Salinity level's.

[Emmasmum]

Hello everyone. I am currently setting up my first marine tank, and I was wondering what the best thing is for a beginner, to use to test the salinity in the water.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[Taahirs]

And refractometer with ATC would probably be your best bet.

 

[Grimreaperz]

I got a glass floating hydrometer. That measures salinity and temp. You float it in the water and it is marked with ideal conditions. It's not as accurate but good enough to get you started for 12-13$

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[pyithar]

and refractometer with atc would probably be your best bet.

+1

Welcome to RC! :wave:

 

[Grimreaperz]

Looks kinda like this. http://m.ebay.com/itm/Steady-Glass-...meter-Salt-Water-Salinity-Meter-/381558468757

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[Emmasmum]

Thank you all for your replies.
Thank you, pyithar.

I will probably annoy the crap out of you all over the next few months/year's.

 

[downbeach]

I would also suggest a refractometer with ATC, but would add a decent calibration solution, similar to this.

 

[gone fishin]

I would also suggest a refractometer with ATC, but would add a decent calibration solution, similar to this.

This

 

[JMorris271]

So hows your sense of taste?:blown:
I jest only because you have good answers already.

 

[Bent]

Ill say something different and vote for get them all.

If you test the same water with a refract, a floater, and a swingarm, youll get 3 different results.

consistency is key over an actual number. The ocean goes through large slow swings on both temp and salinity from what ive read. Its important to be predictable.

 

[Gaxmode]

If you have the money, grab the Milwaukee digital refractometer.

 

[Deleted member 336650]

if you have the money, grab the milwaukee digital refractometer.

+1

 

[Lucangiolig]

If you have the money, grab the Milwaukee digital refractometer.

+1

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[Pigpen17]

Really? My Milwaukee was great for a long time, but now I don't trust it. I have to use a swing arm as well and sort of guess where the accuracy is between the two. Not sure I would buy it again.

 

[Potatohead]

Just buy this;

https://www.amazon.com/Salinity-Ref...&qid=1465917317&sr=8-3&keywords=refractometer

Calibration solution is also good to have, although calibrating with RODI or distilled water is ok too, as stated before just be consistent.

 

[JMorris271]

I purchased that one. The instructions supplied were 100% Chinese.

 

[Bent]

I purchased that one. The instructions supplied were 100% Chinese.

Why do you need instructions for a refract?

 

[Xxero]

I didn't know how to use a refractometer whenever I purchased one either.

Instructions taught me how...:bigeyes:

 

[desjardini]

I got a glass floating hydrometer. That measures salinity and temp. You float it in the water and it is marked with ideal conditions. It's not as accurate but good enough to get you started for 12-13$

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

+1

I've been using one of these for about 17 years now without any problems. As long as the water level lines up somewhere in the green area nobody seems to complain.
If you do get a refractometer though just make sure you are using this tool correctly. False readings can happen with these things.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I got a glass floating hydrometer. That measures salinity and temp. You float it in the water and it is marked with ideal conditions. It's not as accurate but good enough to get you started for 12-13$

That's what I used at the start as well. Life was so much simpler then........