Swing are Hydrometers... and why they stink

[Piazzon12]

I've been having a few issues with my tank lately... and everything was testing fine. Since PH and SG are the two tests I trust the least, I purchased a refractometer and a PH Probe. I ATO kalk, so I was worried about high pH swings.

My swing arm hydro (Red Sea) read 1.25 and the refracto was 1.29. So I think I found at least part of my problem.

I'm still monitoring PH, but havent seen anything too crazy yet... but I guess that will depend on evaporation rates.

Needless to say...I am now a member of the swing-arms are junk club.

 

[Piazzon12]

Also, does anyone know where to get PH cal solutions anywhere locally?

 

[Kent E]

They are junk! Welcome to the club! The places we live there is no such thing as local. Ha ha.

 

[Dave VG]

I bought my refractometer a few months back. Damm swing arms. Mine was off 2 points to the low side.

 

[mickela]

welcome to the no more arms club

 

[xenia2]

I'm still using an old hydrometer. Adam, what was your problem as the result from wrong parameter?

 

[Piazzon12]

some SPS were losing color and some had some necrosis at the base... but I'm not sure that SG was the real issue yet

 

[Kent E]

I had hydrometers that were off by 5. I think they cause more problems than people realize.

 

[drbronx]

I'm glad you came over to check the calibration of your refractometer. In so doing, I learned that my swing arm was off by the exact same amount as Adam's. Both of us were using Coralife's Deep Six swing arm hydrometer. From now on, I will only use my refractometer. By the way, my favorite sps, Tyrees Ponape Rosaria LE suddenly RTNd. Possibly my higher salinity was the culprit.