Hydrometer vs. Refractometer

[SSalty]

Kind of an interesting read.

Reef Central Online Community - A WARNING to all those using hydrometers

What do you use?

 

[Bifferwine]

Switched to a refractometer a long time ago.

 

[Piggy]

I use a hydometer got two different ones. Got the other on my Christmas list.

 

[poppinfresh]

you have to be careful with a refractometer also. I had a suspicion that mine was off because the tank read 1.030 and RO/DI measured .004. I checked it against another refractometer I had and sure enough the first one must have wandered.

Its not a bad idea to reference against a friends or good LFSs from time to time. These devices are not perfect and they will vary over time.

 

[kevinsimons]

I use a refractometer - the 2 hydrometers I purchased when I started the tank had this very annoying habit of wandering indicators - which didn't work for me... what exactly was the true SG? 1.021 or 1.025? The needle would waver that far... the Refractometer I purchased can (and should) be calibrated, which eliminate erroneous readings. It is spot-on accurate.

 

[yote]

I bought a refractometer about a month after I started the hobby.
kevins right about calibrating them.I check mine with RO water every time,before I test my tank with it.

 

[McCrary]

I don't think that you would need to calibrate it every time, I calibrate mine about once a month and it doesn't seem to need any real adjustment.

 

[MikMcgyver]

I adjust mine 1 time a month..If it needs it. Its never really far off either, just a tick or 2

 

[Bifferwine]

I don't think that you would need to calibrate it every time, I calibrate mine about once a month and it doesn't seem to need any real adjustment.

This is Yote we're talking about. He tests his water every day :).

 

[McCrary]

Lol, I know a couple guys like that, but they almost always have gorgeous tanks and I doubt Yote is an exception.

 

[SSalty]

Where did you guys get your refractometers?

 

[Bifferwine]

I got mine on sale at Pet Supplies, Dog Supplies, Cat Supplies, Pet Meds & Pet Products: Drs. Foster & Smith Pet Supplies. I think I paid $40 for it.

 

[yote]

I got mine at the LFS.Only cost me 30 bucks though.

 

[McCrary]

poppinfresh- Are you on RC with the avatar of that 70"s painter?

 

[MikMcgyver]

Refractometer, think mine is a milwakee, like $50 or so...

 

[poppinfresh]

poppinfresh- Are you on RC with the avatar of that 70"s painter?

yeah thats me with the Bob Ross pic. I used it just to be funny, but its really grown on me.