Are refractometers worth the $$?
- Thread starter azreefgirl
- Start date
fender
Active Member
I would also suggest reading the latest issue (2006-12) of the online magazine - reefkeeping (dot) com. There is an article on refractometers and how to make sure they are accurate (they can be just as whacked out of the box as a hydrometer), how to get them accurate and keep them there.
Summary of the article:
Refractometers are a quick and often accurate way to measure the salinity of reef aquarium water. Once checked to be sure that they were made correctly, they may provide years of service, providing they are not dropped onto a hard surface or into an aquarium. As with many devices, however, you sometimes get what you pay for, and sometimes less. Very inexpensive refractometers can be prone to errors and may need to be checked in a solution matching seawater, not just pure freshwater.
Other methods of salinity determination are also quite suitable for reef aquarists. These include conductivity using electronic meters, and specific gravity using floating glass hydrometers. Plastic swing arm hydrometers can be accurate, but seem to be more prone to inaccuracies than electronic meters and glass hydrometers. In general, it is good to calibrate any device used with a seawater standard at least once to confirm its proper operation before relying on it to gauge the salinity in a reef aquarium.
Summary of the article:
Refractometers are a quick and often accurate way to measure the salinity of reef aquarium water. Once checked to be sure that they were made correctly, they may provide years of service, providing they are not dropped onto a hard surface or into an aquarium. As with many devices, however, you sometimes get what you pay for, and sometimes less. Very inexpensive refractometers can be prone to errors and may need to be checked in a solution matching seawater, not just pure freshwater.
Other methods of salinity determination are also quite suitable for reef aquarists. These include conductivity using electronic meters, and specific gravity using floating glass hydrometers. Plastic swing arm hydrometers can be accurate, but seem to be more prone to inaccuracies than electronic meters and glass hydrometers. In general, it is good to calibrate any device used with a seawater standard at least once to confirm its proper operation before relying on it to gauge the salinity in a reef aquarium.
azreefgirl
Member
Ok, everyone's convinced me about the joys of owning a refractometer. I just placed my order for one on this website. I feel like I'm on my way to becoming part of the cool crowd here!
Maybe I'll keep my hydrometer around for decorative purposes...
Maybe I'll keep my hydrometer around for decorative purposes...
1knight164
Member
Originally Posted by ROYAL GANG
hey i used to live in tucson, now i live in shabby ---- town Yuma :hilarious :hilarious
I feel for you. Lived there for 4 years. :help:
hey i used to live in tucson, now i live in shabby ---- town Yuma :hilarious :hilarious
I feel for you. Lived there for 4 years. :help:
royal gang
Active Member
ugh, theres no good fish stores, theres a crappy selection of stores to go, even with the new mall LOL!, if it's not too hot then it gets freezing
handbanana
Member
what is a refractometer? im what you would call a noob i guess. from what it sounds like i should have one. just dont know what it is
gill again68
Active Member
Used to check salinity and yes you should have one if you have a saltwater tank IMO. Google it and read up on it. Come in many price ranges. I got one for around $69.00. In this hobby I call that cheap.
handbanana
Member
Sweet! thanks for the reply. Im going to purchase one. is salinity something that changes on a regular basis?
gill again68
Active Member
You will use it mostly when you mix your salt. If you have a top off system for your tank you will want to make sure you use RODI only and not a salt mix to top off the tank. Reason for this is evaporation does not take salt from the water. So if you add salt water to top off your system your salinity will creep up. I periodically check my salinity in my tank but its usually around water changes. Oh yeah, Mix your salt mix at 24 hrs min prior to putting in your tank.
pezenfuego
Active Member
Yes, yes.
Dear God, yes.
Dear God, yes.
darkslide820
Member
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/Refract...ml#MoreDetails
Anyone have any idea what company this is or if it's reliable? $50
Anyone have any idea what company this is or if it's reliable? $50
noah's nemo
Member
The one from this site is fine.It got me through my hypo with N.P.
I used a glass floating hydro for a couple years before i got my refract.,it was only .002 off.Plastic swing arms = crap.If you can't afford a refract now at least get a good $20 glass hydro.
I used a glass floating hydro for a couple years before i got my refract.,it was only .002 off.Plastic swing arms = crap.If you can't afford a refract now at least get a good $20 glass hydro.
chaseter
Member
Originally Posted by Hurt
http:///forum/post/1884301
Unquestionably yes. A necessity to this hobby IMO. Before I bought mine, my hydrometer was showing 1.025. Then I tested with my refractometer-1.032 :scared: .
HOLY CRAP!
Yeah hydrometers are crap. My water tested at 1.026 one time and I freaked out. 1.032!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yikes.
http:///forum/post/1884301
Unquestionably yes. A necessity to this hobby IMO. Before I bought mine, my hydrometer was showing 1.025. Then I tested with my refractometer-1.032 :scared: .
HOLY CRAP!
Yeah hydrometers are crap. My water tested at 1.026 one time and I freaked out. 1.032!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yikes.
sepulatian
Moderator
Originally Posted by chaseter
http:///forum/post/3240777
HOLY CRAP!
Yeah hydrometers are crap. My water tested at 1.026 one time and I freaked out. 1.032!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yikes.
This never gets old. The same thing happened to me years ago when I bought my refractometer. The funny thing is that I was so very meticulous with my readings too. I checked several times per day to make sure that my hydrometer read 1.026. Then I bought my refractometer from here, yeowza!!! I was shocked! Most definitely buy a refractometer.
http:///forum/post/3240777
HOLY CRAP!
Yeah hydrometers are crap. My water tested at 1.026 one time and I freaked out. 1.032!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yikes.
This never gets old. The same thing happened to me years ago when I bought my refractometer. The funny thing is that I was so very meticulous with my readings too. I checked several times per day to make sure that my hydrometer read 1.026. Then I bought my refractometer from here, yeowza!!! I was shocked! Most definitely buy a refractometer.
chaseter
Member
I try to keep my tank at 1.025 but 1.032!?
I did have a hydrometer when I had a biocube but since it has a hood, there is little to no evaporation so it stayed pretty constant. I made sure to get a refractometer when I got my rimless tank because that thing likes to guzzle RO water.
I did have a hydrometer when I had a biocube but since it has a hood, there is little to no evaporation so it stayed pretty constant. I made sure to get a refractometer when I got my rimless tank because that thing likes to guzzle RO water.
