keith burn
Active Member
tested all my tanks and all at 1.025 to 1.026 cool
don't trust hydrometers!!
- Thread starter ci11337
- Start date
mudplayerx
Active Member
Originally Posted by turbonut
http:///forum/post/2623702
yea fracto's are cool but they can be just as faulty as hydro's everybody uses distilled water to calibrate when they should be using an 35ppt solution. i have a deep six hydro as well as a fracto and belive it or not my hydro is just as accurate as my fracto
Why would you not used distilled water to calibrate? That's what the entire specific gravity equation is based off of.
Actual concentration = Specific Gravity x Purity, where the purity of distilled water is 100% and the specific gravity is 1.
http:///forum/post/2623702
yea fracto's are cool but they can be just as faulty as hydro's everybody uses distilled water to calibrate when they should be using an 35ppt solution. i have a deep six hydro as well as a fracto and belive it or not my hydro is just as accurate as my fracto
Why would you not used distilled water to calibrate? That's what the entire specific gravity equation is based off of.
Actual concentration = Specific Gravity x Purity, where the purity of distilled water is 100% and the specific gravity is 1.
turbonut
Member
Originally Posted by mudplayerx http:///forum/post/2635275
Why would you not used distilled water to calibrate? That's what the entire specific gravity equation is based off of.
Actual concentration = Specific Gravity x Purity, where the purity of distilled water is 100% and the specific gravity is 1.
sorry for answering so late i can go on and on why not to calibrate your fracto with reg water way to much typin and im lazy but i will post this link for everyone to read http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php
Why would you not used distilled water to calibrate? That's what the entire specific gravity equation is based off of.
Actual concentration = Specific Gravity x Purity, where the purity of distilled water is 100% and the specific gravity is 1.
sorry for answering so late i can go on and on why not to calibrate your fracto with reg water way to much typin and im lazy but i will post this link for everyone to read http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php
rockman
Member
Originally Posted by Beth
http:///forum/post/2629148
What brand is it?
Swing arm hydrometers are worse than worthless. They deceive the hobbyist into believing that they are getting accurate readings, when, in reality, the swing arm hydrometer is usually not even in the general ball park of accuracy. Quality glass hydrometers can be good for testing salinity, but, in my view, a refractometer is the only way to go. Don't get those expensive pinpoint monitors either. They too have their accuracy problems. Water to marine animals is like air to us, so you want to get it right. Refractometer.
Couldn't have said it better myself !
http:///forum/post/2629148
What brand is it?
Swing arm hydrometers are worse than worthless. They deceive the hobbyist into believing that they are getting accurate readings, when, in reality, the swing arm hydrometer is usually not even in the general ball park of accuracy. Quality glass hydrometers can be good for testing salinity, but, in my view, a refractometer is the only way to go. Don't get those expensive pinpoint monitors either. They too have their accuracy problems. Water to marine animals is like air to us, so you want to get it right. Refractometer.
Couldn't have said it better myself !
camfish
Active Member
When I started out I got a floating glass hydrometer that promised excellent accuracy. Luckily I found this forum and learned about how much better refractometers are before I got livestock. Now my refractometer is reading 1.024 when my hydrometer reads 1.019. Not only is it more accurate, it is easier to read. While refractometers triumph, they still aren't perfect. There is always a tad bit of evaporation no matter what making your readings slightly higher than what they actually are.
forcrz6
Member
Ok Dont think I am the bad guy here please.
I have used a swing arm since day 1 over 3 years ago. I Never had a problem.
(((until
I got a new Refractometer.
I honestly dont know how my fish lived. I Kept my tank at 1.25 to 1.26 on the swing arm.
Well I got a Refractometer.
I went ahead and 0ed out the meter. I then took my first test.
OMG the level was at 1.32
Needless to say I got the level down over a 2 day period as to not stress the fish anymore then they were.
So yes Swing arms are JUNK. Please do not use them.
I have used a swing arm since day 1 over 3 years ago. I Never had a problem.
(((until
I got a new Refractometer.
I honestly dont know how my fish lived. I Kept my tank at 1.25 to 1.26 on the swing arm.
Well I got a Refractometer.
I went ahead and 0ed out the meter. I then took my first test.
OMG the level was at 1.32
Needless to say I got the level down over a 2 day period as to not stress the fish anymore then they were.
So yes Swing arms are JUNK. Please do not use them.
jerryatrick
Active Member
Originally Posted by forcrz6
http:///forum/post/2652701
Ok Dont think I am the bad guy here please.
I have used a swing arm since day 1 over 3 years ago. I Never had a problem.
(((until
I got a new Refractometer.
I honestly dont know how my fish lived. I Kept my tank at 1.25 to 1.26 on the swing arm.
Well I got a Refractometer.
I went ahead and 0ed out the meter. I then took my first test.
OMG the level was at 1.32
Needless to say I got the level down over a 2 day period as to not stress the fish anymore then they were.
So yes Swing arms are JUNK. Please do not use them.
Ok, I am convinced. I just bought one. Had that bad boy overnighted because I just raised my SG from 1.021 to 1.025 over the past few weeks. God only knows what it really is at.
http:///forum/post/2652701
Ok Dont think I am the bad guy here please.
I have used a swing arm since day 1 over 3 years ago. I Never had a problem.
(((until
I got a new Refractometer.
I honestly dont know how my fish lived. I Kept my tank at 1.25 to 1.26 on the swing arm.
Well I got a Refractometer.
I went ahead and 0ed out the meter. I then took my first test.
OMG the level was at 1.32
Needless to say I got the level down over a 2 day period as to not stress the fish anymore then they were.
So yes Swing arms are JUNK. Please do not use them.
Ok, I am convinced. I just bought one. Had that bad boy overnighted because I just raised my SG from 1.021 to 1.025 over the past few weeks. God only knows what it really is at.
camfish
Active Member
Look for ATC. That stands for automatic temperature compensation or something...anyway, it will adjust for the temperature. Get one that doesn't have metal on the hinges if you can. If it has metal, don't immediately stop considering it, but over time the metal will rust. Good luck.
natclanwy
Active Member
Originally Posted by camfish
http:///forum/post/2653732
Look for ATC. That stands for automatic temperature compensation or something...anyway, it will adjust for the temperature. Get one that doesn't have metal on the hinges if you can. If it has metal, don't immediately stop considering it, but over time the metal will rust. Good luck.
The metal on the hinge is okay just need to take the time to rinse it with fresh water to remove any salt residue instead of just wiping it off. The rust doesn't really effect anything just makes it more difficult to put the lid down without trapping airbubbles under it. A little WD-40 cured mine though.
http:///forum/post/2653732
Look for ATC. That stands for automatic temperature compensation or something...anyway, it will adjust for the temperature. Get one that doesn't have metal on the hinges if you can. If it has metal, don't immediately stop considering it, but over time the metal will rust. Good luck.
The metal on the hinge is okay just need to take the time to rinse it with fresh water to remove any salt residue instead of just wiping it off. The rust doesn't really effect anything just makes it more difficult to put the lid down without trapping airbubbles under it. A little WD-40 cured mine though.
camfish
Active Member
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2654102
The metal on the hinge is okay just need to take the time to rinse it with fresh water to remove any salt residue instead of just wiping it off. The rust doesn't really effect anything just makes it more difficult to put the lid down without trapping airbubbles under it. A little WD-40 cured mine though.
http:///forum/post/2654102
The metal on the hinge is okay just need to take the time to rinse it with fresh water to remove any salt residue instead of just wiping it off. The rust doesn't really effect anything just makes it more difficult to put the lid down without trapping airbubbles under it. A little WD-40 cured mine though.
nordy
Active Member
After using swing arm hydrometers for years, I finally got a refractometer a couple of weeks ago. I calibrated it, using distilled water, the room temp was 71.5 degrees, and the difference between the 2 tools was in my opinion insignificant- 1.025 to 1.0255, and that difference was difficult to observe.
I like the refractometer because it is easier to use and comes with the cool case, but after running a total of 6 tests every one, over a two day period, came out as noted above. I will never go back to the hydrometer, but it sure wasn't as bad as some people have reported.
I like the refractometer because it is easier to use and comes with the cool case, but after running a total of 6 tests every one, over a two day period, came out as noted above. I will never go back to the hydrometer, but it sure wasn't as bad as some people have reported.
natclanwy
Active Member
Originally Posted by Nordy
http:///forum/post/2654180
After using swing arm hydrometers for years, I finally got a refractometer a couple of weeks ago. I calibrated it, using distilled water, the room temp was 71.5 degrees, and the difference between the 2 tools was in my opinion insignificant- 1.025 to 1.0255, and that difference was difficult to observe.
I like the refractometer because it is easier to use and comes with the cool case, but after running a total of 6 tests every one, over a two day period, came out as noted above. I will never go back to the hydrometer, but it sure wasn't as bad as some people have reported.
Consider yourself lucky you have the one out of I would guess ten swing arm hydrometers that reads correctly. I have had several over the years and each one read differently than the other I finally purchased a refractometer a couple of years ago and when tested against the 4 hydrometers I had with my 1.025 tank water I had readings from 1.021 to 1.030 and only one of which was close it read 1.026.
http:///forum/post/2654180
After using swing arm hydrometers for years, I finally got a refractometer a couple of weeks ago. I calibrated it, using distilled water, the room temp was 71.5 degrees, and the difference between the 2 tools was in my opinion insignificant- 1.025 to 1.0255, and that difference was difficult to observe.
I like the refractometer because it is easier to use and comes with the cool case, but after running a total of 6 tests every one, over a two day period, came out as noted above. I will never go back to the hydrometer, but it sure wasn't as bad as some people have reported.
Consider yourself lucky you have the one out of I would guess ten swing arm hydrometers that reads correctly. I have had several over the years and each one read differently than the other I finally purchased a refractometer a couple of years ago and when tested against the 4 hydrometers I had with my 1.025 tank water I had readings from 1.021 to 1.030 and only one of which was close it read 1.026.
camfish
Active Member
Originally Posted by gotcrabs?
http:///forum/post/2655475
just set it up and then whatch the livestock. They will tell you what they like and don't like. There really is no need to go out and buy a refract, unless you just want to be cool.
you're joking, right?
http:///forum/post/2655475
just set it up and then whatch the livestock. They will tell you what they like and don't like. There really is no need to go out and buy a refract, unless you just want to be cool.
you're joking, right?
nordy
Active Member
Originally Posted by gotcrabs?
http:///forum/post/2655475
just set it up and then whatch the livestock. They will tell you what they like and don't like. There really is no need to go out and buy a refract, unless you just want to be cool.
I do have to disagree with your post above-watching your livestock as an indicator of sg/salinity is not a good way to go. Your tank could suffer, and by the time you see something happening to your livestock, a lot of damage may have already occurred. Certainly, we all watch our tanks and the inhabitants as a matter of course, observing conditions, but IMO precision in maintaining water parameters is absolutely critical and will make the difference between a tank that is doing OK and one that thrives. There are things in this hobby that we can not control due to unforseen circumstances such as "acts of God" or equipment failures and these things can cause problems that we just have to deal with when they happen.
Other things, that we can control, can have a much greater effect on our tanks and testing for and maintaining quality water parameters is where precision and tight control can and should be exercised.
As noted by natclanwy, I may have been lucky with the hydrometer that I compared against my new refractometer, but I have had a number of hydrometers over the years, some that were eaten by the dog, and have no idea how those old cheapo ones performed vs. the refractometer. Short of being able to test each hydrometer against a good qualiy refractometer, it is a good thing to go with better tools, no matter what your hobby is. Cheap is not always best and is often more expensive in the long run.
http:///forum/post/2655475
just set it up and then whatch the livestock. They will tell you what they like and don't like. There really is no need to go out and buy a refract, unless you just want to be cool.
I do have to disagree with your post above-watching your livestock as an indicator of sg/salinity is not a good way to go. Your tank could suffer, and by the time you see something happening to your livestock, a lot of damage may have already occurred. Certainly, we all watch our tanks and the inhabitants as a matter of course, observing conditions, but IMO precision in maintaining water parameters is absolutely critical and will make the difference between a tank that is doing OK and one that thrives. There are things in this hobby that we can not control due to unforseen circumstances such as "acts of God" or equipment failures and these things can cause problems that we just have to deal with when they happen.
Other things, that we can control, can have a much greater effect on our tanks and testing for and maintaining quality water parameters is where precision and tight control can and should be exercised.
As noted by natclanwy, I may have been lucky with the hydrometer that I compared against my new refractometer, but I have had a number of hydrometers over the years, some that were eaten by the dog, and have no idea how those old cheapo ones performed vs. the refractometer. Short of being able to test each hydrometer against a good qualiy refractometer, it is a good thing to go with better tools, no matter what your hobby is. Cheap is not always best and is often more expensive in the long run.
jerryatrick
Active Member
Originally Posted by camfish
http:///forum/post/2655525
you're joking, right?
You do realize that some people have great luck. I am not one of those people unfortunately so I test but I do know a few. Some people in SW test parameters and are precautious in the beginning and after a few years are confident that what they do works. What happens then? They stop testing and trust themselves. Not always but it is human nature for some of us to get overconfident and lazy. This guy never said that he didn't check to see if his power heads were running or if his skimmer wasn't skimming. I compare this to the people that don't do water changes yet everything survives. Could these tanks be healthier? I think so.
http:///forum/post/2655525
you're joking, right?
You do realize that some people have great luck. I am not one of those people unfortunately so I test but I do know a few. Some people in SW test parameters and are precautious in the beginning and after a few years are confident that what they do works. What happens then? They stop testing and trust themselves. Not always but it is human nature for some of us to get overconfident and lazy. This guy never said that he didn't check to see if his power heads were running or if his skimmer wasn't skimming. I compare this to the people that don't do water changes yet everything survives. Could these tanks be healthier? I think so.