HELP... Mixing saltwater question

tx reef

tx reef

Active Member
Whatever....it's not my fault you don't know what you are talking about.
Dr. Randy Holmes-Farley did several tests with swing arm hydrometers, floating glass hydrometers, and salt/brine refractometers. His results were that the hydrometers are every bit as accurate as these refractometers. Care to argue with him? If you have never heard of him, then I suggest you do some reading.
The refractometers (like the one sold on this site) are not as accurate as people make them out to be. They are salt/brine refractometers. You would have to spend quit a bit more money to get a refractometer made for testing seawater.
Neither the hydrometer or the refractometers (the ones mainly used in the hobby) are any better than the other. The refractometer is just easier to use.
Do some research....read some articles...get some personel experience...then get back to me.
 
tx reef

tx reef

Active Member
Originally Posted by Darthtang AW
I am not going to argue any further about this...You claimed the Hydrometers were 100% accurate.

Re-read the posts I made...I never stated that a hydrometer was 100% accurate. I only said they are every bit as accurate as a salt/brine refractometer....
 
darthtang aw

darthtang aw

Active Member
Originally Posted by TX Reef
Whatever....it's not my fault you don't know what you are talking about.
Dr. Randy Holmes-Farley did several tests with swing arm hydrometers, floating glass hydrometers, and salt/brine refractometers. His results were that the hydrometers are every bit as accurate as these refractometers. Care to argue with him? If you have never heard of him, then I suggest you do some reading.
The refractometers (like the one sold on this site) are not as accurate as people make them out to be. They are salt/brine refractometers. You would have to spend quit a bit more money to get a refractometer made for testing seawater.
Neither the hydrometer or the refractometers (the ones mainly used in the hobby) are any better than the other. The refractometer is just easier to use.
Do some research....read some articles...get some personel experience...then get back to me.


Excuse me? My experience in this hobby needs to increase before I can hold a discussion with you?. Obviously my time away from this site and the new name has confused some that I am actually a Newbie to this Hobby....Sorry not the case.
Did I mention which refractometer I was referring to. Probably not...Yes I use one's designed for seawater. These are the one's I back and claim to be more accurate that Hydrometers...
I can give you the name of one scientist that says Global warming is a myth also contrary to every other scientist in the world. You give me one expert I can give ten others that say opposite. Means nothing. Bottomline, a refractometer (designed for seawater) is more accurate than a hydrometer. The refractometer's come with direction and how to calibrate them. I have yet to see a hydrometer sold with a chart to factor in elevation and temperature. So therefore...It is better for the average hobbyist to use a refractometer as it reduces their room for error.
Thank you and have a nice day. I am sure your "self-proclaimed" experience is far superior to mine so I will no longer argue with you. You are fish god and all knowing.
{Sarcasm off}
 
darthtang aw

darthtang aw

Active Member
Oh, and before I forget. You asked a question. Farley is one of the chemists over at reef central. If I remember right he has owned a reef tank for 10 or 15 years now. Yeah, he is definitely an expert.
 
tx reef

tx reef

Active Member
Originally Posted by Darthtang AW
Excuse me? My experience in this hobby needs to increase before I can hold a discussion with you?. Obviously my time away from this site and the new name has confused some that I am actually a Newbie to this Hobby....Sorry not the case.
Bottomline, a refractometer (designed for seawater) is more accurate than a hydrometer. The refractometer's come with direction and how to calibrate them. I have yet to see a hydrometer sold with a chart to factor in elevation and temperature. So therefore...It is better for the average hobbyist to use a refractometer as it reduces their room for error.
Thank you and have a nice day. I am sure your "self-proclaimed" experience is far superior to mine so I will no longer argue with you. You are fish god and all knowing.
{Sarcasm off}

I agree with everything you posted here (except that first remark). Just because one has a lot of posts or has been on a message board for a long time does not make them any more experienced or knowledgeable about anything.
My point, the entire time, was that a salt/brine refractometer is not any more accurate than a hydrometer. I am not saying anything different than you.....
Not everyone can afford the extra $40 - $50 for a refractometer. Yes the refractometer is easier to use (as I stated earlier..that is why I got one). The point is that salt/brine refractometers are not more accurate than hydrometers when people make the proper adjustments for temperature.
It is really not all that hard, just more time consuming....all you have to know how to do is read a chart and add/subtract.
By the way, Eric Borneman also did a study with hydrometers and salt/brine refractometers and his results were the same as Farleys. I would suggest that you do not talk down about these 2 people...they have done a lot for our hobby and are extremely knowledgeable.
Yes, refractometers (salt/brine) are easier to use, but the same results can be reached with a hydrometer.
I never said that hydrometers are more accurate than seawater refractometers as I continued to state that I was only comparing them to salt/brine refratometers.
 
darthtang aw

darthtang aw

Active Member
so we agree basically. I still disagree that hydrometers are as accurate as the refractors mentioned. The key difference is a hydrometer can only measure salinity, not PPT....
 
tx reef

tx reef

Active Member
Originally Posted by Darthtang AW
so we agree basically. I still disagree that hydrometers are as accurate as the refractors mentioned. The key difference is a hydrometer can only measure salinity, not PPT....
Yes, we basically agree...except the hydrometer measures specific gravity and the refractometer measures salinity (which is expressed in ppt).
Nice having a "heated debate" with someone who knows what they are talking about....
 
larryndana

larryndana

Active Member
mostly it doesn't matter which to buy and use. they both work. but you will need a refractometer to do hypo.
***)
 
tx reef

tx reef

Active Member
Originally Posted by larryndana
mostly it doesn't matter which to buy and use. they both work. but you will need a refractometer to do hypo.
***)
No....if you know how to properly use a hydrometer, you can do hypo with it...
It is easier with a refractometer, though.
 
larryndana

larryndana

Active Member
Originally Posted by TX Reef
No....if you know how to properly use a hydrometer, you can do hypo with it...
It is easier with a refractometer, though.
well the reason i say is mine doesn't go low enough for hypo.
 
chellie4u2

chellie4u2

Member
Ok so I have some sorta hitch hicker on my lr that i just got, I going to go take a few pictures here in a moment but I am wondering about one.. it looks like a freaking slug.. I acn't tell weither it has a shell on its back or not but it is the same color as my rock and appears to be cleaning it as a snail would and it moves much faster than a snail... :thinking:
 
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