Hydrometer is seriously that inconsistent?

[evilfishtank]

Mixed my own water 2 days ago. Tested with a deep six hydrometer that i let cure. It seems i cannot get the same reading twice... I know hydrometer isnt the best choice but i cannot get anything as of right now. I just cannot believe i cannot get 2+ readings the same...

 

[pezenfuego]

Yeah, comparing a deep 6 to a refractometer is like comparing a hotwheel to a real car...
Try to get a refractometer or at least a floating hydrometer asap. Consistency is important. Make sure that there aren't any bubbles in your hydrometer too.

 

[yosemite sam]

Yup, you're currently experiencing why hydrometers aren't worth buying. You can find decent refractometers that aren't too expensive. They are well worth it in the long run.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by evilfishtank
http:///forum/post/3034189
Mixed my own water 2 days ago. Tested with a deep six hydrometer that i let cure. It seems i cannot get the same reading twice... I know hydrometer isnt the best choice but i cannot get anything as of right now. I just cannot believe i cannot get 2+ readings the same...
I hate. hate, hate the deep six. You have to soak them in saltwater for 24 hours before use. They do not work right.
Most here use a refratometer. I use the red sea brand of hydrometer. Mind you my first red sea was messed up too. Have them test it at the store before you buy it.

 

[johnvic]

I am new also. When I bought my tank I bought a Deep Six but afterwards was warned that the accuracy is not great. So I bought a Instant Ocean swing arm hydrometer. My LFS uses one also and they get different readings on my sample water than I got. I use to be a home brewer and have a glass hydrometer and now use that. If I need to make a quick approximate mesurement, such as when making saltwater for water changes, I use the swing arm because it is quicker. But when do tank tests I use the glass hydrometer.

 

[17cuddlefish]

Yeah yosimite Sam is right. I was able to get my refractometer for only $45 shiped. You just have to look around.

 

[evilfishtank]

thanks for the replies. atleast i know im not doing anything horribly wrong. will try and get a replacement soon.

 

[pezenfuego]

Originally Posted by 17cuddlefish
http:///forum/post/3034234
Yeah yosimite Sam is right. I was able to get my refractometer for only $45 shiped. You just have to look around.
Yeah, I got mine for 30. Found one from a company that makes them. No brand name or anything. 30 dollars and free shipping straight from Japan. Works perfectly. The bay is a good place to start.

 

[evilfishtank]

lol. i appreciate your help i will start looking in the bay.

 

[nordy]

While I agree that refractometers are better, My experience with both is that a good hydrometer, used properly, is very, very, close to the readings I get with my refractometer-I have done repeated readings with both, from the same tank, at the same time, and they are the same, withing .002 plus or minus almost every time.

 

[pezenfuego]

Originally Posted by Nordy
http:///forum/post/3034532
While I agree that refractometers are better, My experience with both is that a good hydrometer, used properly, is very, very, close to the readings I get with my refractometer-I have done repeated readings with both, from the same tank, at the same time, and they are the same, withing .002 plus or minus almost every time.
I agree on the assumption that you are talking about floating hydrometers. Floating hydrometers are usually fairly accurate it you compensate for temperature. However, since refractometers have ATC, you don't have to worry about the temperature of the water screwing up your results. Refractometers are worth the investment imo.

 

[nordy]

Originally Posted by PEZenfuego
http:///forum/post/3034542
I agree on the assumption that you are talking about floating hydrometers. Floating hydrometers are usually fairly accurate it you compensate for temperature. However, since refractometers have ATC, you don't have to worry about the temperature of the water screwing up your results. Refractometers are worth the investment imo.
I agree that refractometers are worth the investment. I got mine mainly as a way to confirm readings that I had relied on for years, from a swing arm basic hydrometer. I had gotten a sense from reading many posts on the subject that hydrometers were not that far off from refractometers and my personal experience with both is that they are very close. I totally rely on my refractometer but I like the swing arm hydrometer for fast and easy readings when I am mixing up water in 5G buckets for changes.

 

[evilfishtank]

well i dipped my deep six in and hung it on the wall sitting there full of saltwater for 24 hours and now all the readings im getting are moderatly close.. all around .023. but all are within the little bracket area so i feel ok.