Hydrometer Question

[andrew01]

Recently I had brought a sample of water to my lfs. When he tested the salt, he got a reading of 1.029 and of course he said that my water was way off. I have always tested my salt with a Deep Six Hydrometer and when I tested my water when I got home from my lfs... I got a reading of 1.023. So I went out and got a different hydrometer, an Instant Ocean by Marine Labs. When I used my new one, I got a reading of 1.028. What gives... My Deep Six is only a couple of months old. Which one do I trust and how can I ensure accurate readings? :notsure:
Thanks

 

[turningtim]

Get rid of both of them. Hydros are consistant at one thing. Being inaccurate! Spend the money and get a refractometer. Highly accurate and you will never have this problem again!
JMO
Tim

 

[bkh_sd]

Here's the golden rule:
Always fill it up and empty 3 times and make sure there's no bubbles. Other than that the biggest cause for missreadings is that people forget that they need to rinse it out after tests with saltwater so there's no buildup residue... But yeah refractometers are best for those who can afford them..

 

[zman1]

https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/188324/tank#post_1405254
You need an accurate point of reference.....

 

[db]

I wouldn't trust anything except a refractometer. I've tested other hydrometers against my refractometer and they are all significantly off.

 

[mcsd22]

Did you season your hydro? It needs to soak in salt water when its first new for 24 hours. then after every use it needs to be rinsed with fresh water. the common mistake is a tiny air buble stuck to the needle. That will give you a lower or higher reading depending on which side of theneedle the bubble is stuck too. Tap the side until there is no bubble on the needle. I have always had reliable readings out of mine.

 

[cgrant]

Do yourself a favor and get rid of that plastic junk!
My deep six was reading 1.022, when my refractometer came in I tested it and got 1.026
At fist I thought no way, somethings up, Turns out what was up was my deep six was junk!
I only use the refractometer now, The hydrometers are just not accurate even when you get all the bubbles off the needle.
They say you can heat them up, etc. but I have better things to do with my time than boil my deep six. :happyfish

 

[tangman99]

Yep. I've been using a swing arm for 8 years. I just got my refractometer and my tank is at 1.028 where my swingarm shows it at 1.023.

 

[majakarot]

I have had problems with the swingarm type, but what about the glass floating type, aren't they consistent?

 

[cgrant]

I bought one cause they were on sale for 4 bucks at *****, It was a combo temp/floating hydrometer.
I had a hard time reading mine cause it bob'd around so much in the tank.

 

[nm reef]

If you want dependable and accurate salinity readings a decent refractometer is the way to go...and they aren't much more expensive than the other options.