Hydrometer

flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/388205/hydrometer#post_3422512
The better refratometers come with a 35ppt calibration solution.
You can find it at many online stores and auction sites.
You may be spot on but if you get a 35ppt solution then you will know for sure. That said, being off 0.5ppt isn't really all that important unless you are attempting hyposalinity.
Now I will have to find some...it will drive me nuts.
I know $50.00 is a cheap refractometer....but a hydrometer is $6.00. I sware it seems to me they see it's for SW and charge triple.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Bang Guy...
I googled refractometer solution...they say it's just Disstilled water, and using RO/DI or just RO water calibrates it just fine.
I did find some to buy...but for nothing under $20.00 and most want $40.00 and up....
 
reeferchief

reeferchief

Member
I use 2 hydrometers from instant ocean. they both read different. I get my water tested each week and do water changes. They work just fine for me for this purpose. I always get ocean water which is constant 1.025-26. I test hydrometer in that water and then in the DT to get the acurate reading. Usually only off by .01-.02 SG. Microbubbles will throw reading off by a few points. I just flick the side of the hydrometer and all the bubbles go off the needle.
If i was testing my own water i'd get refractometer, but LFS does test and weekly water change doesn't require me to test my own water.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by reeferchief http:///t/388205/hydrometer/20#post_3423050
I use 2 hydrometers from instant ocean. they both read different. I get my water tested each week and do water changes. They work just fine for me for this purpose. I always get ocean water which is constant 1.025-26. I test hydrometer in that water and then in the DT to get the acurate reading. Usually only off by .01-.02 SG. Microbubbles will throw reading off by a few points. I just flick the side of the hydrometer and all the bubbles go off the needle.
If i was testing my own water i'd get refractometer, but LFS does test and weekly water change doesn't require me to test my own water.
I also used the hydrometer for some time. You only NEED a refractometer if you do hypo.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tur4k http:///t/388205/hydrometer/20#post_3423572
Was it glass or plastic? My old instant ocean plastic hydrometer was complete rubbish. I'll never trust a hydrometer again.
Red Sea plastic hydrometer was true and correct for 6 years use and it was still reading correct right on the spot when I purchased the refractometer. Instant Ocean deep six is indeed garbage.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/388205/hydrometer#post_3422137
Calibrating a Chinese built refractometer with RO water will not ensure accuracy. In my humble opinion it should be calibrated with a 35ppt solution.
Is there an American made refractometer? If so... what namebrand. I'd rather buy local when I buy mine.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Kiefers, I noticed your ? mark....
What I mean is this...we want the SG to be constant. up and down is what the sea critters can't tolerate. So if a hydrometer is off by a fraction, so what. Since all your water changes and everything is also off by the that same fraction. It's not a big deal or life threatening....because the SG is still constant. So I really don't think it's necessary to spend $40.00 on a solution to test 35ppt...if my refractometer is off by a Chinese fraction so what...it's still close and constant. If I should ever need to do Hypo, I will cherish Bang Guys advice and spend the cash on a solution to be sure.
When doing hypo you need perfection, you are dropping or raising the SG, you have to lower it just so much each time, and when your done raise it just so much each time...Knowing the exact SG would be critical.
I'm very grateful Bang Guy let me, and all who read this know there is such a thing as 35ppt solution, so we now know how we can check and be sure.
 
slice

slice

Active Member
My 35ppt solution came free with my hydrometer and costs $6 for a replacement bottle. It is not simply RO water, is is SW certified to be at 35ppt.
Perhaps I didn't HAVE to have a refractometer, but I sure feel better about my salinity now.
PS
I had both Red Sea and a Deep 6 hydrometer. The Red Sea was dead on to the refractometer, the Deep 6 is the one that was off, and over 6-8 months, it got worse.
 
tur4k

tur4k

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/388205/hydrometer/20#post_3423670
Is there an American made refractometer? If so... what namebrand. I'd rather buy local when I buy mine.
I use a Milwaukee MR100ATC. I can't find a "made in the usa" sticker on it, but the name suggests that it's American made. On the other hand, for years Arizona ice tea said "product of canada" on the side of their cans. Either way, it seems to be a quality instrument. It claims to automatically correct for temperature and I've never had to recalibrate it. It also allows you to focus by turning the lens.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tur4k http:///t/388205/hydrometer/20#post_3424175
I use a Milwaukee MR100ATC. I can't find a "made in the usa" sticker on it, but the name suggests that it's American made. On the other hand, for years Arizona ice tea said "product of canada" on the side of their cans. Either way, it seems to be a quality instrument. It claims to automatically correct for temperature and I've never had to recalibrate it. It also allows you to focus by turning the lens.
And Santa Fe cast iron skillets are made in china. LOL
Thanks for the advice on the Milwaukee
 
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