hydrometers vs refractometer

bgbdwlf2500

bgbdwlf2500

Member
as suggested on here i got one of the 45.00 refractometers because general consensus is the hydrometers are not accurate.
here are the comparisons between the refract and the hydros.
Refractometer reading is 1.025
Instant ocean hydro reading 1.026
Coralife Deep 6 hydro reading is 1.023
ive trusted the IO since i got into the hobby and now i can see why. its pretty darn accurate. first use on the coralife i didnt trust it.
just throwing out some info, hope it helps.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Initial readings can be deceiving hydrometers are only as good as your maintenance on them is. Also and air bubbles no matter how small that cling to the swing arm will alter the reading. IMO they are good for a quick read where you just want to be in the ball park much the same way as strip testers are for water quality
 
kevintheshrimp

kevintheshrimp

Member
Thanks man I have been curious to whats all the hype about!!! I use the IO and I like it a lot. easy to use and quick. question for you though... Is there a system out there that has a way to tell you are SG/salitiny/temp/or any other things on one LCD or something?
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
I have not seen any retail units that are with in the means of the home aquarist if your question was directed to me
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
One more thought on hydrometers. As with anything that has moving parts if you are dealing with salt water and you do not remove all residue of salt from the point of motion on your swing arm you will alter the reading
 
bgbdwlf2500

bgbdwlf2500

Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2656605
Initial readings can be deceiving hydrometers are only as good as your maintenance on them is. Also and air bubbles no matter how small that cling to the swing arm will alter the reading. IMO they are good for a quick read where you just want to be in the ball park much the same way as strip testers are for water quality
yep very true took me a while to figure out why the readings were of the scale..lol if the refractometer is the be all end all for readings, now i know how far off my hydro was so i know exactly what the reading is on the hydro, if it reads 1.026 its really 1.025 so now ive got a refractometer that i dont really need but will keep it of course.
Originally Posted by KevinTheShrimp
http:///forum/post/2656607
Thanks man I have been curious to whats all the hype about!!! I use the IO and I like it a lot. easy to use and quick. question for you though... Is there a system out there that has a way to tell you are SG/salitiny/temp/or any other things on one LCD or something?
not that i know of and as already said it would be expensive
Originally Posted by KevinTheShrimp
http:///forum/post/2656618
what do you use to test your water? including ammonia and nitrates ect.?
i just use the API liquid kits...no strips, they are just to check quickly..
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2656619
One more thought on hydrometers. As with anything that has moving parts if you are dealing with salt water and you do not remove all residue of salt from the point of motion on your swing arm you will alter the reading
very true i rinse after every use
 
camfish

camfish

Active Member
Originally Posted by KevinTheShrimp
http:///forum/post/2656618
what do you use to test your water? including ammonia and nitrates ect.?
SG, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, phosphates, calcium, alkalinity, temperature, alkalinity, pH, and for some reason I feel I am forgetting something.
EDIT: read the question wrong...I use API too, but am looking into switching to salifert.
 
bgbdwlf2500

bgbdwlf2500

Member
Originally Posted by camfish
http:///forum/post/2656630
SG, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, phosphates, calcium, alkalinity, temperature, alkalinity, pH, and for some reason I feel I am forgetting something.
EDIT: read the question wrong...I use API too, but am looking into switching to salifert.
never had any issues with API.. (ie dead fish from an inaccurate reading)
 
kevintheshrimp

kevintheshrimp

Member
thanks! I know what to test for lol but thanks... I was just curriuos what methods of testing you guys prefer, I use the liquid with the test tubes, for some reason the nitrite mixture stuff really bothers my hands if i get it on me, get real itchy and red. I was just curious because i am paranoid and I test my water ever 2 or 3 days, and was looking for an easier way :)
EDIT: oh I just read your edit!!! lol cool thanks I dont know the brand I use I will check when I get home from work... but i want the best test kits for my tank :)
 
bgbdwlf2500

bgbdwlf2500

Member
Originally Posted by KevinTheShrimp
http:///forum/post/2656635
thanks! I know what to test for lol but thanks... I was just curriuos what methods of testing you guys prefer, I use the liquid with the test tubes, for some reason the nitrite mixture stuff really bothers my hands if i get it on me, get real itchy and red. I was just curious because i am paranoid and I test my water ever 2 or 3 days, and was looking for an easier way :)
find a tray that you can do all your tests on at once. what i do is fill the "holes" with the test solution. i use a big syringe with 5ml marking which is what most tests require. just squeeze in 5ml into each solution one at a time and stir them up. i can test 5 or 6 tests in a few mins that way. dont know what to tell you about the nitrite. must be allergic to something in it
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by bgbdwlf2500
http:///forum/post/2656629
yep very true took me a while to figure out why the readings were of the scale..lol if the refractometer is the be all end all for readings, now i know how far off my hydro was so i know exactly what the reading is on the hydro, if it reads 1.026 its really 1.025 so now ive got a refractometer that i dont really need but will keep it of course.
not that i know of and as already said it would be expensive
i just use the API liquid kits...no strips, they are just to check quickly..
very true i rinse after every use
My friend let me ask you this, do you rinse with RO water. In my early days in this hobby I used a hydrometer. I would test go over to my sink and wash it with tap water. The result was mineral deposits on the swing arm giving me a lower then accurate reading. One way to avoid this is to soak the hydrometer in white wine vinegar from time to time for 30 min.
 
bgbdwlf2500

bgbdwlf2500

Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2656762
My friend let me ask you this, do you rinse with RO water. In my early days in this hobby I used a hydrometer. I would test go over to my sink and wash it with tap water. The result was mineral deposits on the swing arm giving me a higher then accurate reading. One way to avoid this is to soak the hydrometer in white wine vinegar from time to time for 30 min.
nope just use tap water. after 7 months of using it, its only .001 off... and if they arent accurate to start with id say its not dirty but i may rinse it in vinegar to see, it may be dead on
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by bgbdwlf2500
http:///forum/post/2656811
nope just use tap water. after 7 months of using it, its only .001 off... and if they arent accurate to start with id say its not dirty but i may rinse it in vinegar to see, it may be dead on
What are you using to cross-reference it with?
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
NigerBang;2656818 said:
If you are going to swith kits Go with Elos, miles better then Salifert,,[/
Is this the results of some cross testing of brands or just a thought out of a lunatic mind
welcome back my good friend you have been missed next time my aim will be better
Click to expand...
 
nigerbang

nigerbang

Active Member
florida joe;2656822 said:
Originally Posted by NigerBang
http:///forum/post/2656818
If you are going to swith kits Go with Elos, miles better then Salifert,,[/
Is this the results of some cross testing of brands or just a thought out of a lunatic mind
wellcome back my good friend you have been missed next time my aim will be better
lol, I spend alot of time on ARC these days....
Elos is by far the best I have used in years
Click to expand...
 
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