Is everybody using a refractometer?

mario

mario

Member
I have been using the cheapo Deep Six Hydrometer but I wonder how accurate this instrument really is.
Last night I measured the salinity in my tank 3 times and got 3 different results, not to mention the times the needle get stucked on maximum or minimum.
Do I need to buy a refractometer?
PS I followed the instructions and "aged" the needle.
 
T

thomas712

Guest
I'm using a refractometer for about 3 years now, I'd never go back to a hydrometer.
 
T

tampausmc

Guest
i bought my refractometer a week ago....way better then my hydrometer
 
S

sinner's girl

Guest
Deep Six Hydrometer
so NOT accurate, husband bought one because that's all the lfs had... the arm of my other one fell into the tank behind rocks...(it was easier to buy a new one than to get the arm)....long story short, the deep 6 was way off, my sg was messed up, I had a guy test it with a refractometer to tell me what my sg really was. Then I got the arm out of the tank and went back to my old one, slowly fixed my sg. The Deep Size wasn't any good, and I followed the instructions.
I want a refractometer, but I don't have the money. I'm asking for one for my b-day. BUT I do know how much the one I use is off by.
 
J

jasondean

Guest
I use a glass hydrometer works good no adjusting. Took it in to lfs and matched it to thiers no problems.
 
pclown

pclown

Member
I bought mine last week because my Hydro Deep Six was so far off that I was not going to take any risk so I spent the that I had for a new coral for my refractometer.
It is great
 
S

sinner's girl

Guest
my Hydro Deep Six was so far off that I was not going to take any risk so
Yep, those things should come with a warning level.
 
cgrant

cgrant

Active Member
i just ordered mine from the big online auction place after hearing/reading of all the horror stories of the deep six pieces of garbage, waste of 13 bucks, but then again 13 bucks in this hobby is nothing.
 
shrimpdady

shrimpdady

Member
Get a floating hydrometer. They work just fine.
The needle hydrometers are a piece of crap.
How come I never see anyone post that they have a floating hydrometer?
 
sarwiz100

sarwiz100

Member
Have a floating hydrometer, a deep six and a refractometer. I use the temp scale in the floater only (it reads 2-4 points low) the deep six is JUNK, different reading EVERY time, and it IS aged. The drs site has a good refractometer for around 40- 50 bucks, and I'll NEVER use anything else again. If you do buy a floater, you should buy only lab quality, and that will run you as much as a refractomoeter, so why not just get the refractometer in the first place.
 
boalgf

boalgf

Member
Hydrometer? More like hydwrongmeter. He he... So yea, that's a vote for refractometers. Especially if you ever need to do hypo. Hydrometers just aren't accurate enough.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by ShrimpDady
Get a floating hydrometer. They work just fine.
The needle hydrometers are a piece of crap.
How come I never see anyone post that they have a floating hydrometer?
There are two sizes and typically only the large size is generally accurate. I believe they are accurate but the big ones are difficult to use because they require calm water.
 
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