refractometer question

[janastasio]

Looking at purchasing a refractometer. Looking on the ever popular bidding place. My question is should the refractometer come with a calibrating solution? How do you know the calibration is accurate? I have seen some that come with a screwdriver for calibrating and a few others that have a knob. I want to know if I can spend the least to get what I need or if I need to spend more on the higher models. Are they all essentially the same or are there specific features I should be looking for? Thanks in advance!

 

[sign guy]

imho the sollution is junk the one on here is the best imo you can calibrate it with rodi water and with out a screwdriver pluss its one of the best prices Ive seen

 

[adictedtoswf]

Originally Posted by sign guy
imho the sollution is junk the one on here is the best imo you can calibrate it with rodi water and with out water pluss its one of the best prices Ive seen
I am also looking for one, but this site nolonger has it for sale.

 

[sepulatian]

I bought mine on this site for $39.99 it comes pre-calibrated.

 

[janastasio]

I looked on this site. Could not locate it. Looked under aquarium supplies. Its not there. Should I be looking somewhere else on this site?

 

[larryndana]

Originally Posted by sign guy
imho the sollution is junk the one on here is the best imo you can calibrate it with rodi water and with out water pluss its one of the best prices Ive seen
i was sold by your post, but like Adictedtoswf said....they don't sell them here anymore.
oh well.

 

[larryndana]

i almost got one once when i ordered, but didn't....lol

 

[sign guy]

thats odd my lfs was going to get some and they were cheaper here than they were at his wholeseller so I showed it to him? Im sure it will be back up soon alot of people got them here

 

[janastasio]

Arrrrrrg!!! (LOL) Ok, so back to my original question, whats the differnce between these bad boys! Do I not want to buy one that has this

[hr]
driver for calibrating, or do I, what am I looking for? I want to order one ASAP. Ive been using a swingarm and the more I read about the discrepancies on these things the more I'm a little scared about what my salinity and SG could actually be in my tanks!

 

[sign guy]

I dont think to highly of those paticular refratometers Id stick to the hooby sites and get one like the one on this site

 

[janastasio]

Do you know what the name brand was on that one?

 

[sign guy]

the name is not on it. but it is on the case out in the garage. I have to sort through the stuff tomorow so when I find it ill let you know

 

[sepulatian]

Do they not sell it on here anymore? I just looked and could not find it either. I did not see any instruments for measuring salinity nor specific gravity. Maybe a mod will pop in and let us know what it is under.

 

[sign guy]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
Do they not sell it on here anymore? I just looked and could not find it either.
wierd isnt it

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by sign guy
wierd isnt it
Yeah, it is. Mine is great. It was a great price as well. I don't understand why they would not carry them anymore.

 

[janastasio]

I've heard everyone on this site speak very highly on the one that was sold here. It was the first place I looked. I dont want to spend $130 on one. $80-$140 seems to be the going rate on the hobby sites. I'm finding them from $20-$50 on the bidding site. If they are essentially the same then I'd rather save the bucks! Can put that into coral!!!

 

[sign guy]

Originally Posted by janastasio
I've heard everyone on this site speak very highly on the one that was sold here. It was the first place I looked. I dont want to spend $130 on one. $80-$140 seems to be the going rate on the hobby sites. I'm finding them from $20-$50 on the bidding site. If they are essentially the same then I'd rather save the bucks! Can put that into coral!!!

not searching hard enough I know I say it on another site for around the same price but youll have to find it through google

 

[janastasio]

OK, so I have spent a few hours researching refractometers on google. I went to countless sights, half sold them, half didnt. Anyway, my research shows that they are no different than what I'm seeing on the ever popular bidding sight. They are usually calibrated with distilled water. Multiple people say on this sight that the one that was sold on SWF.com was already calibrated, so I'm not sure if these are or not, but none of the ones I've read about say that they are already calibrated. So, my decision is that I'm going to bid on one and try and get a good deal. Wish me luck, and thanks for all the input!

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by janastasio
OK, so I have spent a few hours researching refractometers on google. I went to countless sights, half sold them, half didnt. Anyway, my research shows that they are no different than what I'm seeing on the ever popular bidding sight. They are usually calibrated with distilled water. Multiple people say on this sight that the one that was sold on SWF.com was already calibrated, so I'm not sure if these are or not, but none of the ones I've read about say that they are already calibrated. So, my decision is that I'm going to bid on one and try and get a good deal. Wish me luck, and thanks for all the input!
I got a real good one from the two doctors site... very good value accurate and very easy to use! With its own carrying case.

 

[sepulatian]

I just spoke with someone that says it must be a temporary thing that this site isn't currently selling them. The one from here comes with a case too, of course. If the docs have them then that would be the next best. Check the price. It should not be more than $50 without shipping.