Refractometer? Yes or no?

bonebrake

Active Member
I have yet to purchase the basic necessities for marine aquarium maintenance. Is a refractometer worth the extra dough? Please follow your poll choice with a why or why not. I want to do things right the first time as much as possible to save time, money, pain, and suffering.
 

hot883

Active Member
I finally broke down and bought one off the auction site. My swing arm hydrometer said I was 1.024-25 and the LFS tested it repeatedly at 1.030-31. Thats why I went with one. If a swing arm type is "seasoned" correctly they are supposed to be good. Mine never was. HTH
 

bonebrake

Active Member
Originally Posted by hot883
I finally broke down and bought one off the auction site. My swing arm hydrometer said I was 1.024-25 and the LFS tested it repeatedly at 1.030-31. Thats why I went with one. If a swing arm type is "seasoned" correctly they are supposed to be good. Mine never was. HTH
Did the LFS have a refractometer or a swing arm coming up with a different reading?
 

hot883

Active Member
Originally Posted by Bonebrake
Did the LFS have a refractometer or a swing arm coming up with a different reading?
very well seasoned swing arm. There are ppl that swear by them. In order for a swing arm to be accurate as I said you will need to let it soak in salt water.
But the deal is, 2 LFS checked mine and came up with the same S.G.
 

hot883

Active Member
Originally Posted by Bonebrake
I see, thanks for the reply!

Plus I got tired of tapping it to get the bubbles off the arm etc. Has to sit on a perfectly level space. With a refracto. ;2 sec. I'm done!
 
T

thomas712

Guest
Absolutely worth it, I would be absolutely lost without mine.
 

bonebrake

Active Member
Originally Posted by Thejdshow
Bone Break... you play paintball?
Never tried it. I would love to sometime.
I am big into martial arts and osteopathic manipulative medicine so the name fits.
 

bonebrake

Active Member
Originally Posted by Thejdshow
oh, there was a once pro paintball player who went by the name of bonebreak. just seein what the meaning was.
Bonebrake is actually my last name.
 

ophiura

Active Member
If you are going fish only, I would say....eh, could probably do without. If a reef, absolutely, positively need it...and for a QT with hypo you MUST have one.
 

nm reef

Active Member
Mine ran around $50 and was well worth the expense. I'd definitely vote "YES"......even if it was a Republician supported agenda!!!!
 

wax32

Active Member
My swing arm and my refractometer both give the same reading. The refractometer is WAY easier though, so I vote for the refractometer!
 
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