jchase1970
Member
will any type of refractometer work? just wondering cause prices are all over the place. Background info - new to salt water tanks trying to get equipment I need to set up tanks.
Refractometer ?
- Thread starter jchase1970
- Start date
veni vidi vici
Active Member
Originally Posted by bswe22
http:///forum/post/3179918
I have been told that you do not really need one unless you are planning on having a reef tank with lots of difficult corals in it.
Floating glass hydrometers work fine but they do have quirks.For instance they are calibrated at certain temps. usually 77 deg.So you will either need to convert the reading to the temp you are testing at or get the water to 77 deg.Also if you plan on treating you fish via hypo its virtually impossible to do it safely with glass hydrometers.
Refractometers are cheap and worth the investment and like reefkprZ recommended , most come with ATC.
http:///forum/post/3179918
I have been told that you do not really need one unless you are planning on having a reef tank with lots of difficult corals in it.
Floating glass hydrometers work fine but they do have quirks.For instance they are calibrated at certain temps. usually 77 deg.So you will either need to convert the reading to the temp you are testing at or get the water to 77 deg.Also if you plan on treating you fish via hypo its virtually impossible to do it safely with glass hydrometers.
Refractometers are cheap and worth the investment and like reefkprZ recommended , most come with ATC.
reefkprz
Active Member
Originally Posted by bswe22
http:///forum/post/3179918
I have been told that you do not really need one unless you are planning on having a reef tank with lots of difficult corals in it.
I tend to disagree with that. fish are quite sensitive to swings in specific gravity, it takes more energy to osmoregulate at higher specific gravities, it also takes energy for a fish to accomodate swings in SG, so by using innacurate equipment your adding stress to your fish. corals are actually not very sensitave to swings in SG at all. as long as its above 1.024 it can go from 1.024 to 1.027 in seconds and a coral wont even cringe. a fish expiriencing the same thing would have a very good chance of dying by being unable to adjust its osmoregulatory process fast enough, or at best being stressed out making its immune system weaker thus encouraging disease.
its the motile invertabretes and fish that tend to be killed by sudden shifts in osmoregulation brought on by shifts in SG. especially echinoderms (sea stars)
http:///forum/post/3179918
I have been told that you do not really need one unless you are planning on having a reef tank with lots of difficult corals in it.
I tend to disagree with that. fish are quite sensitive to swings in specific gravity, it takes more energy to osmoregulate at higher specific gravities, it also takes energy for a fish to accomodate swings in SG, so by using innacurate equipment your adding stress to your fish. corals are actually not very sensitave to swings in SG at all. as long as its above 1.024 it can go from 1.024 to 1.027 in seconds and a coral wont even cringe. a fish expiriencing the same thing would have a very good chance of dying by being unable to adjust its osmoregulatory process fast enough, or at best being stressed out making its immune system weaker thus encouraging disease.
its the motile invertabretes and fish that tend to be killed by sudden shifts in osmoregulation brought on by shifts in SG. especially echinoderms (sea stars)
cranberry
Active Member
Originally Posted by bswe22
http:///forum/post/3179918
I have been told that you do not really need one unless you are planning on having a reef tank with lots of difficult corals in it.
I would find a new source of info.
http:///forum/post/3179918
I have been told that you do not really need one unless you are planning on having a reef tank with lots of difficult corals in it.
I would find a new source of info.
srfisher17
Active Member
Originally Posted by bswe22
http:///forum/post/3179959
This is why I have joined a community. My LFS is not the most Knowledgeable people. Thanks everybody.
I'm glad you discovered that early. The lfs used to be a great source of info, sadly, not any more.
BTW; were they telling you not to get a refractometer and just use a hydrometer, or not to use any SG measuring device at all?
http:///forum/post/3179959
This is why I have joined a community. My LFS is not the most Knowledgeable people. Thanks everybody.
I'm glad you discovered that early. The lfs used to be a great source of info, sadly, not any more.
BTW; were they telling you not to get a refractometer and just use a hydrometer, or not to use any SG measuring device at all?
bswe22
Member
Originally Posted by srfisher17
http:///forum/post/3179967
I'm glad you discovered that early. The lfs used to be a great source of info, sadly, not any more.
BTW; were they telling you not to get a refractometer and just use a hydrometer, or not to use any SG measuring device at all?
They have told me that a hydrometer is just fine. They said refractometers are difficult to use and calibrate. They could not remember the last time they have sold one. I am going to go try the only other LFS in town and get their opinion also. (I mainly go there because I like to look around and think of how to set up my tank)
http:///forum/post/3179967
I'm glad you discovered that early. The lfs used to be a great source of info, sadly, not any more.
BTW; were they telling you not to get a refractometer and just use a hydrometer, or not to use any SG measuring device at all?
They have told me that a hydrometer is just fine. They said refractometers are difficult to use and calibrate. They could not remember the last time they have sold one. I am going to go try the only other LFS in town and get their opinion also. (I mainly go there because I like to look around and think of how to set up my tank)
srfisher17
Active Member
Originally Posted by bswe22
http:///forum/post/3179990
They have told me that a hydrometer is just fine. They said refractometers are difficult to use and calibrate. They could not remember the last time they have sold one. I am going to go try the only other LFS in town and get their opinion also. (I mainly go there because I like to look around and think of how to set up my tank)
It sounds like they don't know how to use one themselves.
http:///forum/post/3179990
They have told me that a hydrometer is just fine. They said refractometers are difficult to use and calibrate. They could not remember the last time they have sold one. I am going to go try the only other LFS in town and get their opinion also. (I mainly go there because I like to look around and think of how to set up my tank)
It sounds like they don't know how to use one themselves.