Type of Hydrometer poll

[pclown]

I want to start off and say that I am a Refractometer fan and I know if you want to have a sure and accurate SG test you need to use one and I have thought about buying one myself but I believe that you can have a succesful tank without one.
With that said I want to say something about the Hydro Six that I have been using. I bought one and I have been using it knowing that it was just a good estimate. Well I have learned that it was futher off than I thought and I found this out today by testing it with a Refractometer from my LFS. He asked which Hydrometer that I use and he told me he had alot of complaints with those and had people bring them back. He sold two different ones so we did a test. I tested his water using a refractometer and the test was right on 1.016 and I tested using the Hydro Six and it was 1.013, I then tested with the other one that he sold and I got a reading between 1.015 and 1.016
I asked what his reading should be and he said 1.016
I want to know who uses what hydrometer and how accurate is yours?
I am thinking about buying a refractometer but he told my that for my nano a GOOD hydrometer should be fine. I am still debating this in my head. Should I get a Coral for Easter or a Refractometer. A refractometer from what I understand does have to be calibrated every so often, or it too can become inaccurate.
To show I am not pushing any certain brand or product I have not mentioned the other Hydrometer.
I am just asking what do you use and do you know how accurate it is?

 

[ctgretzky9]

I use the coralife deep six. It has worked well for almost 2 years now. It is accurate and consistent.
I have a refractometer that I use for my tank, i use the hydrometer for my mix out water. The hydrometer was only off by .001 when compared to the refractometer. So I simply deduct this reading when i use the hydro. i still check it from time to time.

 

[fallnhorse]

same deep six for 4 years...i'm planning to buy a refractormeter thou.

 

[saltydog]

I had my Deep Six tested last night. It read 1.025 with my tank water....1.031 with LFS refaractometer....I couldn't believe it.
-Salty

 

[ctgretzky9]

Originally Posted by Saltydog
I had my Deep Six tested last night. It read 1.025 with my tank water....1.031 with LFS refaractometer....I couldn't believe it.
-Salty

You will find, though, most hydros are pretty consitent. You can still use the hydro, when you measure your tank water at 1.019 with hydro, it will acually be 1.025
If you are going to change the sg, do it VERY slowly over a few weeks.

 

[pclown]

I just ordered my refractometer and it is now on its way. I am very excited!! After thinking about it I decided that I wanted to do it right and so I spent the money on the Refractometer. I have been reading where people have lost things because of hydrometer being so far off and I am not wanting to worry about that anymore and to be sure my salinity is right.
Why take a chance and for little more money you know you got it right.

 

[aveda6]

I started with the deep six plastic hydrometer with a floating arm and then purchased a floating glass hydrometer to see if there was any difference. Both are matching each other. I recently purchased a refractometer to be really sure everything is fine and because I love gadgets. Once that arrives I can see how close the other two really are.
jim

 

[monalisa]

I used a plastic Instant Ocean hydrometer with floating arm for most of the first 8 months that I had my tank. For Christmas I received an awesome refractometer and have used that since. When I did a comparison of the hydrometer that I had been using and the new refractometer after setting it, they were pretty darn identical. My daughter is in the process of setting up her 55gal, and she will use the hydrometer since I had such good luck with it.
...I do love the refractometer though, so easy to use and peace of mind accuracy.
Lisa :happyfish

 

[rujelus22]

I've been using the Instant Ocean hydrometer with floating arm, Don't have the money to get a refractometer yet. Every time I've had my LFS test my water it has been very accurate. As long as you rinse it off everytime you use it.

 

[saltydog]

Originally Posted by ctgretzky9
You will find, though, most hydros are pretty consitent. You can still use the hydro, when you measure your tank water at 1.019 with hydro, it will acually be 1.025
If you are going to change the sg, do it VERY slowly over a few weeks.
I've been replacing about 1/2 gallon twice a day and filling from my auto-top off with fresh water. It's coming down slowly.
I purchased the Instant Ocean. It measure identical to the LFS refractometer.
-Salty

 

[unleashed]

I have have the aqua medic brand refractometer i used the cheep plastic swing arm hydrometers for yrs i had 3 different brands each gave me differnt readings. i will never use the hydrometers again.one drop water is all it takes to get an accurate reading no matter what the water temp is.

highly worth the money spent on it

 

[aveda6]

Okay, the refractometer finally arrived today. I did the quick and easy calibration check (the unit was spot on) and tested the water in my tank. The floating arm hydrometer showed a value of 1.026 and the refractometer showed 1.031. I ended up changing out some water to dilute it back down. I now much prefer the refractometer over the hydrometer. It's so easy to use and extremely accurate.
jim

 

[pclown]

Thank you for your replies, I hope this thread help others. I am now waiting on mine and I hope to get it soon.