Refratometer - My 2 cents worth

[Fragzilla]

I have been using one of those plastic rectangle testors for years and relying on it.

The other day I broke down and bought a proper refractometer.

To my amazment my old testor was reading very low LOTS

When I tested it with my old my reading was 1.0025

New meter 1.0030:cry:

I suggest to anyone useing one of the cheep testors go out and get a good one.

[BlueTang<3]

yeah very good idea to start with one the hydrometers are very unreliable i also found they read 4 points low but if you allow for that your good lol

[Fragzilla]

I was shocked at my reading.

[banditpowdercoat]

Remember to change your salinity level slowly now too

[whatcaneyedo]

Did you type that right? 1.0030 is actually really low. Most people target 1.025.

But if that was a typo then yeah I'm not surprised. I've heard this story a lot... hydrometers being out by .005 seems to be pretty common.

[lastlight]

And you certainly can't assume they are always out in the same direction or even always out the same amount each and every time. Heck a few micro bubbles on that arm and it can act up.

Refractometer is king!

[Chase31]

i never have even tryed the plastic toys. just refract-o for me :)

[ALBERTA REEF]

What is a good refractometer to get?

http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/t-cprefact/Salinity+Refractometer.html
or
http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/vt-refract/Vertex+Salinity+Refractometer.html

[Chase31]

i see no real dif in those besides the fact that the vertex is way cheaper.

[ALBERTA REEF]

Thats what I thought. I was leaning more to the vertex side and the info sells it better.

[DCDN]

I had to get one to be able to have my brackish tank since it was only 1.004 and thats really what got my started into all this. Am I ever happy about that.

[Fragzilla]

1.030 lol

Vertex is the one I bought

[BlueTang<3]

there all the same as long as u calibrate check out ebay a place there sells the for like 20 bucks shipped

[rjengen]

I bought the vertex 4 months ago...had to calibrate it once, other then that it's been working good

[Ian]

same experience here
Bought the cheapest refractometer I could find on Ebay and then took it into the lab at school and tested it against the"high end" one thier and they consistantly made identical measurments. I think this is one case where you don't have to spend a bunch to get a good product.....nice in this hobby

[Fragzilla]

same experience here
Bought the cheapest refractometer I could find on Ebay I think this is one case where you don't have to spend a bunch to get a good product.....nice in this hobby

Rare in this hobby haha

[russp]

I just got 1 off of ebay for $38 shipped from Quebec , Aquakits was the seller. I have to calibrate it yet but it looks good , the guy was really slow to ship though. I think it took about 4 weeks to get it here. I have been using the cheap plastic hydrometer up till now & I have 2 identical ones & they read about 4 points different on the same water sample so I split the difference. It will be interesting to see what the refractometer reads.

[ALBERTA REEF]

I have been using one of those cheap plastic ones for over a year. It came with the first tank I bought off of a friend. the numders are almost rubbed off and now the needle is sticking. I fine desided to get a refractometer. Hopeful it will arrive on weds day.:biggrin:

[JoelV]

http://www.progressivereef.com/proddetail.php?prod=refract

[kien]

Refactometers are for wimps. Use your finger and taste the water like a real reefer!! :lol:

[ALBERTA REEF]

Refactometers are for wimps. Use your finger and taste the water like a real reefer!! :lol:

:lol::lol:

[Fragzilla]

Refactometers are for wimps. Use your finger and taste the water like a real reefer!! :lol:

Wouldn't be the first I used this method to check the temp. of my make up water to the tank water:biggrin:

[dankent]

Lol ..... what a taste that is too .... hehe

I have a sybon refractometer and have had no problems with it.

Refactometers are for wimps. Use your finger and taste the water like a real reefer!! :lol:

[banditpowdercoat]

Refactometers are for wimps. Use your finger and taste the water like a real reefer!! :lol:
I have a drink every time I start my siphon for WC LOL