refractomer or hydrometer
 

which do you prefer and why?

I use both, I use the hydrometer because its quick and easy to use and i periodically use the refractometer to check on the accuracy of the hydrometer

Refractometer....I was using only a hydrometer but when I found out HOW out of whack it was...I stopped!

You should make sure your refractometer isn't the one out of wack Calibrating it with RO/DI can cause issues, use something like Pinpoit salinity fluid.

My glued back together 4 times Aquarium Systems hydrometer finally died so I use the refract now. I calibrate it every week though.

Small investment considering how much your livestock is worht. Refractometer.

I use a Hydrometer (instant ocean)

When I was using a refracto with my old setup, I compared the results to the hydro with each test, and they were always bang on for me.

Used Hydrometer for years always seems okay until one day mixing salt using the usual amounts and was low, checked on the display and low there as well. Did a comparison with a refractometer and numbers all where I expected, checked the hydrometer and was off ~0.006

Not to say a refractometer will go out of cal, just have more confidence in it so been using one since. Easy to use, easy to clean.

Using the same hydrometer I've had for 10 years. Checked it once against a refractometer, it was bang on.

I was using the instant ocean hydrometer when I started out, until like the others I found out how off it was and switched to a refractometer.

yeah if a refractometer is calibrated it's bang on. I find a refractometer much faster and I don't bruise my finger flicking bubbles off a swing needle.

Also a refractometer only needs 2 drops of fluid. Great when you're testing the salinity of creatures you're acclimating vs. tank water. It's kinda hard to submerge a hydrometer fully in a bag of snails only filled 1/4 full with water :P