refractomer or hydrometer

[karazy]

which do you prefer and why?

[marie]

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

[Chaloupa]

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

[midgetwaiter]

Originally Posted by Chaloupa

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.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

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

[OCDP]

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.

[mark]

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.

[Aquattro]

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

[ShrimSkin]

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.

[kwirky]

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