Tip for hydrometer users

virginiadiver69 · 05/13/2007, 03:29 PM

This may be something that everybody already does but...
I always rinse my hydrometer in ro water after every use. Last night I did so but I got preoccupied and left it on the kitchen counter filled with CLEAN RO WATER over night. When I noticed it this morning it was reading 1.014! How could this be, I rinse it after every use. So now, along with my after every use rinse I will soak it overnight on a weekly basis.
Try a little experiment and see if you get the same results.

coast2coast7390 · 05/13/2007, 05:14 PM

thats wierd...i guess anythings possible

Young Frankenstein · 05/13/2007, 06:57 PM

where is the tip frog ?

coralfragger101 · 05/13/2007, 07:01 PM

I got a tip for hydrometer users.

Trash it and buy a refractomer.

skeeter_ca · 05/13/2007, 07:19 PM

Yeah, refractometer.

ihopss · 05/13/2007, 07:37 PM

I'll try that,I normally keep my hydrometer in check with my refractometer.

shag26272 · 05/13/2007, 07:51 PM

why would you use both? refractometer is way easier to use then a hydrometer

virginiadiver69 · 05/13/2007, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shag26272
why would you use both? refractometer is way easier to use then a hydrometer

True, if I had one I would use it exclusively.

virginiadiver69 · 05/13/2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 0 Agios
where is the tip frog ?

If you use a hydrometer, simply rinsing it after using it may not be enough. It seems salt tend to build up on the swing arm.

shag26272 · 05/13/2007, 08:19 PM

plus the bubbles that attach to the swing arm can throw it off drastically

Young Frankenstein · 05/13/2007, 08:23 PM

Thanks frog after reading an article in RC I prime constantly in fresh water. Also refractometer can be very inaccurate if not calibrated properly. I am a true believer in hydrometers just like frogy.

sanababit · 05/13/2007, 08:32 PM

well heres another insight i got two hydrometers one made from red sea and the other a coralife,both gave me diferent readings, the red sea one gives me 1.025 and the coralife one gives me 1.022, ive been using the red sea one since i started, i think i will keep using it, when i get enough money i will probably get a refractometer.

sana

shag26272 · 05/13/2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 0 Agios
Thanks frog after reading an article in RC I prime constantly in fresh water. Also refractometer can be very inaccurate if not calibrated properly. I am a true believer in hydrometers just like frogy.

first time Ive heard of someone saying they trust the hydrometer more then a refractometer

virginiadiver69 · 05/14/2007, 05:43 AM

Like 0 Agios said, unless calibrated often and accurately a refractometer is no better than a hydrometer. So...the moral of the story is....no matter what you use, take care of it and it will take care of you.

Reefmack · 05/14/2007, 06:02 AM

I at times check my old hydrometer vs my refractometer just to see if I'm getting similar readings, but I trust the refractometer most, and it's so much easier, quicker & less messy than a hydrometer. Usually I just use the refractometer to compare my tank reading to my fresh SW to be sure they are the same when I make up the water for water changes. My tank water is pretty much my "standard".

05/13/2007, 03:29 PM	#1
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Tip for hydrometer users This may be something that everybody already does but... I always rinse my hydrometer in ro water after every use. Last night I did so but I got preoccupied and left it on the kitchen counter filled with CLEAN RO WATER over night. When I noticed it this morning it was reading 1.014! How could this be, I rinse it after every use. So now, along with my after every use rinse I will soak it overnight on a weekly basis. Try a little experiment and see if you get the same results. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

05/13/2007, 07:01 PM	#4
coralfragger101 Gone Postal Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 5,461	I got a tip for hydrometer users. Trash it and buy a refractomer. __________________ Views expressed by this person are not neccessarily the views of any other person and may never be. Apology extended to any member who takes offense to any post. Offense is not meant nor intended. Current Tank Info: NONE - Sold - Can't afford it right now!

05/13/2007, 07:19 PM	#5
skeeter_ca Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,007	Yeah, refractometer. __________________ skeeter - It is easier to ask for forgiveness than premission. My motto to my wife. Current Tank Info: 75rr,6"dsb,refugium,auto top-off & semi-auto water changer, OM squirt. 4 MJs 1200, Started on 03/03/06

05/13/2007, 07:51 PM	#7
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	why would you use both? refractometer is way easier to use then a hydrometer __________________ .

05/13/2007, 08:19 PM	#10
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	plus the bubbles that attach to the swing arm can throw it off drastically __________________ .

05/13/2007, 05:14 PM	#2
coast2coast7390 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Garden Grove Posts: 3,627	thats wierd...i guess anythings possible

05/13/2007, 06:57 PM	#3
Young Frankenstein Moved On Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami Florida. Posts: 3,842	where is the tip frog ?

05/13/2007, 07:37 PM	#6
ihopss Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gilmer,tx Posts: 751	I'll try that,I normally keep my hydrometer in check with my refractometer.

05/13/2007, 08:23 PM	#11
Young Frankenstein Moved On Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami Florida. Posts: 3,842	Thanks frog after reading an article in RC I prime constantly in fresh water. Also refractometer can be very inaccurate if not calibrated properly. I am a true believer in hydrometers just like frogy.

05/13/2007, 08:32 PM	#12
sanababit Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Uranus Posts: 3,094	well heres another insight i got two hydrometers one made from red sea and the other a coralife,both gave me diferent readings, the red sea one gives me 1.025 and the coralife one gives me 1.022, ive been using the red sea one since i started, i think i will keep using it, when i get enough money i will probably get a refractometer. sana __________________ Senior Member of the "Hardly any Water Changes, Temp Swinging, T5ing, No Qtining, Frag Exchanging for Fish Food Current Tank Info: 90RR inwall, Octopuss Skimmer, 2 MP40 wQD, 1 MP10 WQD, 2 Radions G4 Pro, Apex Doser, Apex Controller, 400w heater, 30 Gal Sump, Biopellets, Carbon, Gfo, Macroalgae

05/14/2007, 05:43 AM	#14
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Like 0 Agios said, unless calibrated often and accurately a refractometer is no better than a hydrometer. So...the moral of the story is....no matter what you use, take care of it and it will take care of you. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

05/14/2007, 06:02 AM	#15
Reefmack Moved On Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 3,412	I at times check my old hydrometer vs my refractometer just to see if I'm getting similar readings, but I trust the refractometer most, and it's so much easier, quicker & less messy than a hydrometer. Usually I just use the refractometer to compare my tank reading to my fresh SW to be sure they are the same when I make up the water for water changes. My tank water is pretty much my "standard".