Is this a good refractometer?

BradsOcean · 01/11/2009, 08:52 PM

Ok, i've been using a hydrometer and i know i should upgrade...this is only $40, so i'm a little uneasy to buy it. Does anyone know if this is very accurate? thanks

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...57&pcatid=9957

Ebmorri · 01/11/2009, 08:54 PM

It's mostly likely the most popular one that people use here, including myself. Read this about calibrating it correctly.
\http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php

forgot the link

jkrentz2515 · 01/11/2009, 08:54 PM

Buy the calibration fluid and you will be set.

Playa-1 · 01/11/2009, 08:57 PM

That's the one that I use.

dwd5813 · 01/11/2009, 10:34 PM

that's the one i use. just be sure to pick up the calibration fluid and calibrate it to 35ppt and you'll be fine.

Hop · 01/11/2009, 11:58 PM

I would say that is the one I use, but everyone else already said it... I did buy some calibration fluid a while back and used it to calibrate it

freedominco · 01/12/2009, 01:47 AM

This is the one I use, my swing arm was reading .006 to high.

http://www.aquacave.com/salinity-ref...ybon-1901.html

pjewett · 01/12/2009, 10:52 AM

I use this model but with RO or Distilled to calibrate...is that not correct? I thought that I had read that the calibration fluid is unnecessary.

VacavilleFC3S · 01/12/2009, 11:09 AM

how are you calibrating with freshwater???? it you need to buy the calibration solution which is exactly 35ppt salinity

pjewett · 01/12/2009, 12:37 PM

i could have sworn that i read (even in the instructions) that it could be calibrated with distilled water...no? can i get the calibration fluid at a LFS do you think or only online?

dwd5813 · 01/12/2009, 01:57 PM

you can probably find it in a good lfs, but i ordered mine online. also, read this: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php

pjewett · 01/12/2009, 02:21 PM

Thanks!

01/11/2009, 08:52 PM	#1
BradsOcean Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Island Posts: 1,173	Is this a good refractometer? Ok, i've been using a hydrometer and i know i should upgrade...this is only $40, so i'm a little uneasy to buy it. Does anyone know if this is very accurate? thanks http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...57&pcatid=9957 __________________ the low cost of 3 Ramen meals a day is feeding my zoa addiction Current Tank Info: had a few small reefs in the past, researching for my future 125 :)

01/11/2009, 10:34 PM	#5
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	that's the one i use. just be sure to pick up the calibration fluid and calibrate it to 35ppt and you'll be fine. __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

01/11/2009, 11:58 PM	#6
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	I would say that is the one I use, but everyone else already said it... I did buy some calibration fluid a while back and used it to calibrate it __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

01/12/2009, 01:47 AM	#7
freedominco Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 104	This is the one I use, my swing arm was reading .006 to high. http://www.aquacave.com/salinity-ref...ybon-1901.html __________________ 180 gallon acrylic RR with Lifereef LF1-300 Sump Lifereef VS3-30 Protein Skimmer Lifereef LCR2 Calcium Reactor 10 gallon fuge 2 120 watt LED's Mixed Reef

01/12/2009, 10:52 AM	#8
pjewett aquariablog Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Island-NY Posts: 383	I use this model but with RO or Distilled to calibrate...is that not correct? I thought that I had read that the calibration fluid is unnecessary. __________________ You can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which gets filled 1st! - Burgess Meredith Current Tank Info: 90 gal DT w/sump, Apex, LED's, Vortec MP40

01/11/2009, 08:54 PM	#2
Ebmorri Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 662	It's mostly likely the most popular one that people use here, including myself. Read this about calibrating it correctly. \http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php forgot the link

01/11/2009, 08:54 PM	#3
jkrentz2515 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mauerapolis Posts: 635	Buy the calibration fluid and you will be set.

01/11/2009, 08:57 PM	#4
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	That's the one that I use.

01/12/2009, 11:09 AM	#9
VacavilleFC3S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vacaville California Posts: 2,613	how are you calibrating with freshwater???? it you need to buy the calibration solution which is exactly 35ppt salinity

01/12/2009, 12:37 PM	#10
pjewett aquariablog Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Island-NY Posts: 383	i could have sworn that i read (even in the instructions) that it could be calibrated with distilled water...no? can i get the calibration fluid at a LFS do you think or only online? __________________ You can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which gets filled 1st! - Burgess Meredith Current Tank Info: 90 gal DT w/sump, Apex, LED's, Vortec MP40

01/12/2009, 01:57 PM	#11
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	you can probably find it in a good lfs, but i ordered mine online. also, read this: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

01/12/2009, 02:21 PM	#12
pjewett aquariablog Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Island-NY Posts: 383	Thanks! __________________ You can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which gets filled 1st! - Burgess Meredith Current Tank Info: 90 gal DT w/sump, Apex, LED's, Vortec MP40