Refracdtometer - Yes you need one.

Jason82 · 09/12/2019, 08:05 PM

I would just like to confirm to anyone who is starting a new Reef Tank and thinks they don't need a Refractometer... Yes you do. For some reason, it is in my nature to challenge things that others say, or to discount information, so when I saw advice in the forum that suggested my hydrometer was not going to be an accurate measure of salinity, I discounted it.

Well, I broke down and bought a refractometer and was I ever shocked. I have been slowly trying to get my salinity up from 1.024. This was my hydrometer reading. Was I ever shocked to find out that my salinity was. actually 1.030!

They are not that expensive. just get it now and save yourself the heartache.

More humble, More wise, still learning.

billdogg · 09/12/2019, 08:27 PM

I used my refractometer to calibrate my 3 swing arm hydrometers when I got it (after nearly 20 years of Reefing). One was a Couple points low another a couple points high, the other pretty close. They don’t budge if you use them properly. The refractometer shifts a little and needs the be recalibrated periodically.

IMHO , either is perfectly fine within their limitations.

Jason82 · 09/12/2019, 08:32 PM

how do you calibrate a swing air hydrometer ?

Jason82 · 09/12/2019, 08:34 PM

Swing Arm... sorry

HaKs310 · 09/12/2019, 08:42 PM

Not so much calibrating, but taking note of the difference between the reading of said hydrometer and a properly calibrated rrefractometer.

Jason82 · 09/12/2019, 08:45 PM

Well, with a hydrometer that is 6 points off, I'm moving to the refractometer thank you.

ryeguyy84 · 09/12/2019, 08:47 PM

I still have my refractometer and use it to double check every now and then but I bought a Hanna salinity checker a few months back and love it

https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/coll...tester-hi98319

Jason82 · 09/12/2019, 08:52 PM

Looks cool. It took me this long to buy a $17 refractometer. When do you think I'll give that a go?

billdogg · 09/13/2019, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason82

how do you calibrate a swing arm hydrometer ?

Simple, really.

You test a known sample of 1.026 water with your properly calibrated refractometer to ensure that it is, indeed, 1.026. Then test the same sample using the hydrometer. Mark on the hydrometer where the arm points to. You now have a hydrometer that will never stray from 1.026 when used properly.

I keep one by the DT, the FT, and the mixing station. quick, simple, and easy.

questiongurl · 09/13/2019, 11:07 AM

so do you use both the refractometer and the hydrometer?

Uncle99 · 09/13/2019, 12:18 PM

Once calibrated to a known source, I do use both, if I don't get the same result, back to calibration of a known source. It's the speed of change in salinity which PO's corals not as much what your keeping it at, provided your in the ballpark.

billdogg · 09/13/2019, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle99

Once calibrated to a known source, I do use both, if I don't get the same result, back to calibration of a known source. It's the speed of change in salinity which PO's corals not as much what your keeping it at, provided your in the ballpark.

^^^Yes^^^

IMHO, people tend to get obsessed with a specific number be it salinity/NO3/PO4/Ca/Alk/Mg. As long as the numbers are relatively stable there is a acceptable range on all of them.

Timmayyy · 09/13/2019, 04:05 PM

What's a good proven solution to calibrate a refractometer?

Uncle99 · 09/13/2019, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmayyy

What's a good proven solution to calibrate a refractometer?

Pre-mix calibration solution I trust to calibrate my refractometer enough for just being in the ball park. My water has come back at 1.026 for years now as measured with the refractometer, had the swing arm give me two points off (1.024) for several tests over a month, then return right back to 1.026. The arms I trust less.

For me, as long as your above 1.024 but below 1.031 ( highest I ever got to)
Just keep it there, day in and day out! Corals are slow to adjust, BUT, will provided changes are slow and only when nesssary.

Fish look great, corals look great, must assume the salinity is correct. Whatever number this comes back at 99% of the time is my salinity.

09/12/2019, 08:05 PM	#1
Jason82 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 48	Refracdtometer - Yes you need one. I would just like to confirm to anyone who is starting a new Reef Tank and thinks they don't need a Refractometer... Yes you do. For some reason, it is in my nature to challenge things that others say, or to discount information, so when I saw advice in the forum that suggested my hydrometer was not going to be an accurate measure of salinity, I discounted it. Well, I broke down and bought a refractometer and was I ever shocked. I have been slowly trying to get my salinity up from 1.024. This was my hydrometer reading. Was I ever shocked to find out that my salinity was. actually 1.030! They are not that expensive. just get it now and save yourself the heartache. More humble, More wise, still learning.

09/12/2019, 08:27 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I used my refractometer to calibrate my 3 swing arm hydrometers when I got it (after nearly 20 years of Reefing). One was a Couple points low another a couple points high, the other pretty close. They don’t budge if you use them properly. The refractometer shifts a little and needs the be recalibrated periodically. IMHO , either is perfectly fine within their limitations. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

09/12/2019, 08:42 PM	#5
HaKs310 Forever Learning Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 1,241	Not so much calibrating, but taking note of the difference between the reading of said hydrometer and a properly calibrated rrefractometer. __________________ IM Fusion Pro 20 Peninsula \| Nanobox Duo Plus M \| AquaIllumination Nero 3 \| XP Aqua Duetto Dual-Sensor ATO \| Eheim Jager 75w Heater

09/12/2019, 08:47 PM	#7
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	I still have my refractometer and use it to double check every now and then but I bought a Hanna salinity checker a few months back and love it https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/coll...tester-hi98319 __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

09/12/2019, 08:32 PM	#3
Jason82 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 48	how do you calibrate a swing air hydrometer ?

09/12/2019, 08:34 PM	#4
Jason82 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 48	Swing Arm... sorry

09/12/2019, 08:45 PM	#6
Jason82 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 48	Well, with a hydrometer that is 6 points off, I'm moving to the refractometer thank you.

09/12/2019, 08:52 PM	#8
Jason82 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 48	Looks cool. It took me this long to buy a $17 refractometer. When do you think I'll give that a go?

09/13/2019, 11:07 AM	#10
questiongurl Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NWI Posts: 111	so do you use both the refractometer and the hydrometer?

09/13/2019, 12:18 PM	#11
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Once calibrated to a known source, I do use both, if I don't get the same result, back to calibration of a known source. It's the speed of change in salinity which PO's corals not as much what your keeping it at, provided your in the ballpark.

09/13/2019, 04:05 PM	#13
Timmayyy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 82	What's a good proven solution to calibrate a refractometer?