Refractometer any good?

colotl · 12/17/2007, 11:26 AM

I saw this on DFS. Is it worth buying?

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

Thanks

clevengergl · 12/17/2007, 12:45 PM

If you don't already have a refractometer, that one should do the job perfectly. I just upgraded from a swing-arm hydrometer to a similar low-cost refractometer and it was well worth the investment IMO. My readings with the swing arm weren't even close to the actual SG.

colotl · 12/17/2007, 12:56 PM

I don't have one. I figured anything is better than swingarm. Just want to make sure this unit isthe right equip. since these reading are important.

Thanks

luke33 · 12/17/2007, 02:47 PM

Should work fine, thats what i own. You can usually find them on ebay for around 30bux shipped.

colotl · 12/17/2007, 03:00 PM

Thanks guys. I just placed the order along with some other stuff. Hopefully my levels aren't to bad. everything looks good but I don't want to take my chances.

kdblove_99 · 12/17/2007, 05:07 PM

Yeah own the same one. Works great. Just keep it calibrated. I use the fluid

colotl · 12/17/2007, 05:22 PM

It didn't say anything about a fluid. Is distilled water fine? Can you send me link if this fluid is better.
Thanks

garygb · 12/18/2007, 12:02 AM

I found out my refractometer was off 3/1000ths once I used American Marine Inc. Calibration Fluid. There is a thread or two on this topic in the Reef Chemistry Forum. Anyway, apparently refractometers are commonly off about 3/1000ths when they are calibrated using purified water. A better way to accurately measure salt water for an aquarium is to use a fluid that is 35ppt, the same as sea water.

reef / aholic · 12/18/2007, 08:14 PM

Just make sure your refractometer has automatic temperature compensation feature and you can calibrate it to 35ppt. with a standardized solution [53ms from Pinpoint]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php

12/17/2007, 11:26 AM	#1
colotl Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 648	Refractometer any good? I saw this on DFS. Is it worth buying? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...57&pcatid=9957 Thanks

12/17/2007, 12:45 PM	#2
clevengergl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 419	If you don't already have a refractometer, that one should do the job perfectly. I just upgraded from a swing-arm hydrometer to a similar low-cost refractometer and it was well worth the investment IMO. My readings with the swing arm weren't even close to the actual SG. __________________ "Now you see that evil will always triumph...because good is dumb." -Dark Helmet, Spaceballs Current Tank Info: 220g In-Wall in Progress!!! Click Red House above!

12/17/2007, 12:56 PM	#3
colotl Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 648	I don't have one. I figured anything is better than swingarm. Just want to make sure this unit isthe right equip. since these reading are important. Thanks

12/17/2007, 02:47 PM	#4
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Should work fine, thats what i own. You can usually find them on ebay for around 30bux shipped.

12/17/2007, 03:00 PM	#5
colotl Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 648	Thanks guys. I just placed the order along with some other stuff. Hopefully my levels aren't to bad. everything looks good but I don't want to take my chances.

12/17/2007, 05:07 PM	#6
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Yeah own the same one. Works great. Just keep it calibrated. I use the fluid

12/17/2007, 05:22 PM	#7
colotl Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 648	It didn't say anything about a fluid. Is distilled water fine? Can you send me link if this fluid is better. Thanks

12/18/2007, 12:02 AM	#8
garygb Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: los angeles Posts: 4,471	I found out my refractometer was off 3/1000ths once I used American Marine Inc. Calibration Fluid. There is a thread or two on this topic in the Reef Chemistry Forum. Anyway, apparently refractometers are commonly off about 3/1000ths when they are calibrated using purified water. A better way to accurately measure salt water for an aquarium is to use a fluid that is 35ppt, the same as sea water.

12/18/2007, 08:14 PM	#9
reef / aholic Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: houston \| texas Posts: 647	Just make sure your refractometer has automatic temperature compensation feature and you can calibrate it to 35ppt. with a standardized solution [53ms from Pinpoint] http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php