Refractometer?

AC2020x · 09/06/2009, 03:16 PM

Refractometer?

Hey, I've been looking to get a refractometer for a while and now that i'm starting up a new tank I figure this is a good time!

Does any refratometer work? Is this good? or would it just end up being a waste of money and I should go for a more expensive one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Salinity-Ref...d=p3286.c0.m14

Thanks alot!
-AC

__________________

29 Gallon SW FOWLR+ some reef!-- 1st SW tank

Playa-1 · 09/06/2009, 04:10 PM

That's a bad link. I don't think they allow ebay links here anyway. I use the one that's always on sale at Dr Foster & Smith. I think it's about $40 and it works just fine. The same model is often sold on ebay if you want to shop around.

sedor · 09/06/2009, 04:39 PM

That will work fine! Awesome job on picking up the right equipment! I know I didn't for a year into the hobby.

cloak · 09/06/2009, 04:57 PM

A $5.99 floating glass hydrometer will work just as well. The more experience you get, you'll start to figure out that some of these things are just a waste of money. No use buying a phosphate test kit if your dealing with cyno. All it's going to give you is an affirmative, you have a problem.

FWIW.

powers2001 · 09/06/2009, 09:30 PM

Has anybody compared swing-arm hydrometers with refractometers? To see how accurate the swing-arms are?

PRDubois · 09/06/2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cloak
A $5.99 floating glass hydrometer will work just as well. The more experience you get, you'll start to figure out that some of these things are just a waste of money. No use buying a phosphate test kit if your dealing with cyno. All it's going to give you is an affirmative, you have a problem.

FWIW.

More bad advice:
All swing arms are off

You can get a cheep refractometers at Marine Depot for $49
Most swing arms calibrate way off and that is before bubble on the arm, etc...

Swing arms are good in a pinch

Playa-1 · 09/06/2009, 09:38 PM

The Consensus is that the swing arm hydrometers can stick and give inaccurate information. With the size of the investment in the tank, the extra $35 is a non issue for most people. A properly calibrated Refractometer should last for years and give accurate results. It's a no-brainer.

tat2shawn · 09/06/2009, 09:40 PM

refractometers are a great tool. If you buy from a reputable dealer you cant go wrong.

jason2459 · 09/06/2009, 10:55 PM

To each his own I say. I used a swing arm and floating thermometer/hydrometer for just over a year. It was a basic FOWLER. Never had any major problems or losses except for one jumper (Damn firefish). Goal at that time was to just keep it in the middle of the zone or green area. I think that was just good enough for me and the tank.

Now that I'm starting over again I want to be more precise as I also want to get into corals and clams. I don't know but I feel like being just good enough for fish only wont be good enough or stable enough for what I want to get into. I got a refractometer and absolutely love it. I also find it easier, less messy, and of course more accurate.

Problem I always have with swing arm wasn't anything to do with bubbles or build up of materials on the swing arm which could happen but was making sure it was level to get a good reading from it. The swing arm I have is 2 notches high and I can easily subtract two but what I don't do well is making sure it's level. I can rest it on a shelf but I need to make sure that shelf is level first and then I have to make sure a towel is down or I'll get water on the shelf. Messy and hard to get consistent reading.

The floater I certainly couldn't do it right in my tank because of to much surface turbulence. So, I ether have to turn off my powerheads or take water out of the tank to float in. This causes water drippings everywhere and a pain to get a container long enough into my canopy and out. And again I need to make sure I know how much to add or subtract as it can not be calibrated. Plus I've the are more delicate. I have broken and replaced two of them before.

Temperature also could throw both of those methods off as they are calibrated to a certain temp. The water being tested though is typically in the range that they are calibrated for though so that argument is moot.

I have found that the refractometer is the easiest. Take a little dropper and place a little bit of water on the lens. At most you get a drop or two someplace if not careful other wise I don't get water anywhere but the tank and on the refractometer. Hold the thing up to the light and look. That's it. It does need calibrated every so often but I see that as a positive in that well, it can be calibrated and checked against a standard solution. I bought two pinpoint 53mS stand solutions. This way I could cross check both solutions to make sure that indeed both were at 35 SG. I do this once a month. I just calibrated and was off less then 1. Just a little nudge and it is right on. The refractometer also automatically adjusts for temperature.

mullinsd2 · 09/07/2009, 12:01 AM

I purchased a refractometer recently and checked it against my hydrometer; they were the exact same. Although, I do feel much more confident now while mixing salt.

BuddhaKiss · 09/07/2009, 01:20 AM

When I got my refractometer I checked it with my hydrometer. The hydrometer was off by .001. Not too bad, but how consistent would it be a year from now? Would build up eventually cause that reading to be wrong? Who knows...at least with a refractometer, I wouldn't have to worry about that (as long as it was calibrated). I think for FOWLR systems a hydrometer may be feasible, but in a reef, I go for the accuracy of a refractometer.

Ti · 09/07/2009, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cloak
A $5.99 floating glass hydrometer will work just as well. The more experience you get, you'll start to figure out that some of these things are just a waste of money. No use buying a phosphate test kit if your dealing with cyno. All it's going to give you is an affirmative, you have a problem.

FWIW.

X2.

cloak · 09/07/2009, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PRDubois
More bad advice:
All swing arms are off

You can get a cheep refractometers at Marine Depot for $49
Most swing arms calibrate way off and that is before bubble on the arm, etc...

Swing arms are good in a pinch

Put your nose in the books noob. Sooner or later, you'll figure it out...

cloak · 09/07/2009, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PRDubois
More bad advice:
All swing arms are off

You can get a cheep refractometers at Marine Depot for $49
Most swing arms calibrate way off and that is before bubble on the arm, etc...

Swing arms are good in a pinch

Put your nose in the books noob. Sooner or later, you'll figure it out...

I think I'm done with your punk a$$...

billdogg · 09/07/2009, 06:25 AM

Here's my take on this issue:

I have been keeping marine aquaria for well over 20 years now. Until I found www.wetwebmedia.com and this site, everything I learned was from books and experience. I have had two swing arm hydrometers since the beginning. They have always read the same, so I had never given it a thought. I finally caved in an bought a refractometer, and although I was almost afraid to use it, (How far off have I been all these years???) I went ahead and calibrated it per the instructions and went for the BIG TEST. Both my swing arms read at 1.025. peering through the looking glass, what did I see????? 1.025. Spot on!!!

The bottom line is this: No piece of equipment will give any better readings than the operator of said equipment can get. If you are using it incorrectly, it does not matter how much it cost or how accurate it is - the results will still be junk!

For ease of use, you cannot beat a swing arm, IMO. IF YOU USE IT CORRECTLY!!! If you insist on accuracy down to .0001, great - use an instrument that will accurately measure to that point. Will your tanks inhabitants care? Probably not. What is important is that the readings stay consistent within a given acceptable range.

JM.02

p.s. my refractometer sits in a box in the fishroom with the other stuff i bought and don't use very often.

THE ROOK · 09/07/2009, 08:52 AM

Purchased mine on Ebay from Industrial Supply. Make sure to get some Pinpoint calibration fluid as they're useless without it.

Neurotech · 09/07/2009, 11:29 AM

I used to use a swing-arm hydrometer - it was made by seatest, and it was alwys fairly accurate as far as I could tell. I went to the LFS when my dog stole it and found that that model was unavailable, so I bought a newer one. It never gave the same reading twice. I brought it back, and the store owner and I tested it as well as all the other brands, and found the same thing. We definitely used them right. I am looking for the cheapest reliable refractometer now. I see on ebay they have blue ones and black ones for 24.99. Anybody know i fthey are diferent, or had a reliable experience with either one of them?

Octopus8 · 09/07/2009, 12:56 PM

I purchased the blue one from ebay a year ago and it still works just fine. As THE ROOK said, make sure you calibrate it with the Pinpoint Calibration fluid.

PRDubois · 09/07/2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cloak
Put your nose in the books noob. Sooner or later, you'll figure it out...

I think I'm done with your punk a$$...

GOOD!!
Maybe you will just stop giving bad advice. 90% or more of swing arms are off if you use them correctly.

09/06/2009, 03:16 PM	#1
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	Refractometer? Refractometer? Hey, I've been looking to get a refractometer for a while and now that i'm starting up a new tank I figure this is a good time! Does any refratometer work? Is this good? or would it just end up being a waste of money and I should go for a more expensive one? http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Salinity-Ref...d=p3286.c0.m14 Thanks alot! -AC __________________ 29 Gallon SW FOWLR+ some reef!-- 1st SW tank

09/06/2009, 04:39 PM	#3
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	That will work fine! Awesome job on picking up the right equipment! I know I didn't for a year into the hobby. __________________ Ryan

09/06/2009, 09:40 PM	#8
tat2shawn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Northeast, PA Posts: 265	refractometers are a great tool. If you buy from a reputable dealer you cant go wrong. __________________ 90 gallon oceanic tech tank, RKE, ASM G-4, 2 Vortech MP-40s 2 250W MH 15k W/ actinic, 70 gallon frag tank Current Tank Info: 90 gallon ocqanic tech tank and a 55

09/06/2009, 10:55 PM	#9
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	To each his own I say. I used a swing arm and floating thermometer/hydrometer for just over a year. It was a basic FOWLER. Never had any major problems or losses except for one jumper (Damn firefish). Goal at that time was to just keep it in the middle of the zone or green area. I think that was just good enough for me and the tank. Now that I'm starting over again I want to be more precise as I also want to get into corals and clams. I don't know but I feel like being just good enough for fish only wont be good enough or stable enough for what I want to get into. I got a refractometer and absolutely love it. I also find it easier, less messy, and of course more accurate. Problem I always have with swing arm wasn't anything to do with bubbles or build up of materials on the swing arm which could happen but was making sure it was level to get a good reading from it. The swing arm I have is 2 notches high and I can easily subtract two but what I don't do well is making sure it's level. I can rest it on a shelf but I need to make sure that shelf is level first and then I have to make sure a towel is down or I'll get water on the shelf. Messy and hard to get consistent reading. The floater I certainly couldn't do it right in my tank because of to much surface turbulence. So, I ether have to turn off my powerheads or take water out of the tank to float in. This causes water drippings everywhere and a pain to get a container long enough into my canopy and out. And again I need to make sure I know how much to add or subtract as it can not be calibrated. Plus I've the are more delicate. I have broken and replaced two of them before. Temperature also could throw both of those methods off as they are calibrated to a certain temp. The water being tested though is typically in the range that they are calibrated for though so that argument is moot. I have found that the refractometer is the easiest. Take a little dropper and place a little bit of water on the lens. At most you get a drop or two someplace if not careful other wise I don't get water anywhere but the tank and on the refractometer. Hold the thing up to the light and look. That's it. It does need calibrated every so often but I see that as a positive in that well, it can be calibrated and checked against a standard solution. I bought two pinpoint 53mS stand solutions. This way I could cross check both solutions to make sure that indeed both were at 35 SG. I do this once a month. I just calibrated and was off less then 1. Just a little nudge and it is right on. The refractometer also automatically adjusts for temperature. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

09/07/2009, 06:25 AM	#15
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Here's my take on this issue: I have been keeping marine aquaria for well over 20 years now. Until I found www.wetwebmedia.com and this site, everything I learned was from books and experience. I have had two swing arm hydrometers since the beginning. They have always read the same, so I had never given it a thought. I finally caved in an bought a refractometer, and although I was almost afraid to use it, (How far off have I been all these years???) I went ahead and calibrated it per the instructions and went for the BIG TEST. Both my swing arms read at 1.025. peering through the looking glass, what did I see????? 1.025. Spot on!!! The bottom line is this: No piece of equipment will give any better readings than the operator of said equipment can get. If you are using it incorrectly, it does not matter how much it cost or how accurate it is - the results will still be junk! For ease of use, you cannot beat a swing arm, IMO. IF YOU USE IT CORRECTLY!!! If you insist on accuracy down to .0001, great - use an instrument that will accurately measure to that point. Will your tanks inhabitants care? Probably not. What is important is that the readings stay consistent within a given acceptable range. JM.02 p.s. my refractometer sits in a box in the fishroom with the other stuff i bought and don't use very often. __________________ 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

09/06/2009, 04:10 PM	#2
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	That's a bad link. I don't think they allow ebay links here anyway. I use the one that's always on sale at Dr Foster & Smith. I think it's about $40 and it works just fine. The same model is often sold on ebay if you want to shop around.

09/06/2009, 04:57 PM	#4
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	A $5.99 floating glass hydrometer will work just as well. The more experience you get, you'll start to figure out that some of these things are just a waste of money. No use buying a phosphate test kit if your dealing with cyno. All it's going to give you is an affirmative, you have a problem. FWIW.

09/06/2009, 09:30 PM	#5
powers2001 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 224	Has anybody compared swing-arm hydrometers with refractometers? To see how accurate the swing-arms are?

09/06/2009, 09:38 PM	#7
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	The Consensus is that the swing arm hydrometers can stick and give inaccurate information. With the size of the investment in the tank, the extra $35 is a non issue for most people. A properly calibrated Refractometer should last for years and give accurate results. It's a no-brainer.

09/07/2009, 12:01 AM	#10
mullinsd2 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 753	I purchased a refractometer recently and checked it against my hydrometer; they were the exact same. Although, I do feel much more confident now while mixing salt.

09/07/2009, 01:20 AM	#11
BuddhaKiss Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 1,068	When I got my refractometer I checked it with my hydrometer. The hydrometer was off by .001. Not too bad, but how consistent would it be a year from now? Would build up eventually cause that reading to be wrong? Who knows...at least with a refractometer, I wouldn't have to worry about that (as long as it was calibrated). I think for FOWLR systems a hydrometer may be feasible, but in a reef, I go for the accuracy of a refractometer.

09/07/2009, 08:52 AM	#16
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	Purchased mine on Ebay from Industrial Supply. Make sure to get some Pinpoint calibration fluid as they're useless without it.

09/07/2009, 11:29 AM	#17
Neurotech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 870	I used to use a swing-arm hydrometer - it was made by seatest, and it was alwys fairly accurate as far as I could tell. I went to the LFS when my dog stole it and found that that model was unavailable, so I bought a newer one. It never gave the same reading twice. I brought it back, and the store owner and I tested it as well as all the other brands, and found the same thing. We definitely used them right. I am looking for the cheapest reliable refractometer now. I see on ebay they have blue ones and black ones for 24.99. Anybody know i fthey are diferent, or had a reliable experience with either one of them? __________________ Boneh Current Tank Info: 2 54 corner tanks. 1 2X65 PC and 1 250 watt 20K MH.

09/07/2009, 12:56 PM	#18
Octopus8 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: SW Florida Posts: 271	I purchased the blue one from ebay a year ago and it still works just fine. As THE ROOK said, make sure you calibrate it with the Pinpoint Calibration fluid.