How many people use refractometers?

jbarone · 01/25/2007, 03:54 PM

I've been using a Deep Six Hydrometer since day one, about 10 weeks in now. Today my refractomer arrived. After calibating, my tank tested at .030. The hydrometer was reading .024.

I topped off for eveporation, and it checked at .029. I drained a gallon, and added a gallon of fresh RO. The tank tested at.028. I figure I'll do this for the next couple of days to get to .025.

I just thought I would pass along the importance of using a refractometer.

bertoni · 01/25/2007, 03:56 PM

If the refractometer was calibrated with distilled or RO-DI water, it might not be accurate. This article might help:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php

Also, the PinPoint 53 mS conductivity standard can be used.

jbarone · 01/25/2007, 04:18 PM

Great read. Thanks Bertoni. I'll give the homemade standard as described a try.

Duddly01 · 01/25/2007, 05:06 PM

I do, especially on my quarantine tank for hypo. I have purchased several hydrometers in the past and none of them had the same reading. Some with a .005ppt to .008ppt difference.

a4twenty · 01/25/2007, 05:22 PM

those deep six hydrometers need to be conditioned in saltwater before use or they are useless.

i use a refractometer but the IO hydrometer i had before reads within 1/2 a point of the refractometer. ( i still check every once in a while )

jbarone · 01/25/2007, 06:35 PM

Yes it does need calibration. Followed the instructions to the letter before getting started. Makes me wonder if my refractometer is way off. I'm going to get some calibration fluid like Bertoni mentioned above.

woodstock '69 · 01/25/2007, 08:03 PM

I was also very curious about these measurers so when I started my tank (about 9 weeks ago) I did a little experiment.

There are 3 dedicated reef-only lfs in the Richmond area. I bought an instant ocean box type hydrometer for about 7 bucks and thought I could have each lfs match it against their refractometers and I would just adjust my readings up or down to match theirs. (The process took a few weeks - I did it twice at each lfs to improve the odds?)

Well all 3 were different. One lfs tested their coral tank and got 1.025 on their refractometer and 1.026 on mine. So I needed to lower mine by .001 to match.

The second lfs measured his coral tank and got 1.023 on their refractometer and 1.026 on mine. So I needed to lower mine by .003 to match.

The third lfs measured his coral tank and got 1.024 on their refractometer and 1.026 on mine. So I needed to lower mine by .002 to match.

So I decided which lfs I trusted the most and took his measurement. (-.001)

Last week I bought a refractometer. It matches with the one from the lfs who I trusted the most as well.

Don't know how this can help you but I sure thought it was interesting.

Michael

zma21 · 01/25/2007, 08:08 PM

My deep six reads within a half point of my buddies refractometer.

jbarone · 01/26/2007, 05:36 AM

I do appreciate all the info. I'm taking my refractometer to the LFS today. I'll see what how it compares to the one they use, and also my Deep Six Hydrometer.

megs1 · 01/26/2007, 07:28 AM

I had to hydrometer's and everytime I took water to my LFS it ready 3 to 4 points higher on the refractometer. I even tested his water on the hydrometer and it still read high compared to the refractometer. I received a refractometer for Xmas and I calibrated it and it reads like the one at my LFS. I'm glad too because my Selinity was too hig and I didn't know it because my Hydrometer was reading low. I think a Refractometer is a great tool.

jbarone · 01/26/2007, 04:42 PM

Well, today I took my Deep Six and my refactometer to the LFS. The refractometer read .026 and the Deep six was .0226. The refractometer was also compared to the readings of the store refractometer and they read the same. I'm glad I had it checked. I also ordered some PinPoint 53 mS conductivity standard for future calibration. I think for the money they are well worth it.

mjm1969 · 01/26/2007, 07:15 PM

Thought I was at 1.021 per my hydrometer, had it checked yesterday afternoon with a calibrated Refractometer and it was 1.026. Ordered one as soon as I got home.

drummereef · 01/26/2007, 07:56 PM

Calibrating it according to Randy's specs really does work.

dbartco · 01/26/2007, 08:25 PM

the are definitely $$ well spent

WaterKeeper · 01/26/2007, 08:50 PM

There are many things that can give false hydrometer readings. Very few effect a refractometer. With low cost ones now commonly available use the refractometer.

jbarone · 01/26/2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WaterKeeper
There are many things that can give false hydrometer readings. Very few effect a refractometer. With low cost ones now commonly available use the refractometer.

Well put.

01/25/2007, 03:54 PM	#1
jbarone Government Sponge Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Troy, IL Posts: 936	How many people use refractometers? I've been using a Deep Six Hydrometer since day one, about 10 weeks in now. Today my refractomer arrived. After calibating, my tank tested at .030. The hydrometer was reading .024. I topped off for eveporation, and it checked at .029. I drained a gallon, and added a gallon of fresh RO. The tank tested at.028. I figure I'll do this for the next couple of days to get to .025. I just thought I would pass along the importance of using a refractometer.

01/25/2007, 03:56 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	If the refractometer was calibrated with distilled or RO-DI water, it might not be accurate. This article might help: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php Also, the PinPoint 53 mS conductivity standard can be used. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/25/2007, 08:08 PM	#8
zma21 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,453	My deep six reads within a half point of my buddies refractometer. __________________ SCA 50 Starfire: In Progress Current Tank Info: 20 High -> 40 Cube -> Nanocube 12 DX -> 25 Gallon Rimless -> 10 Gallon AGA Temporary Tank -> JBJ 24 LED -> SCA Starfire 50 Cube

01/26/2007, 07:15 PM	#12
mjm1969 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 99	Thought I was at 1.021 per my hydrometer, had it checked yesterday afternoon with a calibrated Refractometer and it was 1.026. Ordered one as soon as I got home. __________________ Michael Current Tank Info: 120RR FOWLR Awaiting release from storage

01/26/2007, 07:56 PM	#13
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Calibrating it according to Randy's specs really does work. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

01/25/2007, 04:18 PM	#3
jbarone Government Sponge Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Troy, IL Posts: 936	Great read. Thanks Bertoni. I'll give the homemade standard as described a try.

01/25/2007, 05:06 PM	#4
Duddly01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Valencia, SoCal Posts: 648	I do, especially on my quarantine tank for hypo. I have purchased several hydrometers in the past and none of them had the same reading. Some with a .005ppt to .008ppt difference.

01/25/2007, 05:22 PM	#5
a4twenty Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,603	those deep six hydrometers need to be conditioned in saltwater before use or they are useless. i use a refractometer but the IO hydrometer i had before reads within 1/2 a point of the refractometer. ( i still check every once in a while )

01/25/2007, 06:35 PM	#6
jbarone Government Sponge Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Troy, IL Posts: 936	Yes it does need calibration. Followed the instructions to the letter before getting started. Makes me wonder if my refractometer is way off. I'm going to get some calibration fluid like Bertoni mentioned above.

01/25/2007, 08:03 PM	#7
woodstock '69 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: central virginia Posts: 368	I was also very curious about these measurers so when I started my tank (about 9 weeks ago) I did a little experiment. There are 3 dedicated reef-only lfs in the Richmond area. I bought an instant ocean box type hydrometer for about 7 bucks and thought I could have each lfs match it against their refractometers and I would just adjust my readings up or down to match theirs. (The process took a few weeks - I did it twice at each lfs to improve the odds?) Well all 3 were different. One lfs tested their coral tank and got 1.025 on their refractometer and 1.026 on mine. So I needed to lower mine by .001 to match. The second lfs measured his coral tank and got 1.023 on their refractometer and 1.026 on mine. So I needed to lower mine by .003 to match. The third lfs measured his coral tank and got 1.024 on their refractometer and 1.026 on mine. So I needed to lower mine by .002 to match. So I decided which lfs I trusted the most and took his measurement. (-.001) Last week I bought a refractometer. It matches with the one from the lfs who I trusted the most as well. Don't know how this can help you but I sure thought it was interesting. Michael

01/26/2007, 05:36 AM	#9
jbarone Government Sponge Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Troy, IL Posts: 936	I do appreciate all the info. I'm taking my refractometer to the LFS today. I'll see what how it compares to the one they use, and also my Deep Six Hydrometer.

01/26/2007, 07:28 AM	#10
megs1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 66	I had to hydrometer's and everytime I took water to my LFS it ready 3 to 4 points higher on the refractometer. I even tested his water on the hydrometer and it still read high compared to the refractometer. I received a refractometer for Xmas and I calibrated it and it reads like the one at my LFS. I'm glad too because my Selinity was too hig and I didn't know it because my Hydrometer was reading low. I think a Refractometer is a great tool.

01/26/2007, 04:42 PM	#11
jbarone Government Sponge Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Troy, IL Posts: 936	Well, today I took my Deep Six and my refactometer to the LFS. The refractometer read .026 and the Deep six was .0226. The refractometer was also compared to the readings of the store refractometer and they read the same. I'm glad I had it checked. I also ordered some PinPoint 53 mS conductivity standard for future calibration. I think for the money they are well worth it.

01/26/2007, 08:25 PM	#14
dbartco Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Purcellville, VA Posts: 67	the are definitely $$ well spent __________________ Doug Current Tank Info: 310 gal sps, 65 gal anemone

01/26/2007, 08:50 PM	#15
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	There are many things that can give false hydrometer readings. Very few effect a refractometer. With low cost ones now commonly available use the refractometer. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29