Refractometer recommendations

Tswifty · 02/23/2008, 11:31 PM

I'm about to purchase a refractometer and would like some recommendations about where to purchase on from...

Thanks

mg426 · 02/24/2008, 01:22 AM

www.liveaquaria.com has a decent selection. Try and get one with ATC features (auto temp compensation). You will also need to verify your refractometers accuracy at the range that you are going to use it at (1.026). Get your self some Pinpoint calibration solution and take the guess work out of the equation.

danskim · 02/24/2008, 01:36 AM

I think he meant drsfostersmith (same thing anyways). I thought PA had it cheaper... but it's not in stock, and it's more expensive.

haitwun · 02/24/2008, 02:40 AM

I got mine from Marine Depot. It does what it is supposed to do and has given me no problems thus far.

snorvich · 02/24/2008, 06:16 AM

I got mine from Marine Depot as well. I also looked at Ebay. The pinpoint solution makes life easy but Randy also has a calibration fluid mix.

Norward · 02/24/2008, 11:13 AM

got mine from e-bay for 20 plus 8 s&h. however, seller never responded to whether they had calibration fluid. If you can get both at the same time, that may be the better deal

IslandCrow · 02/24/2008, 11:49 AM

I have the Marine Depot brand refractometer. It's relatively inexpensive, and over the past year, I've had no problems. It was perfectly calibrated when it arrived, and I haven't had to touch the calibration yet.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/24/2008, 11:57 AM

How did you check it?

lloydkeller · 02/24/2008, 12:52 PM

got mine at ebay 44.00 works perfectly its the exact same one you see elsewhere for 69 have had it a year perfect readings everytime, quality product very well made

IslandCrow · 02/25/2008, 01:18 AM

I checked mine 3 ways. First, at 0 with RO/DI, and then of course the checks that actual mean something. I checked both with a homemade calibration fluid, which was a couple ppt off, but I'm chalking that up to a measurement error on my part, since the store bought calibration fluid was spot on, as was my second attempt at homemade calibration fluid. I continue to check the calibration about once a month using the same batch of homemade solution (sealed in an airtight container of course).

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/25/2008, 07:49 AM

Sounds good!

since the store bought calibration fluid was spot on

The Pinpoint fluid?

IslandCrow · 02/25/2008, 08:30 AM

I believe it was Pinpoint, but I'm not sure. It was awhile ago, and I borrowed it from a Geologist friend of mine. He was also nice enough to let me use his measuring equipment so I could make up a good batch of my own calibration fluid using your recipe with table salt.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/25/2008, 09:48 AM

Happy Reefing.

NewFish3 · 02/25/2008, 10:44 AM

You can get a SYBON FG100SA for $49.95 at aquacave

www.aquacave.com

afish70 · 02/25/2008, 11:12 AM

here is a good one with a good price.

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/199289/product.web

CSMReef · 02/25/2008, 11:55 AM

I purchased mine from Drs.F&S. They all do the same thing and as long as they have the auto temp correction you'll be good to go!

Tswifty · 02/28/2008, 08:17 PM

Sybon or Marine Depot?

Is one better than the other?

They both have the ATC

Sybon Refractometer

Marine Depot Refractometer

Thanks!

02/23/2008, 11:31 PM	#1
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Refractometer recommendations I'm about to purchase a refractometer and would like some recommendations about where to purchase on from... Thanks __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

02/24/2008, 01:22 AM	#2
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	www.liveaquaria.com has a decent selection. Try and get one with ATC features (auto temp compensation). You will also need to verify your refractometers accuracy at the range that you are going to use it at (1.026). Get your self some Pinpoint calibration solution and take the guess work out of the equation. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

02/24/2008, 01:36 AM	#3
danskim Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 1,639	I think he meant drsfostersmith (same thing anyways). I thought PA had it cheaper... but it's not in stock, and it's more expensive. __________________ Dan The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever. -Jacques Cousteau

02/24/2008, 06:16 AM	#5
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	I got mine from Marine Depot as well. I also looked at Ebay. The pinpoint solution makes life easy but Randy also has a calibration fluid mix. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

02/24/2008, 11:49 AM	#7
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I have the Marine Depot brand refractometer. It's relatively inexpensive, and over the past year, I've had no problems. It was perfectly calibrated when it arrived, and I haven't had to touch the calibration yet. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

02/24/2008, 02:40 AM	#4
haitwun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 282	I got mine from Marine Depot. It does what it is supposed to do and has given me no problems thus far.

02/24/2008, 11:13 AM	#6
Norward Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Little Rock Posts: 407	got mine from e-bay for 20 plus 8 s&h. however, seller never responded to whether they had calibration fluid. If you can get both at the same time, that may be the better deal

02/24/2008, 11:57 AM	#8
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	How did you check it? __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/24/2008, 12:52 PM	#9
lloydkeller Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ca Posts: 563	got mine at ebay 44.00 works perfectly its the exact same one you see elsewhere for 69 have had it a year perfect readings everytime, quality product very well made

02/25/2008, 01:18 AM	#10
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I checked mine 3 ways. First, at 0 with RO/DI, and then of course the checks that actual mean something. I checked both with a homemade calibration fluid, which was a couple ppt off, but I'm chalking that up to a measurement error on my part, since the store bought calibration fluid was spot on, as was my second attempt at homemade calibration fluid. I continue to check the calibration about once a month using the same batch of homemade solution (sealed in an airtight container of course). __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

02/25/2008, 07:49 AM	#11
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Sounds good! since the store bought calibration fluid was spot on The Pinpoint fluid? __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/25/2008, 08:30 AM	#12
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I believe it was Pinpoint, but I'm not sure. It was awhile ago, and I borrowed it from a Geologist friend of mine. He was also nice enough to let me use his measuring equipment so I could make up a good batch of my own calibration fluid using your recipe with table salt. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

02/25/2008, 09:48 AM	#13
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Happy Reefing. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/25/2008, 10:44 AM	#14
NewFish3 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,096	You can get a SYBON FG100SA for $49.95 at aquacave www.aquacave.com __________________ On a scuba dive in the Cayman Islands, I kept thinking.........Why is that Fish getting bigger.........Then it hit me Current Tank Info: 7 years saltwater.. Setting up a 120 gal reef. Office BioCube 14...1 perc clown, 1 royal gramma, 1 six line wrasse, fire shrimp, cleaner shrimp, green stripe, brown shrooms, coco worm, purple leather, Misc CUC

02/25/2008, 11:12 AM	#15
afish70 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Tampa Posts: 688	here is a good one with a good price. http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/199289/product.web

02/25/2008, 11:55 AM	#16
CSMReef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 83	I purchased mine from Drs.F&S. They all do the same thing and as long as they have the auto temp correction you'll be good to go!

02/28/2008, 08:17 PM	#17
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Sybon or Marine Depot? Is one better than the other? They both have the ATC Sybon Refractometer Marine Depot Refractometer Thanks! __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover