refractometer

cintec · 02/01/2012, 12:43 PM

just got my refractometer previously been using a hydrometer. Not that impressed with the refractometer you can focus the thing but I find the letters and numbering scale to be very small I can just barely make out my salinity is 1.025.

is there a way of making the scale larger and easy to read?

Make is a D&D H2Ocean Salinity Refractometer.

fishgate · 02/01/2012, 12:48 PM

probably not...

Sugar Magnolia · 02/01/2012, 01:26 PM

Reading glasses, magnifying glass? I have a hard time reading mine too. My bifocals just don't do it.

SneakyPete · 02/01/2012, 01:39 PM

I have 2 refractometers. The first one was a cheap one I bought on ebay. Couldn't read the darn thing. Blurry, small numbers, and it didn't hold calibration worth beans.

I just recieved one from BRS, and man, the difference is night and day! I have no problem reading the "notches". I don't know anything about yours, but if it was a "cheap" one, getting better one may be the trick.

fishmanfabiano · 02/01/2012, 01:45 PM

refractometers are definitly pin point accurate, ive been in the hobby over a decade and i find that usually hydrometers work just fine for normal applications, id only really reccomend a refractometer to someone whos doing scientific research as they are the ones who will need the conditions to be pin point accurate every time so their experiments arent altered. i dont know of anyways to make lettering larger on there, usually what you see is what you get. if youd like a good refractometer expect to spend at least $100.

cintec · 02/01/2012, 01:54 PM

there is nothing wrong with my vision I don't usually have any trouble reading but everything seems way too small. I will try it again when it is brightest tomorrow.

aleonn · 02/01/2012, 02:22 PM

My old Ebay refractometer was tough to read, but the new one I got from BRS has much bigger print. One key is bright lighting. Also, I wonder if you can use a digital camera on macro setting to take a picture of the reading?

disc1 · 02/01/2012, 02:25 PM

I've found that I need to use a bright light to read mine. Opening the hood on the tank and reading it under my tank lights with the actinics on really highlights the blue section and makes it a lot easier to read.

f3honda4me · 02/01/2012, 02:37 PM

+1 on the BRS. I have no problem reading it.

tmerf11 · 02/01/2012, 02:40 PM

I always point mine right at one of the lights that's on in the room for the tank or bathroom if I'm mixing water. If I just look through it out into the room it's much harder to read but if I stand under a light and point it right at it, it's much easier.

UCT · 02/01/2012, 04:59 PM

I use a flashlight when I want to estimate between the last two marked lines. Don't know that it needs to be that accurate though.

a.browning · 02/01/2012, 08:31 PM

I have the BRS one as well. Compared to other brands I have played with, the BRS one has the largest print by far.

tunafishe · 02/01/2012, 10:00 PM

I also just got the BRS one. I like it a lot but still tough for me to read. And i'm only 33 years old!

cintec · 02/02/2012, 05:53 AM

when I used it under strong sun light today the print was easier to read guess it just needs stronger light source.

symon_say · 02/02/2012, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cintec

when I used it under strong sun light today the print was easier to read guess it just needs stronger light source.

That's what i do, and if its at night i go to my FW tank and point the T5 to the refractometer and is as bright as sun light, but a small flash light could do the trick to.

02/01/2012, 12:43 PM	#1
cintec Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ireland Posts: 116	refractometer just got my refractometer previously been using a hydrometer. Not that impressed with the refractometer you can focus the thing but I find the letters and numbering scale to be very small I can just barely make out my salinity is 1.025. is there a way of making the scale larger and easy to read? Make is a D&D H2Ocean Salinity Refractometer.

02/01/2012, 12:48 PM	#2
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	probably not... __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

02/01/2012, 01:26 PM	#3
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Reading glasses, magnifying glass? I have a hard time reading mine too. My bifocals just don't do it. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

02/01/2012, 01:39 PM	#4
SneakyPete I see you Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northwestern Minnesota Posts: 513	I have 2 refractometers. The first one was a cheap one I bought on ebay. Couldn't read the darn thing. Blurry, small numbers, and it didn't hold calibration worth beans. I just recieved one from BRS, and man, the difference is night and day! I have no problem reading the "notches". I don't know anything about yours, but if it was a "cheap" one, getting better one may be the trick. __________________ 40B in recovery mode Trumpet coral, Kenya tree, unknown Zoa Skunk Cleaner, 2 Ocellaris Clowns, Royal Gramma Current Tank Info: 40B w 29 sump. 50 lbs rock

02/01/2012, 02:25 PM	#8
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	I've found that I need to use a bright light to read mine. Opening the hood on the tank and reading it under my tank lights with the actinics on really highlights the blue section and makes it a lot easier to read. __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

02/01/2012, 01:45 PM	#5
fishmanfabiano Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: new jersey Posts: 22	refractometers are definitly pin point accurate, ive been in the hobby over a decade and i find that usually hydrometers work just fine for normal applications, id only really reccomend a refractometer to someone whos doing scientific research as they are the ones who will need the conditions to be pin point accurate every time so their experiments arent altered. i dont know of anyways to make lettering larger on there, usually what you see is what you get. if youd like a good refractometer expect to spend at least $100.

02/01/2012, 01:54 PM	#6
cintec Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ireland Posts: 116	there is nothing wrong with my vision I don't usually have any trouble reading but everything seems way too small. I will try it again when it is brightest tomorrow.

02/01/2012, 02:22 PM	#7
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	My old Ebay refractometer was tough to read, but the new one I got from BRS has much bigger print. One key is bright lighting. Also, I wonder if you can use a digital camera on macro setting to take a picture of the reading?

02/01/2012, 02:37 PM	#9
f3honda4me Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,218	+1 on the BRS. I have no problem reading it.

02/01/2012, 02:40 PM	#10
tmerf11 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 115	I always point mine right at one of the lights that's on in the room for the tank or bathroom if I'm mixing water. If I just look through it out into the room it's much harder to read but if I stand under a light and point it right at it, it's much easier.

02/01/2012, 04:59 PM	#11
UCT Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: 90720 Posts: 142	I use a flashlight when I want to estimate between the last two marked lines. Don't know that it needs to be that accurate though.

02/01/2012, 08:31 PM	#12
a.browning Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 975	I have the BRS one as well. Compared to other brands I have played with, the BRS one has the largest print by far. __________________ 75 SPS, 80 & 45 Frag Tank, 40B Leather Tank

02/01/2012, 10:00 PM	#13
tunafishe Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 60	I also just got the BRS one. I like it a lot but still tough for me to read. And i'm only 33 years old!

02/02/2012, 05:53 AM	#14
cintec Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ireland Posts: 116	when I used it under strong sun light today the print was easier to read guess it just needs stronger light source.