Refractometer Question

ptbmaniac · 08/25/2013, 09:26 PM

I am looking to get a Portable refractometer and I have no idea which one to get. There are 2 on foster and smith with a big price differential. One is $48.99 the other is $113.99. They both say basically the exact same thing! It also looks like the cheaper unit has better reviews. Would I be ok with the cheaper unit or is the more expensive unit just way better to justify the higher price?

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

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=12132

shifty51008 · 08/25/2013, 09:46 PM

you will be fine with the cheap one, get the calibration fluid also though

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=18717

sam3113 · 08/25/2013, 10:30 PM

I bought the cheap one and it came with calibration fluid. It works fine. The only difference I've ever heard is the cheap one takes 45 seconds for the temperature to adjust before you look through it where the expensive one is instant. No big deal to me. Get the cheap one.

bdsage · 08/25/2013, 11:06 PM

i use the cheapie i just calabrate with nsw i get at high tide since nsw is what i use any way just give it a min. to stableize temp.

ptbmaniac · 08/25/2013, 11:20 PM

I was also advised to check out one on BRS. It comes with the calibration fluid and is cheaper than both units on Foster & Smith! It also has very good reviews! http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/index....t/view/id/843/

pjwperth · 08/26/2013, 01:44 AM

why not use distilled water or rodi and calibrate it to zero

edmondspl · 08/26/2013, 03:05 AM

I have one from BRS and it works great

Ron Reefman · 08/26/2013, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjwperth

why not use distilled water or rodi and calibrate it to zero

Most refractometers calibrated to zero (RO/DI or distilled water), will have an error rate at 1.026. However, I have read that there is one that is designed to be calibrated to zero.

downbeach · 08/26/2013, 05:12 AM

I bought the least expensive refractometer from F&S, along with the calibration fluid, it works fine. I wouldn't doubt that the unit from BRS is OK too, but you'll get free shipping with this amount at F&S, if its all you going to purchase.

Even if your instructions say to use RO/DI/Distilled water, I'd still use the calibration fluid for this reason:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php#13

ptbmaniac · 08/26/2013, 12:56 PM

Thanks everyone! All your opinions are very helpful!

ptbmaniac · 08/26/2013, 01:59 PM

I ended up going with the BRS refractometer!

08/25/2013, 09:46 PM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	you will be fine with the cheap one, get the calibration fluid also though http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=18717 __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

08/25/2013, 11:06 PM	#4
bdsage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 265	i use the cheapie i just calabrate with nsw i get at high tide since nsw is what i use any way just give it a min. to stableize temp. __________________ Easy does it... Current Tank Info: 40b. sps, Metal Halide,big skimmer,lots of flow, barebottom, natural seawater.

08/26/2013, 01:44 AM	#6
pjwperth Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Perth W.A Posts: 276	why not use distilled water or rodi and calibrate it to zero __________________ Don't ask if your not willing to hear the advice from others Current Tank Info: new tank about to set-up my largest so far 72x36x24 wife's idea go large or don't do it

08/25/2013, 09:26 PM	#1
ptbmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage,AK Posts: 51	Refractometer Question I am looking to get a Portable refractometer and I have no idea which one to get. There are 2 on foster and smith with a big price differential. One is $48.99 the other is $113.99. They both say basically the exact same thing! It also looks like the cheaper unit has better reviews. Would I be ok with the cheaper unit or is the more expensive unit just way better to justify the higher price? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...57&pcatid=9957 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=12132

08/25/2013, 10:30 PM	#3
sam3113 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 41	I bought the cheap one and it came with calibration fluid. It works fine. The only difference I've ever heard is the cheap one takes 45 seconds for the temperature to adjust before you look through it where the expensive one is instant. No big deal to me. Get the cheap one.

08/25/2013, 11:20 PM	#5
ptbmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage,AK Posts: 51	I was also advised to check out one on BRS. It comes with the calibration fluid and is cheaper than both units on Foster & Smith! It also has very good reviews! http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/index....t/view/id/843/

08/26/2013, 03:05 AM	#7
edmondspl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 63	I have one from BRS and it works great

08/26/2013, 05:12 AM	#9
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	I bought the least expensive refractometer from F&S, along with the calibration fluid, it works fine. I wouldn't doubt that the unit from BRS is OK too, but you'll get free shipping with this amount at F&S, if its all you going to purchase. Even if your instructions say to use RO/DI/Distilled water, I'd still use the calibration fluid for this reason: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php#13

08/26/2013, 12:56 PM	#10
ptbmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage,AK Posts: 51	Thanks everyone! All your opinions are very helpful!

08/26/2013, 01:59 PM	#11
ptbmaniac Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage,AK Posts: 51	I ended up going with the BRS refractometer!