Hydrometer Readings differ

[darkdancer333]

I was thinking my salinity level was ok but when I took sample water to reef store it was off.

I have a hydrometer/thermometer the one that floats when you test. I would shut the power head off an let it float. I was getting a reading of 1022-1024/.

When I bought this the guy at the reef store calibrated it..

Today I took the sample water to another store and the gal tested it and my salinity was about 1028

She said this was way to high. She used the ocean reef hydrometer. I purchased the smaller one which was Kent Marine but I have to let it set for 24 hours...

 

How does one calibrate the floating hydrometer??

Can it be that far off??

[TwiceBanned]

Never used a floater. I've used the needle kind and the one I had was near spot on with a refractometer. I've heard a lot of bad things about anything other than a refractometer. Use at your own risk I suppose.

 

This coming from a guy with a plastic skull in a freshwater tank.

[frankdontsurf]

Id asume the floater would be susceptible to build up of algae and salt and it would lose accuracy.

[darkdancer333]

Id asume the floater would be susceptible to build up of algae and salt and it would lose accuracy.

The floater I only use to test I have a regular thermometer in the tank

[frankdontsurf]

The floater I only use to test I have a regular thermometer in the tank

hydrometer or thermometer? A floating thermometer will be affected by the ambient temps above the tank (especially if there are lights above it). Im confused now but ive been drinking.

[darkdancer333]

hydrometer or thermometer? A floating thermometer will be affected by the ambient temps above the tank (especially if there are lights above it). Im confused now but ive been drinking.

i use the folating hydrometer to just test it never stays in the tank I have a separate thermometer for that

[KyleRay31]

But a refractometer $40 from BRS, end of story.

[FlowerMama]

or go to Amazon and get one for $30.

[frankdontsurf]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002DK1YU/ref=aw_wl_ov_dp_1_4?colid=13NH85WIRIITK&coliid=IURV5PORUOIIF thanks Jedi

[KyleRay31]

Either way you do it you are gonna wanna get a refractometer.

[jedimasterben]

Floating hydrometers are much more accurate that swing-arm hydrometers and refractometers. I would trust it above all else so long as you have kept it clean, rinsing it off with clean freshwater after each use, etc.

[darkdancer333]

Either way you do it you are gonna wanna get a refractometer.

I ordered one off ebay for 27

 

RHS 10ATC

[darkdancer333]

I ordered one off ebay for 27

 

RHS 10ATC

I just tested with the Kent Marine an my water salinity was 1024.. So all seems good atm.. Phosphates dropped a bit. They down to 2.0

Ammonia still a tad high

[metrokat]

Anybody thinking of buying a refractometer should ask their LFS for the newest release by Red Sea. It's going to be about $75 but well worth it since it measure absolute salinity. Links below to read about it.

 

http://www.redseafish.com/red-sea-salts/seawater-refractometer-salinity-test/

 

http://reefbuilders.com/2014/02/12/red-sea-seawater-refractometer/

 

http://www.reefs.com/blog/2014/02/20/video-red-sea-showcases-new-reef-spec-refractometer/

[darkdancer333]

Anybody thinking of buying a refractometer should ask their LFS for the newest release by Red Sea. It's going to be about $75 but well worth it since it measure absolute salinity. Links below to read about it.

 

http://www.redseafish.com/red-sea-salts/seawater-refractometer-salinity-test/

 

http://reefbuilders.com/2014/02/12/red-sea-seawater-refractometer/

 

http://www.reefs.com/blog/2014/02/20/video-red-sea-showcases-new-reef-spec-refractometer/

I have to watch the budget lol

I had to purchase

1. Phosguard for Phosphates

2. Marine buffer to raide PH

3.Reef Builder to raise Alkalinity

4. Product to remove chlorine, ammonia, etc.

5. Phosphate test kit

6. New hydrometer

7.Aiptasia Remover

8.Some plant to help with phosphates

I am sure most of this is an overkill but I assume it doesnt hurt to have..

[Gilligan]

That seems like an awful lot of product, although I don't know your situation.

 

I have the MIlwaukee digital refractometer. They are around a hundred clams but well worth it imo.

Not really much money when you see what you can spend elsewhere on less vital instruments and products.

 

I already have a telescope and think the Milwaukee is easier to use.

 

It calibrates with a drop of distilled or other known sample and a push of a button. I haven't had to recalibrate it yet it's been maybe 2 months so far? I check it once in a while with a drop off distilled water I keep in a little jug just for this purpose.

 

If you only get one piece of tech for reefing, this would be a good investment.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-MA887-Refractometer-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B007Z4ITWU

[darkdancer333]

That seems like an awful lot of product, although I don't know your situation.

 

I have the MIlwaukee digital refractometer. They are around a hundred clams but well worth it imo.

Not really much money when you see what you can spend elsewhere on less vital instruments and products.

 

I already have a telescope and think the Milwaukee is easier to use.

 

It calibrates with a drop of distilled or other known sample and a push of a button. I haven't had to recalibrate it yet it's been maybe 2 months so far? I check it once in a while with a drop off distilled water I keep in a little jug just for this purpose.

 

If you only get one piece of tech for reefing, this would be a good investment.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-MA887-Refractometer-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B007Z4ITWU

this is what I got

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-New-RHS-10ATC-Salinity-Refractometer-0-10-ATC-Aquarium-Saltwater-USA-/390800689011?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160

[Gilligan]

Right on it should give you some piece of mind.

[LEEWINK]

Yup, a refractometer in this game's the way to go, I have the D+D one (Deltec), calibrated it simply with RO/DI to get a zero, then off ya go it even temperature compensates, takes all the hassle out of it, leave them floaty type hydro's on the shelf, for beer they were ok in the past, for this, nah

 

Reef on, Lee

 

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/seawater-refractometer

[darkdancer333]

Yup, a refractometer in this game's the way to go, I have the D+D one (Deltec), calibrated it simply with RO/DI to get a zero, then off ya go it even temperature compensates, takes all the hassle out of it, leave them floaty type hydro's on the shelf, for beer they were ok in the past, for this, nah

 

Reef on, Lee

 

http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/seawater-refractometer

thats funny because back in the 80-90's thats what I used for old reef tank

[LEEWINK]

Not saying they're that bad, but for costs of a refract. today, and their reliability, its better now than then, and of course maybe refracts. weren't so hot and up there back then either, or maybe just not easily available if at all I don't know

 

I remember my bro's first marine tank, he used floaty types then too

[jedimasterben]

Not saying they're that bad, but for costs of a refract. today, and their reliability, its better now than then, and of course maybe refracts. weren't so hot and up there back then either, or maybe just not easily available if at all I don't know

 

I remember my bro's first marine tank, he used floaty types then too

Considering that a quality floating hydrometer is more accurate than a refractometer, the cost is worth it versus $30-80 refractometers.

[LEEWINK]

In the context of the original post, it shows all aren't, a quality floater for less than $30 (or to me about £20) ? really, i'd rather have a decent named and quality assured refractometer.

[darkdancer333]

In the context of the original post, it shows all aren't, a quality floater for less than $30 (or to me about £20) ? really, i'd rather have a decent named and quality assured refractometer.

I was in hurry to order refractometer and now I saw its coming from Hong Kong lol That will take 2 weeks or so

[spazizz]

What's a good quality floater? I was just going to get hagen floater(can't beat $12) because my swing arm isn't working any more after 7 years. I guess I stepped on it to much. I was going to just calibrate the hagen to LFS water.

 

Considering that a quality floating hydrometer is more accurate than a refractometer, the cost is worth it versus $30-80 refractometers.

 

 

My swing arm was consistent and only off by 0.001, I almost want to get another but if the floaters are more reliable then Ill go that route.