Dennis_said Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 Which instruments would be the best to measure these components? And is there a way to go cheap? or is this also very important like the testing and all that? swing needle hydrometer, refractometers, or floating hydrometers??? Which way to go? Thanks for any advice, I'm still lost :-D Link to comment
Xwhite Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 A refractometer is the best but also the most expensive. I think you'll pay about 60 dollars for one. John Link to comment
Dennis_said Posted June 4, 2003 Author Share Posted June 4, 2003 I hear w/ the hydrometers, as long as we can control the bubbles and airflow or whatever--so that the water is stable, we should be fine, is this true? Are there any other factors I'm not grasping? Link to comment
Xwhite Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 You can get by with a swing-arm hydrometer. I certainly did. However, I like my refractometer MUCH better. With a swingarm, you just want to make sure you keep the thing thoroughly rinsed after use. When you're taking readings, make sure there aren't any bubbles hanging around and take 2 or three readings just to make sure everything is working as expected. John Link to comment
Dennis_said Posted June 4, 2003 Author Share Posted June 4, 2003 Awesome thanks for the help Link to comment
c_k_kuehne Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 I have done many comparisions between swing arm and refractometers. I have yet to find a swingarm that is acurate. But that has mainly to do w/ swingarms not being calibrated to your tank temp where refractometers auto-calibrate. In all the comparisons I have done if I take the swingarm measurment along w/ a temp and then put it through the conversion charts for that temp the end result has allways matched what the refractometer said. The refractometers have always read about .002 higher than the swingarms. If you go swingarm it is best to find someone w/ a refractometer. You can than make the comparison and find out how much you have to add to get your actual reading. All this probably doesn't matter much to the average hobbiest but thought I would share anyways. Link to comment
Acoustic Posted June 5, 2003 Share Posted June 5, 2003 I use a floaty hydrometer and I am 100% accurate as long as I turn off my rio and let the water stay still. Link to comment
Dennis_said Posted June 5, 2003 Author Share Posted June 5, 2003 Anything wrong w/ teh 7 dollar swing-arm SEATEST brand Hydrometer? Link to comment
Littleoceans Posted June 5, 2003 Share Posted June 5, 2003 Dennis, The person below sells ATC refratometers for $35. I got one from him, it works great if your intrested..... Anthony Yang http://www.aquadesignz.com 949-232-8669 Paypal Account: anthony@classiclimo.com Link to comment
Dennis_said Posted June 5, 2003 Author Share Posted June 5, 2003 Thanks for the advice littleoceans! His looks like a great site to buy stuff from A Refractometer for 35 dollars is REALLY cheap!! Or to me it is Is there anything wrong w/ my 7-dollar swingarm tho by SeaTest? Altho I am probably goin to want this refractometer now Thanks! Link to comment
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