05XRunner Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 well..I never used one of these before. so I just used it for the first time. My hydrometer was reading 1.026 and the refractometer is reading 1.031 I guess that hydrometer was a bit off Link to comment
Codeman Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 well..I never used one of these before.so I just used it for the first time. My hydrometer was reading 1.026 and the refractometer is reading 1.031 I guess that hydrometer was a bit off Did you calibrate the refractometer before you used it? It may be the refractometer that's off... Link to comment
05XRunner Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 nope I had the guy at the LFS do it for me before I took it home...thats what they use and know what they are doing Link to comment
thetaylors Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 now you can justify your purchase as a money maker since you will be saving salt!! Link to comment
05XRunner Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 i just checked it with my bottle of distilled..it was 1 point to high..wouldnt have made any difference. but still..its a little high..not worried though it isnt anything horrible high..I will get it down in the next few days Link to comment
thetaylors Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 helped me sleep better knowing the right measurement, after I had just started my tank.. I much rather use something I can calibrate than to trust manufacturing tolerances. Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Hear this story all the time. It happened to me also. Link to comment
05XRunner Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 well..i only paid $45 for it..if it was more i probably wouldnt have got it Link to comment
thetaylors Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 well..i only paid $45 for it..if it was more i probably wouldnt have got it with you on that too!! Link to comment
Codeman Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Got mine from the group buy at BRS for $30 Link to comment
coralcor Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 i gota get me one of them.... but there friggen expensive Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 i gota get me one of them.... but there friggen expensive Not expensive when you consider the investment in your tank and the need to have accurate results. Link to comment
joel sandoman Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Are those salinity meters better? Link to comment
coralcor Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Not expensive when you consider the investment in your tank and the need to have accurate results. im 14 and got job. got 50$ in case something goes wrong. but i think as long as im consistent. with the SG with my hydrometer i should be ok.. i think. once i get some more $$ im deff getting one. Link to comment
NanoReefNovice Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Be careful b4 you make any salinity changes, i trust a GOOD floating hydrometer over a refrac. But I prob the only one thats going to tell you that. Im going through the same thing right now and i have been using refrac and hydros for years, but not for aquariums. Maybe this will help? http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...t&p=2081200 Link to comment
05XRunner Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 im 14 and got job. got 50$ in case something goes wrong. but i think as long as im consistent. with the SG with my hydrometer i should be ok.. i think. once i get some more $$ im deff getting one. or you could test your water and see what its at...then have smeone with a refactometer test it and see wher eits at..then you can adjust the level you would mix your salt at on the hydrometer and then it would be the same...like mine..if I did that I would just mix my salt to 1.021 on my hydrometer and that would be 1.026 on the refractometer..so if you can do that..cost you nothing. Link to comment
jamesnmandy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 i gota get me one of them.... but there friggen expensive $24 + shipping ($6 for me) on ebay for a ATC model from seller nissales, very satisfied with mine, only need a small calibration, great value, same thing my LFS sells for $80....... Link to comment
chazde3 Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Bought mine used for $30 from a buddy of mine. First time I measured with it I found out that my hydrometer was spot on. The refractometer is still a lot easier to use. Link to comment
jamesnmandy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 im 14 and got job. got 50$ in case something goes wrong. but i think as long as im consistent. with the SG with my hydrometer i should be ok.. i think. once i get some more $$ im deff getting one. i thought so too, took good care of my hydro....and after only two years it was off, tested it against a refractometer when i got it and it was almost spot on, it got worse over time even with regular cleanings, by the 2 year mark it was reading 1.025 and the refractometer was reading 1.032 or so.....so i spent $31 and never looked back Link to comment
NanoReefNovice Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 helped me sleep better knowing the right measurement, after I had just started my tank.. I much rather use something I can calibrate than to trust manufacturing tolerances. Calibration may not bet linear (i.e. accurate at 0 does not meas accurate at 1.025), so use calibration solution in the range ur looking for. Link to comment
jamesnmandy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Calibration may not bet linear (i.e. accurate at 0 does not meas accurate at 1.025), so use calibration solution in the range ur looking for. from what i have read in tests both ways the difference is like .001 between using distilled at zero and fluid at .025, so i would not put too much into it being 1.026 when you think it is 1.025 is fine, or being 1.024....., even 1.023 or 1.027 would not be harmful honestly because your tank is going to vary that much daily anyways....but accurate is always best Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 from what i have read in tests both ways the difference is like .001 between using distilled at zero and fluid at .025, so i would not put too much into it being 1.026 when you think it is 1.025 is fine, or being 1.024....., even 1.023 or 1.027 would not be harmful honestly because your tank is going to vary that much daily anyways....but accurate is always best That would depend entirely on each individual unit. If you happen to get a bad one, it doesn't matter if someone's "test" says there should only be a .001 difference. $4-5 for some solution and piece of mind is worth it to me. Link to comment
jamesnmandy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 That would depend entirely on each individual unit. If you happen to get a bad one, it doesn't matter if someone's "test" says there should only be a .001 difference. $4-5 for some solution and piece of mind is worth it to me. lets just say it like this....my refracto has been checked against my hydro, my brother in laws hydro, and the LFS refractometer also.....taking all things into consideration, and cross-referencing between them taking into account the known variables.....no, it's really not worth $5 for me, but that's me for someone ordering one if they are able to get a cheap bottle of solution tossed in, sure, but i cant get a bottle of solution shipped to me for $5, more like $10 after shipping (none available locally) seriously guys, while i agree with being accurate, sometimes people take things to another unnecessary level Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Define "unnecessary". It's silly to advise people that "everything will be fine" when you cannot make that determination based solely on your experience. You would be completely discounting the potentiality of there ever being a refractometer with a distorted prism. Link to comment
jamesnmandy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Define "unnecessary". It's silly to advise people that "everything will be fine" when you cannot make that determination based solely on your experience. You would be completely discounting the potentiality of there ever being a refractometer with a distorted prism. ok scott, you win, im not spending anymore time trying to convince myself what i know to be true already....you are free to convince the others your way is right and more correct, i gave my experience based on what i know, thats all i can do, i cant spend time worrying about or trying to avoid every possible scenario, sometimes good enough is good enough Link to comment
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