Heather_H Posted November 15, 2004 Share Posted November 15, 2004 I just got a refractometer.... I tested it against my hydrometer and the water comes out .02 higher on the refractometer then the hydrometer... Do I need to calibrate the refractometer somehow? or is it just that my hydrometer is really that inaccurate? for instance.. the hydrometer is saying 1.023 and the refractometer is saying 1.025 Link to comment
EtOH_is_good Posted November 15, 2004 Share Posted November 15, 2004 no it really can be that different. this is why i recommend the refractometer. to calibrate usually drop some water on the buisness end and turn screw so that scale reads zero(?). adjusted once and forgot. Link to comment
ParaDiddle Posted November 15, 2004 Share Posted November 15, 2004 If you want to be super accurate, you can buy a test solution to calibrate your rafractometer against for a couple bucks. Link to comment
Daemonfly Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 I just use new distilled water to calibrate mine. Well, I've never actually had to calibrate it yet. But when I first got it, I tested it, and every once in a while, I check it against distilled to make sure it's still right on. Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 I agree...amazing how inaccurate the standard hydrometer is when compared to refractometer...can't believe all my LFS still use the hydro. Link to comment
EtOH_is_good Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 reason they use hydrometers is probably cost and potential sales. just think of all the broken refractometers or five finger discounts if refractormeters were used by the lfs staff and just laying around. also much easier to sell a $10 hydrometer with a sw package than a >$45 refractometer. Link to comment
Rita Sullivan Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 Hi, very new but interested in getting a refractometer. Anybody have a good place to order one. Link to comment
milhouse74 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 Made me feel like I was being neglectful to my fish when I tested my water with a refract for the first time. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...=2020&subref=AC Great deal Link to comment
milhouse74 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 You think yours was off????? http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.p...threadid=467027 Link to comment
Heather_H Posted November 17, 2004 Author Share Posted November 17, 2004 I dont feel so bad now haha... although I am slowly trying to bring my salinity back down to where I "thought" it was to begin with..... maybe my corals will be happier then the are now! Link to comment
Samc Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 BTW, 1.025-26 is the normal range for seawater, so if anything 1.023 is a little on the low side. It should be fine though. Sam Link to comment
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