amay121 March 9, 2008 Share March 9, 2008 Well, After purchasing a shrimp and have him die and getting a second shrimp and having him die instantly, I decide to purchase a calcium and KH test kit along with a refractometer. Here's the quality: Deep Six Hydrometer - 1.025 Marine Depot Portable Refractometer - 1.029 PH - 8.4 Calcium - 460 Alk - 6dKH Nitrite - 0 Ammonia - 0 Nitrate - 0 Temp - 80* Would you trust the Hydrometer or the Refractometer? I'm deciding to trust the Refractometer and I'm starting to lower my SG by replacing 2 cups of tank water for distilled water each day. I had the refractometer reading at 1.031 originally, but wanted to bring it down to 1.025, but once again, which one would you trust? Reading online, they said that the hydrometer is usually tested at 60*F and you have to compensate. I'm taking this with a grain of salt, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt to the refractometer for now. Just wanted to hear some other inputs though. Oh, the 90G should be here on Tuesday (woo hoo). I'm getting excited on the things that I could do with this. My wife is thinking about a color scheme, while I'm just thinking on what I want, but I really want a flame angel (always loved the colors). Also, will probably wait for a frag sale at Mr. Coral or someone else here, I'd really like to get started with some rics and acans. Those look sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highland Reefer March 9, 2008 Share March 9, 2008 I would think the refractometer should be trusted, if it has an auto temp. compensation built in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogurnda March 9, 2008 Share March 9, 2008 Neither, unless they're calibrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amay121 March 9, 2008 Author Share March 9, 2008 I calibrated off of distilled water ONLY. Did not buy the calibration fluid. With distilled water, the refractometer was off by .001. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gastone March 9, 2008 Share March 9, 2008 I'm with Dave on this one. That being said, I would use the refractometer once it's calibrated with salinity calibration fluid a la this. I've had my refractometer read both north and south of true. Once is read 1.026 and it was at 1.031. More recently it read 1.026 when it was actually at 1.022. Garrett. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaironman March 9, 2008 Share March 9, 2008 (edited) Agree on a calibrated refractometer. I had 3 hydrometers from 3 different vendors/manufacturers. All read different and way off. Calibrated refractometer is a better indication of salinity. Edited March 9, 2008 by vaironman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogurnda March 9, 2008 Share March 9, 2008 I calibrated off of distilled water ONLY. Did not buy the calibration fluid. With distilled water, the refractometer was off by .001. The cheap refractometers we use aren't very linear, so pure water is a lousy standard. It's best to either buy a standard or make one like this. Most of the time, I use my cheap hydrometer, but have calibrated it with my refractometer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highland Reefer March 9, 2008 Share March 9, 2008 Neither, unless they're calibrated. Good call. Never assume. I have a cheap SeaTest lever arm from Aqaurium Systems which is surprisingly accurate when compare to a properly calibrated, temp.compensating refratometer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amay121 March 9, 2008 Author Share March 9, 2008 The links will come in handy. Thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite March 9, 2008 Share March 9, 2008 My next piece of equipment is expected to be a refractometer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YBeNormal March 9, 2008 Share March 9, 2008 Hydrometers can be affected by bubbles, residue build up and other issues. Refractometers are generally much more accurate or at least less likely to be inaccurate provided they are calibrated and used properly. Most manufacturers recommend calibration using RO water but that is not the best way to calibrate refractometers used to measure seawater. Here's a very interesting article that explains how refractometers work and why calibration using RO may result in you salinity being higher or lower than the reading on the refractometer: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason the filter freak March 10, 2008 Share March 10, 2008 Got my refractometer in a group buy almost a year and a half ago, only paid like $25 for it. Awesome investment, no more swing arm ever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyDo March 10, 2008 Share March 10, 2008 I need one of these also. So who's going to pick up the reins and run a group buy for these???? Please!!!!!! Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnetic1 March 10, 2008 Share March 10, 2008 I need one of these also. So who's going to pick up the reins and run a group buy for these???? Please!!!!!! Karen Karen, Ebay has them for $25 :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite March 10, 2008 Share March 10, 2008 Karen, Ebay has them for $25 :P It would be nice to avoid shipping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHUBAKAH March 11, 2008 Share March 11, 2008 Count me in on a group buy as well if it happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bk_market March 11, 2008 Share March 11, 2008 i need one also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite March 12, 2008 Share March 12, 2008 so who is going to look for a good deal and run it? VOlunteer anyone? If we can find something in the price range Jason mentioned, I would be In. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bk_market March 13, 2008 Share March 13, 2008 we maybe need to move to groupbuy forum. can the mod look into it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amay121 March 13, 2008 Author Share March 13, 2008 All, I'll be willing to help out set one up. I'll add a new request onto the groupbuy page and will ask around some of the stores to see what I we can get. I need to purchase a few other things anyways, so it won't be a big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite March 13, 2008 Share March 13, 2008 awesome... if we get a deal good enough to fit my nearly non-existent budget! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amay121 March 13, 2008 Author Share March 13, 2008 All, Group Buy for the refractometer is in the Group Buy section. Please check out what I've found out so far and let me know if you want one or not. Anyone interested should NO LONGER reply on this thread. Just go to the Group Buy Thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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