Who can calibrate my swing arm hydrometer?

[Neto]

I need someone near me to verify my swing arm hydrometer with their refractometer.. I have always used a hydrometer and have heard different opinions on buying a refractometer so i have been holding off.. I have always been curious to see how off is my hydrometr..

 

The closer to me the better! Also, i need your water to be 1.026

 

Thanks!!

[Marc Weaver]

I can help you out, but I keep my water at 1.025.  I have a digital scale and can make calibration solution with table salt to 1.026 as illustrated here http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/

It works, I have done it and verified against purchased calibration solution.  I just don't have enough bought solution to fill a hydrometer.

[flooddc]

Why not just get a refractometer. They are cheap.

Nonetheless, You're welcome to come by to check you hydrometer. My tank is between 1.025 -1.026.

[Origami]

I can help you out, but I keep my water at 1.025.  I have a digital scale and can make calibration solution with table salt to 1.026 as illustrated here http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/

It works, I have done it and verified against purchased calibration solution.  I just don't have enough bought solution to fill a hydrometer.

If you use the saline solution, be sure to follow the formula for hydrometers (3.714%) and not for the refractometer. See Table 5 and Table 2 for comparisons.

 

The most straightforward way to do this is to just measure the SG of some tank water using a calibrated refractometer and to do the same using the uncalibrated hydrometer. Note the difference and you're done. The difference between 1.025 and 1.0264 is very slight and I wouldn't worry about it. If you calibrate at 1.025, the hydrometer will almost certainly be reasonably accurate at 1.0264 (in practical terms).

[TheyCallMeMr.703]

If you use the saline solution, be sure to follow the formula for hydrometers (3.714%) and not for the refractometer. See Table 5 and Table 2 for comparisons.

 

The most straightforward way to do this is to just measure the SG of some tank water using a calibrated refractometer and to do the same using the uncalibrated hydrometer. Note the difference and you're done. The difference between 1.025 and 1.0264 is very slight and I wouldn't worry about it. If you calibrate at 1.025, the hydrometer will almost certainly be reasonably accurate at 1.0264 (in practical terms).

+1

[gmerek2]

Im in frederick if you want to use mine. My tank is at 1.026. Ill have to look at what my calibration fluid is at. I bought some bird nests off you a couple months ago. They are doing great. 

[gmerek2]

There are 2 problems with my swing arms that Im sure you know about. I love them, quick and easy. problem 1) micro bubbles attach to the swing arm floating it off where it should be. These bubbles are hard to see even with my eagle eyes. I flick the thing as hard as I can and sometimes its still hard to get them to come off the arm. 2) You must rinse after use very well every time or the salt will dry on the arm throwing off the weight balance or will dissolve and throw off salt concentration. 

[zygote2k]

I use swing arms 4-6 times per day and keep them upside down in my tool bucket. They wear out after 3-6 months and it's time to get a new one. I check their accuracy against my refractometer and all have been within an acceptable range. The only time swing arms go bad is when they aren't dried off and the accumulation of salts on the swing arm adds "weight".

For all practical purposes, they are good to use. 

I have seen differences in brands though, and have always been partial to Instant Ocean types.

[paul b]

I have been using my swing arm since about 1980 something, no problems yet as I am not big on exact numbers because the sea is not exact.  When I go to a LFS to buy something I ask them to let me know the salinity measured off their refractometer, then I measure that same water with my swing arm and put a line on it with their reading.  I let them spend money on that, just like if I want to test the water, I also let them do that for free.  It works for me.

[Neto]

thanks everyone for your suggestions! I will check with chuck or gmerek because they are close to me.

[GraffitiSpotCorals]

I need someone near me to verify my swing arm hydrometer with their refractometer.. I have always used a hydrometer and have heard different opinions on buying a refractometer so i have been holding off.. I have always been curious to see how off is my hydrometr..

The closer to me the better! Also, i need your water to be 1.026

Thanks!!

What are the different opinions that's holding you back from purchasing a refractometer?

[flooddc]

thanks everyone for your suggestions! I will check with chuck or gmerek because they are close to me.

Actually, you just need to bring a water sample from your tank to either me or Brian (gmerek). We can test the salinity and you can compare it with your hydrometer reading and note the different. 

[Leishman]

Ill be home tonight if you want to swing by.  I'm sure I'm the closest reefer to you - right there in Urbana.

 

PM me if that works.

Edited September 25, 2013 by Leishman

[Neto]

Great, i will pm you later!

[gmerek2]

Wow a man so interesting even Sasquatch took a picture of him. We should all get together and have a refractometer party lol

[Marc Weaver]

Make sure to bring some Dos Equis   

[zygote2k]

Wow a man so interesting even Sasquatch took a picture of him. We should all get together and have a refractometer party lol

 

 

Make sure to bring some Dos Equis   

combine these with 703's Tank Krawl and it sounds like a bomb.

[Neto]

So I found out that my hydrometer has a .005 margin of error, that means that my tank's water is now reading 1.031 instead of 1.026... I guess thats the reason I lost almost 70% of my SPS... We also noticed that the hydrometer has some calcium buildup on the tip of the arm so I guess this was my problem.. 

 

I am going to buy a refractometer tonight... a $30 dollar equipment could have saved me from loosing $100-$200 worth of SPS corals..

 

Thanks Leishman for letting me stop by..

[treesprite]

Try to find one that adjusts to temperature differences.

[Neto]

would something like this work? http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refractometer-for-reading-salinity-with-calibration-fluid.html

[Djplus1]

would something like this work? http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refractometer-for-reading-salinity-with-calibration-fluid.html

Yeah that works. I have one for sale for $20, but I'm leaving for Vegas tomorrow night till Tuesday.

[flooddc]

Yeah that works. I have one for sale for $20, but I'm leaving for Vegas tomorrow night till Tuesday.

Good deal!

 

But if you can't hookup with D-

 

This might turn out cheaper than BRS one (there is a 15-20% coupons flowing around): http://www.marinedepot.com/Captive_Purity_Refractometer_Aquarium_Refractometers-Captive_Purity-CP2111-FITEOPRF-vi.html

 

FIRST500 during check out to receive 15% off the most expensive item in your order at MarineDepot.

Expires: Oct 7, 2013

Edited September 26, 2013 by flooddc

[GraffitiSpotCorals]

 

I am going to buy a refractometer tonight... a $30 dollar equipment could have saved me from loosing $100-$200 worth of sps corals.

Rob said be had to buy new ones twice a year at least. I wonder how many people need new ones the use them every day. Seems like a refractometer pays for its self pretty quick.

[gmerek2]

I use both. The refractometer calibration messed me up since I was new to it. The swing arm saved me and vice versa. While mixing I check with refractometer. At tank I double check tank water after pouring new in.