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Northeast Florida Marine Aquarium Society  Our purpose is to enhance the hobby by promoting the exchange of information, equipment, and livestock. We are located in NE Florida within the Great City Of Jacksonville and welcome all to join from both the surrounding areas and from distant locations. Check us out at www.nfmas.org |
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03-25-2008, 07:21 PM
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#1
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Plankton
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Callahan, Florida
Posts: 33
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Refractometer vrs hydometer
I would like to get some opinions/feed back on these two pieces of equipment? I've been using a " Instant Ocean" hydrometer for about a year now, with no problems. Thinking of purchacing an refractometer. I remember the old saying "if it's not broken don't fix it". So I thought I would bounce it off you guys.
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Jerry
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03-25-2008, 07:46 PM
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#2
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 671
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Refractometer Much More Accurate
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Debs 
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03-25-2008, 07:49 PM
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#3
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This Space For Rent!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 2,212
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I still use my old IO hydrometer a lot of the time...But I know now that it reads .003 low.
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03-25-2008, 07:59 PM
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#4
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: beach
Posts: 105
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We use a refractometer to calibrate all of our hydrometers. You would be amazed at the different readings you can get from hydrometers. Usually hydro's will stay consistant after being broken in.
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03-25-2008, 08:12 PM
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#5
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Shark
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 1,853
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A refractometer is far better than a hydrometer IMO. The more sensitive your life stock the more important it is to have a refractometer.
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When you think you know it all..................
NFMAS.org
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03-25-2008, 08:23 PM
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#6
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Fernandina Beach, FL
Posts: 323
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Refractometer definately. Super easy, and very accurate.
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03-25-2008, 08:52 PM
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#7
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 148
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I could never be quite sure how acurate my hydrometer was, I would get two different readings when measured back to back. I would definately go with the refractometer, IMO.
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one little fishy....two little fishy....
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03-25-2008, 09:01 PM
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#8
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: florida
Posts: 852
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeAtJax
A refractometer is far better than a hydrometer IMO. The more sensitive your life stock the more important it is to have a refractometer.
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How very very true
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03-25-2008, 11:32 PM
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#9
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Non-Hypocritical
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hillbillyville Alabama
Posts: 8,064
Reviews: 11
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I had an Instant Ocean Hydrometer and it would give me a different reading every time I used it. It came in a 12G nano kit I bought. The refractometer I have cost me 31 dollars (including shipping) and I have not regretted one penny of it.
For accuracy, a refractometer will beat a hydrometer every single time. |
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03-26-2008, 11:19 AM
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#10
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Posts: 793
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How important is accuracy? What is the ideal level of salinity? Does the accuracy of the salinity only effect corals?
I just have fish and xenia What should my salinity be?
Thanks
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03-26-2008, 01:14 PM
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#11
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Non-Hypocritical
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hillbillyville Alabama
Posts: 8,064
Reviews: 11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matt_vasko
How important is accuracy? What is the ideal level of salinity? Does the accuracy of the salinity only effect corals?
I just have fish and xenia What should my salinity be?
Thanks
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Start out with a target of 1.023. That seems to be the best "average" salinity. I think what is more important than a "perfect salinity" is consistency. It is good to have it as close to what is most desirable but a steady salinity of 1.024 is better than a salinity that fluctuates from 1.022 to 1.026. The average salinity is the same but the fluctuations cause problems.
You will always have slight swings due to evaporation. The inconsistency I think of most is what people get when trying to adjust the salinity constantly to get the "perfect salinity".
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03-26-2008, 01:20 PM
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#12
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Have you seen my truck?
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 407
Reviews: 1
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just orderded my refractometer my Deep Six is ok but I want to be certain.
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David
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03-26-2008, 02:52 PM
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#13
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This Space For Rent!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 2,212
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OneDummHikk
Start out with a target of 1.023. That seems to be the best "average" salinity. I think what is more important than a "perfect salinity" is consistency. It is good to have it as close to what is most desirable but a steady salinity of 1.024 is better than a salinity that fluctuates from 1.022 to 1.026. The average salinity is the same but the fluctuations cause problems.
You will always have slight swings due to evaporation. The inconsistency I think of most is what people get when trying to adjust the salinity constantly to get the "perfect salinity".
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I agree with the theory (although I shoot for around 1.025 myself). You really need a refractometer to at least double check things from time to time. Knowing now that my hydrometer is off, if I targeted 1.023 it would really be 1.020. That would probably lead to some unhappy animals.
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03-26-2008, 03:01 PM
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#14
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 34,135
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Debs
Refractometer Much More Accurate
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