refractometer or salinity monitor

[serankko]

Hey guys I'm trying to decide what to buy... a American Marine Pinpoint Salinity Monitor or a Captive Purity Refractometer with Calibration Dial... What do you guys recommend me ????

Thanks

[serankko]

Or please let me know where I can find some info and I will read it...

Thanks again

[serankko]

bump

[goodfortune]

I'd go with the refractometer; very accurate and only $50 or so.

If it is what I'm thinking, the salinity monitor works like a pH probe. Salinity monitors are much more expensive too. I don't know about it's accuracy, but I can't imagine it being better than a refractometer.

Hope I've helped!

- Michael

[Schwaggs]

I have no experience with a salinity monitor but I can tell you to save the $20 and get a refractometer without the calibration knob. My refractometer needed adjusting only once in the 2+ years I have had it. I would think the knob would only serve as an easy way to bump it out of calibration....

[mojo]

Originally Posted by goodfortune

If it is what I'm thinking, the salinity monitor works like a pH probe.

I'm not sure if you're talking about the technical nature of a salinity monitor or just the fact that it's in the same type package. A salinity monitor is actually based on a conductivity probe, measuring the flow of electricity through water, measured in micro Seimens (mS). This value can be used to determine the salinity of the water.

Unfortunately, this is not 100% accurate, as there are other ions in the water that affect the conductivity readings. It's just that sodium and chloride make up the overwhelming majority of the ions, giving a salinity reading.