Hydrometer Horror

[Eric]

Well I know better than anyone not to trust a Hydrometer but I haven't had a refractometer since I been back in the hobby.

My Deep six has been reading 1.022 so the past few weeks i have been slowly raising it to 1.024 I noticed things in my tank have looked off since I did this and knew something was up with my SG but i thought it was on the low side, today my refractometer shows up and I checked my water, then my friends water, and rodi water just to make sure it was reading correct.

I went to my tank again fearing what I already knew and low and behold the reading was 1.031 way off.

So here is one more horror story about hydrometers, thankfully I didn't go to 1.026 as planned or there may have been permanent damage.

 

[BigJay]

Re: Hydrometer Horror

yeah my deep six that I got with the used tank I bought is the most inaccurate of any hydrometer I have ever tested nearly 7 points off just like yours.

 

[XeniaLee]

Re: Hydrometer Horror

I was just about to buy a refractometer from Fosters and Smith. they are on sale for $47.99 and that sounds like a good deal. But is there a special brand I should buy?

 

[Eric]

Re: Hydrometer Horror

I have used these for years also given a few away for the photo contests, they are a little cheaper than $47.00

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

[Val]

Re: Hydrometer Horror

I got a used Deep Six with the 180g tank I bought. I checked it against my refractometer and it was off about the same as yours Eric. I just trashed it.

 

[XeniaLee]

Re: Hydrometer Horror

Thanks for the info Eric! I bought it on Ebay, and saved some money! (Money that will, no doubt, be spent on my tank some other way).

 

[Eric]

Re: Hydrometer Horror

Val I may make a video of blow torching this piece of crap, or maybe hit it with a 3" slug, you get the idea

A what to do with your brand new Deep Six hydrometer when you get it home

Not a problem Lee.

 

[Val]

Re: Hydrometer Horror

Val I may make a video of blow torching this piece of crap, or maybe hit it with a 3" slug, you get the idea

A what to do with your brand new Deep Six hydrometer when you get it home

Not a problem Lee.

lol, if you make that video show what the hydro reads compared to the refracto first. Might as well make a valid point along with the fun.

 

[mastocker]

Re: Hydrometer Horror

Yup they are inaccurate, but at least they are consistently inaccurate?
:hammerhea

 

[Frankie]

I edited the title for you and removed the broken link for the chainsaw emoticon. You cannot use these in the titles

 

[DanSReef]

When I set up my new RO/DI system... I purchased a F&S Refractometer. It was an awesome investment... for accuracy and good piece of mind.

Hey Eric... looking forward to the 3" slug video... Hmmmmm I think there is a contest in that lidea.... Best Hydrometer Destruction Video.....

 

[r2d2]

I got mine in ebay for $24 and is very accurate and easy to use. I still have my hydrometer because I dont want it in trash can where it belongs...

 

[anewguy]

yea same problem here. except mine is from IO.

and then this moments later with my refractometer that came with calibration fluid.

 

[XeniaLee]

very cool post! I just now got the refractometer that I ordered off of ebay. Took forever to get here, and it was shipped from only 100 miles from here.
Anyhow, I tested my water, and it was 1.024 on the new refractometer, and 1.0245 with my swing arm hydrometer. Not bad!
Oh, when I first set up my tank, I took the hydrometer to my lfs, and they tested it against a refractometer, and told me that it was surprisingly close to accurate. So I guess I happened to get a good one, and it's still close to accurate. So in answer to Mastocker - yes they are consistantly inaccurate IMO.

 

[ALreefer]

I just recently purchased a refractometer so I would no longer have to rely on my LFS for an accurate reading. I have been using a deep six hydrometer and surprisingly it is reading accurately, or at least it is reading the same as my new refractometer and my LFS's hydrometer. Kind of sad to say I have a oddball hydrometer that actually reads accurately.

 

[mastocker]

...and my LFS's hydrometer.

I went to a LFS that had a hydrometer and I asked why they don't use a refractometer. They had never heard of one. I walked out immediately.

 

[fishhound]

I believe I have read that you have to be certain to check the temp at which a certain hydrometer is calibrated at. It has been said that a change of 10 degrees F plus or minus is followed by a SG reading of about .001. For instance my hydrometer is calibrated at 68F... a 1.022 reading is actually 1.025 at 79F. I would have never known if I hadn't had the LFS check my SG. Definetly gonna buy a refractometer asap. You get what you pay for I guess.

 

[Cloudburst2000]

I still use a hydrometer almost daily. However, I have a refractometer that I use to calibrate the hydrometer weekly. Once I check the hydrometer calibration, it normally doesn't change as long as I clean it well between testings. It's a pain to calibrate the refractometer every day. I use the refractometer when I do water changes, but I like to check SG daily. I use the hydrometer for that. They do have their uses. People just need to make sure that they calibrate the hydrometers themselves next to a refractometer. If you don't have a refractometer, then take it to your LFS for calibration against their refractometer. The scales on the hydrometers are notoriously off calibration so you should ALWAYS calibrate it before initial use.

 

[steved13]

I use a milwaukee instruments digital refractometer. It's a little more pricey but very easy to calibrate, use, read, and care for. I have trouble seeing the little lines in the optical, and there is no guessing with the digital readout. It automatically adjusts for the temp.

Well worth the investment.

 

[Reddog170]

I keep my hydrometer around just in case. i check it against my refractometer once a week and know that it is 4 points low. Just a double check if I ever question my refractometer.