Swing Arm Hydrometers

MINIATUS · 02-01-2004, 09:29 AM

Ok i stepped on mine this morning and it dont swing no more. I need to mix salt today and while Im waiting to order a Refractometer I need something. So which do you find to be the most accurate SeaTest or Deep6. Opinions for and against apreciated.

MINIATUS

Alf · 02-01-2004, 11:57 AM

Hi Min I posted on your other thread.

But before my refractor I always used the seatest.

MINIATUS · 02-01-2004, 12:13 PM

Alf How accurate was it

MIN

Dracunculus · 02-01-2004, 02:06 PM

I used to use a SeaTest until I got my refractometer. Not sure if this will apply to you, but my SeaTest was reading low...found that my SG was at 1.029, when it was reading 1.025 on the SeaTest. This is after about a year's use, so it might be different with a new hydrometer.

Gina · 02-01-2004, 02:42 PM

Ours ran low also! At least compared to what the refrac. told us.
Make sure (I'm sure you already know) to rinse it out real well.

Curtswearing · 02-01-2004, 04:31 PM

If you don't rinse them out with tapwater after every use, salt will dry on the arm and they will start to read low after a while. I have found them to be fairly accurate when new and that is what I use mid-week. On the weekends, I drag out my refractometer.

addict · 02-01-2004, 05:06 PM

My Seatest also reads right on the money... I just got my refrac yesterday and surprisingly enough the swingarm was accurate.
I bought the RHS-10ATC refractometer off ebay and it's a great little device... at the price I got it for I didn't expect it to be as nice as it is... (was expecting plastic and it's cast metal).

Boomer · 02-01-2004, 05:53 PM

If you don't rinse them out with tapwater after every use, salt will dry on the arm and they will start to read low after a while

Even tap water is not a good idea.Much better off with RO/DI. Even then once a month they should be soaked in vinegar for a couple of hrs.

Don't foget, that refracts will always read a bit low, as they are actually calibrated with NaCl and not seawater, which has a higher refractive index. If you want your salinity at 35 ppt NSW, the refract should be about 1.027, not 1.026

caja · 02-01-2004, 06:09 PM

I have two hydrometers. my sea test hydrometer also reads low, I prefer the deep six.

man I really need to get my refractometer calibrated so I can ditch these hydrometers.

Craig Manoukian · 02-01-2004, 06:34 PM

boomer,

Too lazy to look up the other thread at the moment, where you went into detailon the subject of refractometers vs hydrometers. Is the Salinity reading off proportionately to the SG reading of the refractometer? TIA!

reefrunner · 02-01-2004, 06:39 PM

Quote:

man I really need to get my refractometer calibrated so I can ditch these hydrometers

All it takes is a couple drops of RO/DI water, the calibration screwdriver and a minute or two of your time.

Boomer · 02-01-2004, 06:42 PM

Yes Cragi /say

Refract 35 ppt NSW Salinity = 1.027 SG ATC

If it is a Seatest or Swing Arm type 35 ppt Salinity NSW = 1.026 at any normal temperature

If a floater and it is 1.026 at about 75-77 tank temp = 35 ppt NSW If the tank temp is 82 F or so then 1.025 for 35 ppt NSW Salinity.

This is if they are all calibrated correctley and assumed or proven accurate.

All it takes is a couple drops of RO/DI water, the calibration screwdriver and a minute or two of your time.

Yes, but it will still read .001 points to low. They are still set at the factory to a NaCl solution, so all you are really doing is zero'ing it out.

Craig Manoukian · 02-01-2004, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefrunner
All it takes is a couple drops of RO/DI water, the calibration screwdriver and a minute or two of your time.

Kevin,

What value in the viewer do you set the RO/DI reading at to calibrate?

Boomer,

Thanks!

Boomer · 02-01-2004, 06:48 PM

Zero or 1.00 if it looks like this

VINA DEL MAR · 02-01-2004, 06:49 PM

Sea Test for sure is better!Rinse it well after using it and store it with some RO/DI water.
VINA

02-01-2004, 09:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
MINIATUS Torch coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St.Thomas,Ontario Posts: 506 View Gallery Karma Komment	Swing Arm Hydrometers Ok i stepped on mine this morning and it dont swing no more. I need to mix salt today and while Im waiting to order a Refractometer I need something. So which do you find to be the most accurate SeaTest or Deep6. Opinions for and against apreciated. MINIATUS

02-01-2004, 11:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
Alf Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Venus, Texas Posts: 262 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hi Min I posted on your other thread. But before my refractor I always used the seatest. __________________ Robert http://www.bf2player.com/sig/351848.png

02-01-2004, 02:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dracunculus Midas Blenny Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 95 View Gallery Karma Komment	I used to use a SeaTest until I got my refractometer. Not sure if this will apply to you, but my SeaTest was reading low...found that my SG was at 1.029, when it was reading 1.025 on the SeaTest. This is after about a year's use, so it might be different with a new hydrometer. __________________ If you are not a part of the solution, then you are a part of the precipitate.

02-01-2004, 02:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,842 View Gallery Karma Komment	Ours ran low also! At least compared to what the refrac. told us. Make sure (I'm sure you already know) to rinse it out real well. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

02-01-2004, 04:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Curtswearing Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,597 View Gallery Karma Komment	If you don't rinse them out with tapwater after every use, salt will dry on the arm and they will start to read low after a while. I have found them to be fairly accurate when new and that is what I use mid-week. On the weekends, I drag out my refractometer. __________________ In memory of Fluffy, please pause before hitting enter---being nice is free. Click for ReefKeeping FAQ'S Click for Product Reviews Click for Photo ID Gallery http://curtcpapfs.com/downloads/1Curt.jpg

02-01-2004, 12:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
MINIATUS Torch coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St.Thomas,Ontario Posts: 506 View Gallery Karma Komment	Alf How accurate was it MIN

02-01-2004, 05:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
addict Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sierra Nevada Country Posts: 1,621 View Gallery Karma Komment	My Seatest also reads right on the money... I just got my refrac yesterday and surprisingly enough the swingarm was accurate. I bought the RHS-10ATC refractometer off ebay and it's a great little device... at the price I got it for I didn't expect it to be as nice as it is... (was expecting plastic and it's cast metal). __________________ -David *addict's tank specs:* Coming soon!

02-01-2004, 05:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,609 View Gallery Karma Komment	If you don't rinse them out with tapwater after every use, salt will dry on the arm and they will start to read low after a while Even tap water is not a good idea.Much better off with RO/DI. Even then once a month they should be soaked in vinegar for a couple of hrs. Don't foget, that refracts will always read a bit low, as they are actually calibrated with NaCl and not seawater, which has a higher refractive index. If you want your salinity at 35 ppt NSW, the refract should be about 1.027, not 1.026 __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

02-01-2004, 06:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
caja Cabbage Leather Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 371 View Gallery Karma Komment	I have two hydrometers. my sea test hydrometer also reads low, I prefer the deep six. man I really need to get my refractometer calibrated so I can ditch these hydrometers.

02-01-2004, 06:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 19,012 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	boomer, Too lazy to look up the other thread at the moment, where you went into detailon the subject of refractometers vs hydrometers. Is the Salinity reading off proportionately to the SG reading of the refractometer? TIA! __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

02-01-2004, 06:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,609 View Gallery Karma Komment	Yes Cragi /say Refract 35 ppt NSW Salinity = 1.027 SG ATC If it is a Seatest or Swing Arm type 35 ppt Salinity NSW = 1.026 at any normal temperature If a floater and it is 1.026 at about 75-77 tank temp = 35 ppt NSW If the tank temp is 82 F or so then 1.025 for 35 ppt NSW Salinity. This is if they are all calibrated correctley and assumed or proven accurate. All it takes is a couple drops of RO/DI water, the calibration screwdriver and a minute or two of your time. Yes, but it will still read .001 points to low. They are still set at the factory to a NaCl solution, so all you are really doing is zero'ing it out. __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be. Last edited by Boomer : 02-01-2004 at 06:47 PM.

02-01-2004, 06:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,609 View Gallery Karma Komment	Zero or 1.00 if it looks like this __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be. Last edited by Boomer : 02-01-2004 at 06:52 PM.

02-01-2004, 06:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
VINA DEL MAR Torch coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 514 View Gallery Karma Komment	Sea Test for sure is better!Rinse it well after using it and store it with some RO/DI water. VINA __________________ 90 gl. reef ready all glass tank,sump capacity 15 gl,2 400 watts radium bulbs,2 03 actinics 110 watts VHO,2 50/50 110 VHO,ozone reactor,sterilizer and the most important of all;Lots of love for my tank!

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