New to saltwater -- Question about hydrometers

pfkalin · 04-28-2008, 08:23 AM

I just purchased a red Sea max saltwater aquarium setup and have added water and live rock so far. When I purchased the aquarium I also purchased a 2nd setuip kit. Thus I have two red seax hydrometers which would be OK except that they give different readings. One I have reads 1.022 while the other reads 1.026. Any suggestions on which one to use?

Also, after some reading I've found that a refractometer seems to be a better way of measuring salininty. Any recommendations on a reasoanably priced one?

Thasnk
Phil

Dentoid · 04-28-2008, 08:30 AM

Welcome to the Sanctuary Phil. Hydrometers are notorious for being inaccuarate. Check out Aquarium supplies for your tropical fish tank, saltwater fish tank, saltwater aquarium fish, freshwater aquarium fish & reef aquarium. Aquarium filters, aquarium lighting, aquarium tanks, protein skimmers & more for your reef tank. for an affordable refractometer. In the meantime, I'd average the two readings.

BigAl07 · 04-28-2008, 08:47 AM

Hello

and welcome Phil

Good to have you here.

Yes you're a PRIME example of the "variances" of hydrometers. That's why we prefer to use a finely calibrated instrument for something as Mission Critical as testing your salinity. What I'd do is get with your LFS or another reefer who has a Refractometer and test a sample of water (yours, theirs etc) with both hydrometers and the refractometer and see which one is accurate. Then be sure to clean that one thoroughly EACH time you use it. Also make a MARK on the "faulty" one showing how it's reading just in case you HAVE to use it. Then save up and get a quality (back-lit) refractometer and keep ONE of the hydrometers as a back up.

Good luck and again Welcome to the REEF!

lcstorc · 04-28-2008, 08:56 AM

Welcome to RS!

Frankie · 04-28-2008, 09:05 AM

Welcome to RS!

04-28-2008, 08:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
pfkalin Tunicate Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	New to saltwater -- Question about hydrometers I just purchased a red Sea max saltwater aquarium setup and have added water and live rock so far. When I purchased the aquarium I also purchased a 2nd setuip kit. Thus I have two red seax hydrometers which would be OK except that they give different readings. One I have reads 1.022 while the other reads 1.026. Any suggestions on which one to use? Also, after some reading I've found that a refractometer seems to be a better way of measuring salininty. Any recommendations on a reasoanably priced one? Thasnk Phil

04-28-2008, 08:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 9,529 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New to saltwater -- Question about hydrometers Welcome to the Sanctuary Phil. Hydrometers are notorious for being inaccuarate. Check out Aquarium supplies for your tropical fish tank, saltwater fish tank, saltwater aquarium fish, freshwater aquarium fish & reef aquarium. Aquarium filters, aquarium lighting, aquarium tanks, protein skimmers & more for your reef tank. for an affordable refractometer. In the meantime, I'd average the two readings. __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

04-28-2008, 08:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 8,843 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New to saltwater -- Question about hydrometers Hello and welcome Phil Good to have you here. Yes you're a PRIME example of the "variances" of hydrometers. That's why we prefer to use a finely calibrated instrument for something as Mission Critical as testing your salinity. What I'd do is get with your LFS or another reefer who has a Refractometer and test a sample of water (yours, theirs etc) with both hydrometers and the refractometer and see which one is accurate. Then be sure to clean that one thoroughly EACH time you use it. Also make a MARK on the "faulty" one showing how it's reading just in case you HAVE to use it. Then save up and get a quality (back-lit) refractometer and keep ONE of the hydrometers as a back up. Good luck and again Welcome to the REEF! __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

04-28-2008, 08:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 16,423 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New to saltwater -- Question about hydrometers Welcome to RS! __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g Jawfish enjoyment ASM answer girl. Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

04-28-2008, 09:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 6,025 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New to saltwater -- Question about hydrometers Welcome to RS! __________________ Visit my aquarium -->Frankie's 120 gal Experiment Bruce: Today's meeting is Step 5: Bring a fish friend. Everyone brought a fish friend? DIY=DO IT YOURSELF! If we ignore the environment maybe it will go away....

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