hydrometer v. refractometer

kathywithbirds · 06-29-2007, 10:02 AM

huh. Just got a new hydrometer after my glass one hit the kitchen floor.

Red Sea swing arm, the LFS guy that I generally trust said it was better than those floating things. It's reading 1.025, out of the "range" which stops at 1.023. ("proper" range accdg to this thing is 1.020 to 1.023.) Is this serious? I can lower it slowly with top off and water changes. How fast is safe?

FYI, ph is steady at 8.4, temp is also rock steady at 82. Haven't started testing for alk and mg, getting tests today.

kimoy · 06-29-2007, 10:06 AM

there is nothing wrohng with your salinity. that is where i keep mine all the time. and i think you should be better be off getting yourself a refractometer.

kathywithbirds · 06-29-2007, 10:11 AM

Yeah, I meant to include that in my question, forgot. thanks!

lcstorc · 06-29-2007, 10:41 AM

IMO a Refractometer is one of the best things you can buy for your reef, Super accurate and really easy to use. FinsDepot had one for about $50 a while ago that I bought and I have been thrilled with it.
If you are gfoing to keep the swing arm rinse it well with RO water after each use and store it upside down. This prevents salt from building up on the arm.

boozeman · 06-29-2007, 10:49 AM

Boomer had recommended the salinity refrac. from the filter guys

kyle1284 · 06-29-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

IMO a Refractometer is one of the best things you can buy for your reef, Super accurate and really easy to use. FinsDepot had one for about $50 a while ago that I bought and I have been thrilled with it.
If you are gfoing to keep the swing arm rinse it well with RO water after each use and store it upside down. This prevents salt from building up on the arm.

ditto with lcstorc!! dont go to you LFS for one though cause i saw the EXACT same one that i have at the LFS for 80 bucks! I got mine on e bay for 50! and i love it!

mswafford17 · 06-29-2007, 01:07 PM

refractometer is the best way to go unless you can afford a digital one. I keep my salinity at 1.025 as well. The red sea hydrometer that you got needs to be "seasoned" for 24 hours before you should use it... season it by filling it with tank water and letting it sit.. Oh I found refractometer for 19.00 on ebay from china and shipping was only 10.00 bucks...

goldenmean · 06-29-2007, 01:08 PM

Refractometers are the way to go!
Hydrometers can be quite inaccurate.

I keep my Sg @1.026

CMG · 06-29-2007, 02:58 PM

I thought I might try to add something but dont take it too seriously because I am curing my LR right now so thats how much I know about this hobby! haha

I bought a hydrometer first and used that for a few days then bought a refractrometer online from marinedepot (they are in california so shipping was faster from them) and the refractrometer gave me the same reading that the hydrometer did. So maybe over time the hydrometers get less accurate?

DrHank · 06-29-2007, 04:21 PM

Darn. I guess I'm old school, I'm still using my old bulb hydrometer that I got in 1972.

lcstorc · 06-29-2007, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMG

I thought I might try to add something but dont take it too seriously because I am curing my LR right now so thats how much I know about this hobby! haha

I bought a hydrometer first and used that for a few days then bought a refractrometer online from marinedepot (they are in california so shipping was faster from them) and the refractrometer gave me the same reading that the hydrometer did. So maybe over time the hydrometers get less accurate?

That is exactly one of the biggest problems., People do not do proper maintenance on the hydrometers and salt builds up on the swing arm causing incorrect results. Also there is an issue with what temp they are calebrated for but thaqt is a bit over my head.

goldenmean · 06-29-2007, 07:13 PM

When I used a swing arm hydrometer I would sometimes get a micro bubble on the swing arm which would affect the reading.

BoomerD · 06-29-2007, 07:17 PM

Doc, did you say old, or old school?

IIRC, the glass hydrometers are deadly accurate...if you know how to use one. Seems like they are built to measure salinity levels at a certain temp, and you have to do actual math to adjust the results if the temp of your water isn't what the hydrometer was made for...(right?...it's been a LOOONG time since I used one.)

The plastic swing-arm chingaderas (not gonna call them a hydrometer) are ok to get close to the right salinity, but they rarely are "right-on accurate".

The refractometers are definitely the way to go for testing your salinity levels. Easy to calibrate, easy to operate, quick and accurate. You do have to be careful when you buy them though...some sellers units are made in China with sub-standard prisms, and are about as accurate as measuring by the smell test...You do get what you pay for...

Kathy...for reef tanks, the recommended salinity range is between 1.024 and 1.026. Fish Only tanks can be kept at lower salinity levels, but there's really no advantage to it.

kathywithbirds · 06-29-2007, 07:59 PM

OK, cool. I'm "curing" my red sea hydrometer in my tank. The fish come over occasionally to check out the readings. I'll probably get another glass hydrometer and use both until I can afford a nice electronic doohickey.

lcstorc · 06-29-2007, 08:03 PM

One of the cool things about a refraqctometer is that it is not an electric doohickey. No batteries or plugs. Just a light to look at and a few drops of water.

06-29-2007, 10:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
kathywithbirds Social Darwinism victim Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Hood, NJ Posts: 5,747 View Gallery Karma Komment	hydrometer v. refractometer huh. Just got a new hydrometer after my glass one hit the kitchen floor. Red Sea swing arm, the LFS guy that I generally trust said it was better than those floating things. It's reading 1.025, out of the "range" which stops at 1.023. ("proper" range accdg to this thing is 1.020 to 1.023.) Is this serious? I can lower it slowly with top off and water changes. How fast is safe? FYI, ph is steady at 8.4, temp is also rock steady at 82. Haven't started testing for alk and mg, getting tests today. __________________ (\_/) (\__/) ( . .) (^.^) (")(") (> <) Bunny and Bunnina have worked things out. Bunny was mistaken after all, Bunnina was not having an affair. "Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." ~Lin Yutang

06-29-2007, 10:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
kimoy Sea Pen Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 338 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: hydrometer v. refractometer there is nothing wrohng with your salinity. that is where i keep mine all the time. and i think you should be better be off getting yourself a refractometer. __________________ 1.20 G pico RR with 2 megaflow kits, aqua c EV180 with mag12, 2x250 DE 12k halides with 2x54 T5 actinic+, 30G phlenum fuge with chaeto, iwaki 55rlt return pump connected to a sea swirl, 4 tunze 6025 inside the main tank for water circulation (2 are modded) 3 Koralias PH(2 #4's and 1 #3) sps,lps,zoas,softies,pink tip BTA tangs - yellow, unicorn, blue hippo, palini and RS Purple Blue Spot Jaw Fish red lyretail anthias pair of spotted mandarin goby wrasse - yellow corris scribble rabbit fish Clown Fish -3 percula high fin shrimp goby clean up crew - various snails and crabs, red linkia star And a 30G AGA softies with clown & diamond head goby

06-29-2007, 10:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
kathywithbirds Social Darwinism victim Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Hood, NJ Posts: 5,747 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: hydrometer v. refractometer Yeah, I meant to include that in my question, forgot. thanks! __________________ (\_/) (\__/) ( . .) (^.^) (")(") (> <) Bunny and Bunnina have worked things out. Bunny was mistaken after all, Bunnina was not having an affair. "Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." ~Lin Yutang

06-29-2007, 10:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,003 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: hydrometer v. refractometer IMO a Refractometer is one of the best things you can buy for your reef, Super accurate and really easy to use. FinsDepot had one for about $50 a while ago that I bought and I have been thrilled with it. If you are gfoing to keep the swing arm rinse it well with RO water after each use and store it upside down. This prevents salt from building up on the arm. __________________ 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 of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

06-29-2007, 10:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: hydrometer v. refractometer Boomer had recommended the salinity refrac. from the filter guys __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

06-29-2007, 01:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
mswafford17 Limpet Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: phoenix az Posts: 126 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: hydrometer v. refractometer refractometer is the best way to go unless you can afford a digital one. I keep my salinity at 1.025 as well. The red sea hydrometer that you got needs to be "seasoned" for 24 hours before you should use it... season it by filling it with tank water and letting it sit.. Oh I found refractometer for 19.00 on ebay from china and shipping was only 10.00 bucks... __________________ 135 Flatback Reef. HUGE POWER BILL. PRICELESS

06-29-2007, 01:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,191 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: hydrometer v. refractometer Refractometers are the way to go! Hydrometers can be quite inaccurate. I keep my Sg @1.026 __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My 2nd-QT-Wrasse My Second Quarantine Tank 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

06-29-2007, 02:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
CMG Torch coral Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sonoma County, CA Posts: 587 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: hydrometer v. refractometer I thought I might try to add something but dont take it too seriously because I am curing my LR right now so thats how much I know about this hobby! haha I bought a hydrometer first and used that for a few days then bought a refractrometer online from marinedepot (they are in california so shipping was faster from them) and the refractrometer gave me the same reading that the hydrometer did. So maybe over time the hydrometers get less accurate?

06-29-2007, 04:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,284 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: hydrometer v. refractometer Darn. I guess I'm old school, I'm still using my old bulb hydrometer that I got in 1972. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

06-29-2007, 07:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,191 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: hydrometer v. refractometer When I used a swing arm hydrometer I would sometimes get a micro bubble on the swing arm which would affect the reading. __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My 2nd-QT-Wrasse My Second Quarantine Tank 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

06-29-2007, 07:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: hydrometer v. refractometer Doc, did you say old, or old school? IIRC, the glass hydrometers are deadly accurate...if you know how to use one. Seems like they are built to measure salinity levels at a certain temp, and you have to do actual math to adjust the results if the temp of your water isn't what the hydrometer was made for...(right?...it's been a LOOONG time since I used one.) The plastic swing-arm chingaderas (not gonna call them a hydrometer) are ok to get close to the right salinity, but they rarely are "right-on accurate". The refractometers are definitely the way to go for testing your salinity levels. Easy to calibrate, easy to operate, quick and accurate. You do have to be careful when you buy them though...some sellers units are made in China with sub-standard prisms, and are about as accurate as measuring by the smell test...You do get what you pay for... Kathy...for reef tanks, the recommended salinity range is between 1.024 and 1.026. Fish Only tanks can be kept at lower salinity levels, but there's really no advantage to it. __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

06-29-2007, 07:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
kathywithbirds Social Darwinism victim Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Hood, NJ Posts: 5,747 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: hydrometer v. refractometer OK, cool. I'm "curing" my red sea hydrometer in my tank. The fish come over occasionally to check out the readings. I'll probably get another glass hydrometer and use both until I can afford a nice electronic doohickey. __________________ (\_/) (\__/) ( . .) (^.^) (")(") (> <) Bunny and Bunnina have worked things out. Bunny was mistaken after all, Bunnina was not having an affair. "Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." ~Lin Yutang

06-29-2007, 08:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,003 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: hydrometer v. refractometer One of the cool things about a refraqctometer is that it is not an electric doohickey. No batteries or plugs. Just a light to look at and a few drops of water. __________________ 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 of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

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