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I was recently at my local sw fish store buying some supplies for the nano tank i am setting up and when i asked him for his reccomendation for a hydrometer. He told me that in his opinion they are useless. He took out 3 of the same brand of hydrometers they sold (The original SeaTest Specific Gravity Meter) And took some water from a tank and each one showed a significantly different number. He then told me a refractometer is the only way to go. Now i understand that would be more accurate but i am not goign to spend nearly as much money as the tank costed just to test salt content. Now i was wondering was this guy just trying to take me because he knew i was new to salt water or was there truth to what he was saying. Sinse i spent quite a bit at that time he ended up giving me this hydrometer for free anyways. Now i am wondering if i should just try and use this one (which didnt show a proper reading at the store) or should i buy a better one. On BigAls i found two that interested me the Coralife Deep Six Hydrometer and the Instant Ocean Hydrometer. Which one do you prefur? Any input would be appreciated.

Steve

With the swing arm type you want ot make sure there are no bubbles on the arm. This will give you a different reading. A refractometer will give you the most accurate reading. I checked my swing arm type agenst my hydromoter that I use to brew beer, and the difference was next to nothing. If you jam the hydromoter in to the water and pull it out, yes, it will give different readings.



Dan

Refractometers aren't as expensive as skimmers and stuff like that. They're getting cheaper than they used to be, too. I went refractometer and it's so easy to use; I'm quite satisfied with it.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

I love using my refractometer since it gives an accurate reading and it can be easily calibrated.Why not have any measurement you take be as accurate as possible?

It is in my opinion that hydrometers, WHEN USED PROPERLY, will give you nearly as accurate a reading as refractometers. That said, watching out for bubbles, salt deposits, etc. is probably worth the difference in price as far as hydrometers go. I am very satisfied with mine(Instant Ocean). I would recommend it.

Its easier and cheaper to go with a refractometer. Hydrometers need to be replaced atleast every 12 months because they start getting even more inaccurate. The Sea test hydrometers are probably one of the most inaccurate swing arm hydrometers that I have used.

For $50 you can get a refractometer that will last you a lifetime if you take care of it.

Heh, I got my refractometer on sale for $30 if memory serves me right; the big drop in price is surprising, but the refractometer is a good one. It's apparently portable too, so I guess if I ever want to test the salinity of random places I go to... :%) Though a hydrometer is useful for those fair-weather Nemo keepers, a refractometer is a good buy for us hardcore SW keepers.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Also keep in mind that a hydrometer can have a longer life it you maintain it well. It can be cleaned with warm vinegar water to remove salt deposits and it should be rinsed after each use with fresh water. I realize that they aren't as accurate as refractometers but we poor people do with what we can.

Sorry I have been out for so long, I'm still keeping the tank up well but updates will come at a later date.

Raider_fish

I am quite satisfied with my coralife deep 6. I rinse it with warm fresh water with each use, that seems to keep it working well. As long as you fill it slowly you won't get air bubbles. Tapping it a few times will knock off air bubbles, too.

Erm maybe I'm a wierdo but I don't even really know what a reftactometer is... Have heard the term, but never seen one.

I'm so adjective, I verb nouns!

how much vinger do u put in to the water when u use warm vinger water?