Which Refractor?

[Birddogm33]

Wanting to buy one, but thought I'd ask for suggestions. I don't need a real fancy one, just one that does the job and won't break the bank. Do I need one with ATC? It sounds good, but is it something you really need? I have been away from the hobby for a number of years and used the floating type for salinity. Will that work just as well? Thanks in advance for the replies!! Jay :headwalls:

[downbeach]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refractometer-for-reading-salinity-with-calibration-fluid.html

[cordell]

I have had the Premium Aquatics Refractometer (http://premiumaquatics.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=REFRACT-PA-K&Category_Code=) for a year now and haven't had a problem with it yet. The scale is easy to read and it was calibrated when I got it.

Get some calibration fluid so you can check it every now and then... don't use RO/DI water!

I can imagine most of the ones you'll find on the major sites around $40-50 will be fine.

[jackde]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refractometer-for-reading-salinity-with-calibration-fluid.html

I got one of these and all I can say is unless you have perfect eye sight forget it. Had to go back to my old swing arm.

[yort265]

I have the one mentioned above from BRS... and like jackde says, it's not all that easy to read to get a precise measurement. It's great for a ballpark measurement, to make sure you're not way off, but if you're OCD about it (like me) you may want to check into something different.. Haven't tried any other refractometer except the Hanna Instruments Digital Seawater Refractometer (HI96822)... I bought mine from Marine Depot for around $170, but it sure does make checking salinity SUPER easy -- and VERY precise! I'm very impressed!

[Birddogm33]

Thank you all for the info.. still up in the air on which to get but still better than nothing.

[triggreef]

I have had the Premium Aquatics Refractometer (http://premiumaquatics.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code=REFRACT-PA-K&Category_Code=) for a year now and haven't had a problem with it yet. The scale is easy to read and it was calibrated when I got it.

Get some calibration fluid so you can check it every now and then... don't use RO/DI water!

I can imagine most of the ones you'll find on the major sites around $40-50 will be fine.

:thumbsup: thats what I got seems just fine. comes calibrated. was .004 higher than my instant ocean hydrometer. But I already knew that would be the difference.

[NH Fish]

I have the Milwaukee digital which is the same as the Hanna but for some reason much cheaper

[sleepydoc]

I've found the light source I use to read my refractometer makes a difference. Daylight and certain fluorescents give a much sharper and easier to read line than incandescent lights.

[cromedogg33]

You need a calibrated one. They are all the same at some point.