View Full Version : Freaking hate refractometers.
So, I must be getting old.
I can't read my refract anymore. I have to stare at the thing for 10min before I finally settle on...."looks like 1.026? 27?"
There has to be a better way.
Even my glass hydrometer I have a hard time reading.
Any accurate digital ones out there?
Piranha_Owns
08/16/2015, 11:11 AM
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/milwaukee-digital-seawater-refractometer.html
snorvich
08/16/2015, 11:38 AM
So, I must be getting old.
I can't read my refract anymore. I have to stare at the thing for 10min before I finally settle on...."looks like 1.026? 27?"
There has to be a better way.
Even my glass hydrometer I have a hard time reading.
Any accurate digital ones out there?
Get one of the lighted background ones. Helps a lot. Every instrument will have a standard error of the mean which the the reading you see +/- a factor.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/milwaukee-digital-seawater-refractometer.html
I've always heard those are insanely inconsistent.....is that true?
shifty51008
08/16/2015, 12:11 PM
pinpoint
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pinpoint-salinity-monitor.html
Do any of the controllers come with one?
If not I may get the pin point. I didn't know they made one.
:eek:
Just the probe for the apex is 125 buck....
Pinpoint here I come.
vhuang168
08/16/2015, 01:49 PM
Are those conductivity probes or salinity probes? I know the Neptune one is a conductivity probe.
While you can calculate salinity from conductivity, the probes are notorious for drifting out of calibration.
Neptune recommends not using the probe to test for salinity to use for the ATO.
I've used the digital Milwaukee refractometer and I like the simplicity and accuracy. Simple check is to drop some rodi and take a reading. 1.000 and you are good.
Harry_Y
08/16/2015, 03:39 PM
Try looking at different lights
dkeller_nc
08/16/2015, 04:00 PM
I've always heard those are insanely inconsistent.....is that true?
No. Properly treated they're dead-on accurate. Where people get into trouble is storing them in their tank cabinet (which corrodes the electronics), or not religiously cleaning off the measurement cell after each use. They're awesome - get one.
shadow64
08/16/2015, 04:00 PM
Milwaukee Digital Seawater Refractometer
jason2459
08/16/2015, 08:18 PM
Veegee/vitalsine is my goto and favorite device I've used to measure salinity and much easier to read then any other refractometer I've used. The Milwaukee digital and pinpoint are good too and use them as well.
Looks like I know what I'm getting next payday.
I need to buy some corals. All this craps getting in the way.
Vinny Kreyling
08/17/2015, 08:48 AM
Try a magnifying glass on your hydrometer.
Don't know if it would work on a refractometer.
When I use mine I always try to use sunlight for increased clarity and brightness.
Look thru the window.
ryeguyy84
08/17/2015, 08:56 AM
Agree with above, go outside and look at it. your neighbors might look at you like your a weirdo but its the best light
cmcoker
08/17/2015, 09:04 AM
I have used my phone's camera to take images on a microscope, I would think you could use it for the refracto meter as well and zoom , might have to make a stand of some sort to line them up easily though...
I know they make iPhone cases that have an attachment to allow lining up to a microscope easily, that might work as well...
Tweaked
08/17/2015, 10:54 AM
No. Properly treated they're dead-on accurate. Where people get into trouble is storing them in their tank cabinet (which corrodes the electronics), or not religiously cleaning off the measurement cell after each use. They're awesome - get one.
This, great piece of testing equipment!!
RWEngineer
08/17/2015, 11:08 AM
This, great piece of testing equipment!!
The specs state accuracy of +- 0.002 S.G.
Tweaked
08/17/2015, 11:09 AM
The specs state accuracy of +- 0.002 S.G.
good enough for government work lol
reefsahoy
08/17/2015, 11:11 AM
Cheapest fix, get someone else to read it or buy glasses. Lol
Cheapest fix, get someone else to read it or buy glasses. Lol
Glasses!?
Nevaaaaaaaaaa!!!
Vinny Kreyling
08/17/2015, 11:46 AM
Never say Nevaaaaaaaaaa!!!
alton
08/18/2015, 05:31 AM
If you really hate refractometers go old school and use a Tropic Marin glass Hydrometer, never needs calibrating. The only rule is just don't drop it.
Hitch08
08/18/2015, 07:18 AM
LOL. I had to unscrew the piece that you look into so far that after I put the rubber piece back on it wouldn't fit in the case.
oseymour
08/18/2015, 07:21 AM
I've always heard those are insanely inconsistent.....is that true?
Mine was insanely incorrect I ended up selling it and getting the digital refractometer.
If you really hate refractometers go old school and use a Tropic Marin glass Hydrometer, never needs calibrating. The only rule is just don't drop it.
Even those are a pain to read.
I use a hydro for brewing beer and I have a hard time reading it.
Mayberry
08/18/2015, 07:58 AM
The optics don't lie.... Just make sure you use a good calibration fluid!
Buzz1329
08/19/2015, 02:24 AM
Great thread.
FWIW, the place where I work recently received 2 x Red Sea refractometers. After calibrating with 35 ppt solution (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18717&cmpid=03cseYY&ref=XXXX&subref=AA&ref=6111&cmpid=03csegb&gclid=CP-Lre7btMcCFUgWHwod938NfQ&kpid=72999), one was off by 5 ppt, the other by 1 ppt.
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