Refractometer questions

[franv]

whats considered the best refractometer on the market?
are they really worth it? (much more acurate than hydro meters?)

[serpentman]

I am not sure which manufacturers are the best. IMO, any refractometer is better than a hydrometer.

[JollyGreen]

I want to know too, at least hear some good things about some of the refractometers, what are the graduations on most peoples refractometers? That would help me out a lot.

[popimp06]

are those digital ones any good ?

[antony1103]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8730364#post8730364 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by popimp06
are those digital ones any good ?

Yup. The best around IMO.

[kimbertent]

i have the Sybon Salinity Refractometer series FG100sa. I really like it..before i bought it i made a post on here about it and i got nothing but good reviews about it.

[drummereef]

I also have a sybon. Got it from www.premiumaquatics.com Works great. No problems what so ever. Using a refractometer is the only way to measure salinity, imo.

[TimTen]

I would stay away from the JBJ diigital one, had really bad luck with it.

[Im14abeer]

The cheap ones are plenty accurate, but they need to be calibrated around the range they will be used. See the rather lengthy and detailed article by RHF for more information.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php

What I've distilled from the article was that I need to calibrate my ATC-10 around seawater's salinity to minimize the inaccuracy.

And JollyGreen, I believe most if not all salt solution refractometers read in both Specific Gravity, and PPT. If you see one that reads in brix it is probably a sugar solution refractometer.

[Aquarist Guru]

Heres a great one no problems with it at all:

http://www.tropicalfishoutlet.com/DryGoodSpecies.asp?DryGoodSubCategoryID=821&DryGoodCategory=Hydrometers

[scott0615]

Milwaukee - ATC is the best. Digital doesn't mean the best, just easiest to read for us older folks.

[scott0615]

After re-reading my post - I meant to say I do not trust the digital types based on experience with them [they require calibration too often]. The Milwaukee is highly accurate just difficult for my eyes to see!

[dippin61]

dunno.. i figure one is better then none.. so i just got one off ebay for 15 bucks :p

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p132/dippin61/4a_1.jpg

[franv]

anyone use this one? its a bit pricey but my missus wants to get me a nice xmass present! mrhttp://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/932/cid/207

[ffwalker]

i have a refract there great and very cheap on ebay dont waste money on hydrometres refracts are pretty much perfect never out by enough to ruin your salinity

[franv]

thanks for advice everyone.... i ordered the Sybon today. i couldnt really find a milwaukee in any european websites...
thx again

[franv]

got my sybon the other day.....AMAZING....so quick and easy.
quick question though...maybe a stupid one!

-after use do u just wipe the prism with a cloth or should i rinse it under a tap??

thanks in advance.

[wrott]

Just wipe dry, rinse a couple of times w/ the water being tested before using.

[franv]

ok cheers.....cant believe how easy they are to use compared to a swing arm!