refractometer

stiltman · 12/19/2009, 05:09 PM

I'm shopping for one now, since I've been using a $7 hydrometer for the last 2 years I'm thinking I can get by with one of the cheaper models out there.

Is there much difference between the best and the cheapest? So far I just see that calibration may be a bit easier in the more expensive models. Is calibrating hard?

I'm thinking about the lower end models from big al's or foster and smith's.

Thanks.

Jared J · 12/19/2009, 05:21 PM

MarineDepot has one on sale right now for $39.99, reg $59.99. I think my wife saw my email and bought me one

rareform · 12/19/2009, 05:31 PM

I got mine from ebay and it looks just like marinedepot for 39.99 but it was only like 20.00 I can't say if is as good but looks the same and works great for me.

discus510 · 12/19/2009, 07:21 PM

i think its all the same. just depend on.... if ur a brand name junkie or not and if u want to pay more for the extra feature

tkeracer619 · 12/19/2009, 07:30 PM

ebay for half off specials. $20 all day long. Make sure to get one for aquariums that has the proper scale and some calibration fluid.

I really am surprised LFS don't have them for $30. They would sell one to every customer and make good profit vs selling them for $100 and maybe selling 1 a year...

rkb · 12/19/2009, 07:34 PM

I have one like the "Marine Depot" version and it is just fine. I do recommend getting a standard solution to calibrate with over using RO water. RO will get close but if your buying a refractometer "close" is not what you are interested in our you would still playing with a swing arm.

stiltman · 12/19/2009, 08:29 PM

thanks all

sunnyday · 12/19/2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared J

MarineDepot has one on sale right now for $39.99, reg $59.99. I think my wife saw my email and bought me one

+1
I have the MarineDepot one as well, for the same price. It is not at all difficult to calibrate and very easy to use. I calibrate mine monthly with RO/DI water.

bean59 · 12/19/2009, 10:03 PM

got mine on ebay also. easy to use

checkx1 · 12/19/2009, 10:09 PM

$27.00 shipped ATC refractometer on ebay.
And I have been calibrating with distilled water. Most likely
will purchase the AMP salinity calibration fluid on my next
bundle online purchase.

TRichardson79 · 12/21/2009, 01:10 AM

Got mine from Bulk Reef Supply for $40 and it came with calibration solution.

Jared J · 12/22/2009, 01:46 PM

wasn't there a link somewhere to making a proper calibration solution?

jbardwel · 12/22/2009, 02:18 PM

I can recommend Tropic Marin Precision hydrometers (accept no substitute) instead of a refractometer. I cant be bothered calibrating a refractometer. I am not alone. I bought my 260 gal reef set up from a guy that had the salt way off because he hadnt calibarated his refractometer. There is a highly accurate hydrometer out there, it is much more accurate than any aquarium refractometer and never needs calibration. It is
Tropic Marin Precision hydrometer (accept no substitute)
It is accurate to 0.0005 count those zeros folks, it is about 10X more accuate than aquarium refractometers (whose scales doent even go that low).
they are about $36 and really easy to use.

Jared J · 12/22/2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbardwel

I can recommend Tropic Marin Precision hydrometers (accept no substitute) instead of a refractometer. I cant be bothered calibrating a refractometer. I am not alone. I bought my 260 gal reef set up from a guy that had the salt way off because he hadnt calibarated his refractometer. There is a highly accurate hydrometer out there, it is much more accurate than any aquarium refractometer and never needs calibration. It is
Tropic Marin Precision hydrometer (accept no substitute)
It is accurate to 0.0005 count those zeros folks, it is about 10X more accuate than aquarium refractometers (whose scales doent even go that low).
they are about $36 and really easy to use.

haha, didn't you say that already?

rsuplido · 12/22/2009, 06:18 PM

PA has a Vertex ATC one for $35: http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Code=VX-MI-RF1

gosteen · 12/22/2009, 08:38 PM

Ebay here and it was shipped from china. Has a finger adjustable calibrator and I have found that it is the best thing since folding money was invented.

gosteen · 12/22/2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared J

wasn't there a link somewhere to making a proper calibration solution?

wouldn't that be distilled water? That is what mine calls for.

Maivortex · 12/22/2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gosteen

wouldn't that be distilled water? That is what mine calls for.

Most refractrometers have the ppt scale opposite of the specific gravity. I use this side for calibration. You can make calibration fluid of different salinity by using 1 gram of salt per one liter of water. This equals 1 ppt, so 10g of salt in one liter of water = 10 ppt and so on.

jthomps123 · 12/22/2009, 08:49 PM

Mine refractometer only calibrated properly with calibration solution. RO water calibrated .005 high.

jdthomas24 · 12/22/2009, 09:58 PM

im looking at them on ebay also, i have seen the mrange from 29.00 shipped all the way to 45 or so. some come with a temp tester and PH tester for abotu 45 oor so also. not sure if its worth it for the PH tester. Anyone on the digital PH tester? two links
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Salinity-Ref...3D10%26ps%3D63

jdthomas24 · 12/22/2009, 10:04 PM

check this one out

http://cgi.ebay.com/Salinity-Meter-w...item4cec2dc0ef

Johnny C · 12/22/2009, 10:38 PM

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that all refractometers are most certainly not created equal. While yes, any refracto is better than the junk hydrometers, some are definatly built better than others. I have two that I use on a regular basis. One has been dead on for two years and been through lots of abuse. The other (which was purchased three months ago) needs to be calibrated constantly and will shift readings if you don't handle it with great care. If you hold a $40 + $80 dollar refracto in your hands, I bet you'll feel the difference in weight alone. Just my humble opinion.

Jared J · 12/23/2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gosteen

wouldn't that be distilled water? That is what mine calls for.

No, distilled water will calibrate your refrac to 0, but it's really best to have a reference solution to check against. Someone had posted the amounts of distilled water and grams of salt to get 35ppm but I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Maivortex · 12/23/2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared J

No, distilled water will calibrate your refrac to 0, but it's really best to have a reference solution to check against. Someone had posted the amounts of distilled water and grams of salt to get 35ppm but I can't seem to find it anywhere.

35 g/L = 35 ppt

Jared J · 12/24/2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maivortex

35 g/L = 35 ppt

Yeah, that sounds about right but someone had a formula for a small batch. It was like 8oz water and ? grams of salt.........or something like that. made enough of an accurate solution to keep in a small jar.

12/19/2009, 05:09 PM	#1
stiltman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,070	refractometer I'm shopping for one now, since I've been using a $7 hydrometer for the last 2 years I'm thinking I can get by with one of the cheaper models out there. Is there much difference between the best and the cheapest? So far I just see that calibration may be a bit easier in the more expensive models. Is calibrating hard? I'm thinking about the lower end models from big al's or foster and smith's. Thanks. __________________ "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders Current Tank Info: 75 w/ 20 sump

12/19/2009, 07:30 PM	#5
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	ebay for half off specials. $20 all day long. Make sure to get one for aquariums that has the proper scale and some calibration fluid. I really am surprised LFS don't have them for $30. They would sell one to every customer and make good profit vs selling them for $100 and maybe selling 1 a year... __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

12/19/2009, 07:34 PM	#6
rkb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Western Hemisphere Posts: 578	I have one like the "Marine Depot" version and it is just fine. I do recommend getting a standard solution to calibrate with over using RO water. RO will get close but if your buying a refractometer "close" is not what you are interested in our you would still playing with a swing arm. __________________ Current tank: Eleventy billion gallon tank with a DSB of rainbow gravel and one tiny blue tang...

12/19/2009, 08:29 PM	#7
stiltman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,070	thanks all __________________ "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders Current Tank Info: 75 w/ 20 sump

12/21/2009, 01:10 AM	#11
TRichardson79 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 112	Got mine from Bulk Reef Supply for $40 and it came with calibration solution. __________________ This is the strangest life I have ever known.

12/19/2009, 05:21 PM	#2
Jared J Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 431	MarineDepot has one on sale right now for $39.99, reg $59.99. I think my wife saw my email and bought me one

12/19/2009, 05:31 PM	#3
rareform Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alta Loma Posts: 77	I got mine from ebay and it looks just like marinedepot for 39.99 but it was only like 20.00 I can't say if is as good but looks the same and works great for me.

12/19/2009, 07:21 PM	#4
discus510 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 803	i think its all the same. just depend on.... if ur a brand name junkie or not and if u want to pay more for the extra feature

12/19/2009, 10:03 PM	#9
bean59 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: michigan Posts: 74	got mine on ebay also. easy to use

12/19/2009, 10:09 PM	#10
checkx1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tx Posts: 60	$27.00 shipped ATC refractometer on ebay. And I have been calibrating with distilled water. Most likely will purchase the AMP salinity calibration fluid on my next bundle online purchase.

12/22/2009, 01:46 PM	#12
Jared J Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 431	wasn't there a link somewhere to making a proper calibration solution?

12/22/2009, 02:18 PM	#13
jbardwel Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 104	maybe consider a better hydrometer I can recommend Tropic Marin Precision hydrometers (accept no substitute) instead of a refractometer. I cant be bothered calibrating a refractometer. I am not alone. I bought my 260 gal reef set up from a guy that had the salt way off because he hadnt calibarated his refractometer. There is a highly accurate hydrometer out there, it is much more accurate than any aquarium refractometer and never needs calibration. It is Tropic Marin Precision hydrometer (accept no substitute) It is accurate to 0.0005 count those zeros folks, it is about 10X more accuate than aquarium refractometers (whose scales doent even go that low). they are about $36 and really easy to use. __________________ Jim

12/22/2009, 06:18 PM	#15
rsuplido Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 646	PA has a Vertex ATC one for $35: http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Code=VX-MI-RF1

12/22/2009, 08:38 PM	#16
gosteen Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 110	Ebay here and it was shipped from china. Has a finger adjustable calibrator and I have found that it is the best thing since folding money was invented.

12/22/2009, 08:49 PM	#19
jthomps123 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: East NC Posts: 249	Mine refractometer only calibrated properly with calibration solution. RO water calibrated .005 high.

12/22/2009, 09:58 PM	#20
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	im looking at them on ebay also, i have seen the mrange from 29.00 shipped all the way to 45 or so. some come with a temp tester and PH tester for abotu 45 oor so also. not sure if its worth it for the PH tester. Anyone on the digital PH tester? two links http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Salinity-Ref...3D10%26ps%3D63

12/22/2009, 10:04 PM	#21
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	check this one out http://cgi.ebay.com/Salinity-Meter-w...item4cec2dc0ef

12/22/2009, 10:38 PM	#22
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	I'm going to go against the grain here and say that all refractometers are most certainly not created equal. While yes, any refracto is better than the junk hydrometers, some are definatly built better than others. I have two that I use on a regular basis. One has been dead on for two years and been through lots of abuse. The other (which was purchased three months ago) needs to be calibrated constantly and will shift readings if you don't handle it with great care. If you hold a $40 + $80 dollar refracto in your hands, I bet you'll feel the difference in weight alone. Just my humble opinion. __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau