buying refractometer?

timi hendrix · 07/09/2019, 07:29 PM

I wanted to know what a good one was . not really sure. What are your experiences . Thanks

ryeguyy84 · 07/09/2019, 08:29 PM

I still have my refractometer but I've been using this Hanna testee for the last few months and I love it. So much easier than the refractometer

https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/coll...tester-hi98319

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lionfish300 · 07/09/2019, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeguyy84

I still have my refractometer but I've been using this Hanna testee for the last few months and I love it. So much easier than the refractometer

https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/coll...tester-hi98319

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

do you need to calibrate or anything?

ryeguyy84 · 07/09/2019, 10:26 PM

It comes with 4 calibration packs in the box and it's suggested to do monthly from then on. I'm going to have to buy some soon, but a 5 pack is like $5.

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SuperAni · 07/10/2019, 12:58 AM

I was looking at that same tester a month ago, as I believe the future of reefing is an all digital one. If I recall what turned me away was I believe you had to clean the tip with either RO or distilled water after use. Only if I had known I was going to pick up an ro/di unit 2 weeks after looking into salinity testers I would of picked one up. I settled on an Marine Depot refractometer, price point you can go wrong as some refractometer I believe like the red sea will already run you like $60 dollars. Hope that helps!

ryeguyy84 · 07/10/2019, 05:48 AM

I just keep a cup of rodi by the mixing bin and swish it in after use and dry it with a towel. Takes 2 seconds.

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solitude127 · 07/10/2019, 09:54 AM

VeeGee for me. I've been using my Veegee Refractometer for over 7 years and works great. Large numbers so it's easy to see.

lpsouth1978 · 07/10/2019, 10:44 AM

I just use the standard one from BRS. I tried ordering one from Amazon, but it would not hold calibration for even a single test. My BRS Refractometer has been GREAT!

tkeracer619 · 07/10/2019, 10:54 AM

BRS is a good source.

Whatever you do stay away from red sea.

You should get it with refractometer calibration solution.

Vinny Kreyling · 07/10/2019, 12:21 PM

I have one from National Industrial Supply
www.nisupply.com
model RHS-10ATC solid for years

hkgar · 07/10/2019, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeguyy84

I still have my refractometer but I've been using this Hanna testee for the last few months and I love it. So much easier than the refractometer

https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/coll...tester-hi98319

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Just switched fro a traditional refractometer to the Hanna and I like it. Simple easy and quick.
My refractometer need calibration before every use and because the sump room is in the basement the ambient air temp is about 68 and the test should sit on the glass for at least 30 seconds to adjust temp.

Nereaga · 07/11/2019, 07:12 AM

I picked up a used Refractometer on FB Marketplace. It was $10. Came with calibration solution as well. Works well.

brody83 · 07/12/2019, 12:13 AM

I have a Milwaukee digital refractometer, and it is pretty accurate.

LQT · 07/12/2019, 09:53 AM

My eyesight is pretty poor so I like my Milwaukee digital with the big display for ease of reading the results.

Khiyasu · 07/12/2019, 05:02 PM

I have both the Hanna salinity and ice cap salinity tester. Hanna seems to be the more reliable brand but I actually like my ice cap more. It’s more convenient. I gravitate towards it but double check with the Hanna once in a while for redundancy. So far both have been providing me with the same readings

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hkgar · 07/13/2019, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khiyasu

Hanna seems to be the more reliable brand but double check with the Hanna once in a while for redundancy. So far both have been providing me with the same readings

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So why do you consider Hanna more reliable? "same readings"?

Khiyasu · 07/13/2019, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

So why do you consider Hanna more reliable? "same readings"?

From reviews between both. From a brand perspective Hanna is also one of the more if not most trusted testing brands out there.

Icecap has had many bad reviews. However from personal experience they both give me the same readings and Ice cap is easier to use. Anyone can get a bad/faulty refractometer so redundancy is important for me so although I gravitate to the ice cap,I double check against the Hanna once in a while and it’s nice to be able to calibrate it as well. And since are both so simple to use, it’s not a big chore to do so.

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07/09/2019, 07:29 PM	#1
timi hendrix Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 339	buying refractometer? I wanted to know what a good one was . not really sure. What are your experiences . Thanks __________________ 105 Gallon AGA 30 Gallon Sump Euro-Reef ES5-3 2- 175 W 10K MH 3- 110 vho Actinics quiet one pump

07/09/2019, 08:29 PM	#2
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	I still have my refractometer but I've been using this Hanna testee for the last few months and I love it. So much easier than the refractometer https://clearchoiceaquatics.com/coll...tester-hi98319 Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

07/09/2019, 10:26 PM	#4
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	It comes with 4 calibration packs in the box and it's suggested to do monthly from then on. I'm going to have to buy some soon, but a 5 pack is like $5. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

07/10/2019, 05:48 AM	#6
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	I just keep a cup of rodi by the mixing bin and swish it in after use and dry it with a towel. Takes 2 seconds. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

07/10/2019, 09:54 AM	#7
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	VeeGee for me. I've been using my Veegee Refractometer for over 7 years and works great. Large numbers so it's easy to see. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

07/10/2019, 12:58 AM	#5
SuperAni Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 27	I was looking at that same tester a month ago, as I believe the future of reefing is an all digital one. If I recall what turned me away was I believe you had to clean the tip with either RO or distilled water after use. Only if I had known I was going to pick up an ro/di unit 2 weeks after looking into salinity testers I would of picked one up. I settled on an Marine Depot refractometer, price point you can go wrong as some refractometer I believe like the red sea will already run you like $60 dollars. Hope that helps!

07/10/2019, 10:44 AM	#8
lpsouth1978 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 915	I just use the standard one from BRS. I tried ordering one from Amazon, but it would not hold calibration for even a single test. My BRS Refractometer has been GREAT! __________________ Current tank: 40B work in progress w/20L sump

07/10/2019, 10:54 AM	#9
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	BRS is a good source. Whatever you do stay away from red sea. You should get it with refractometer calibration solution. __________________ 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.

07/10/2019, 12:21 PM	#10
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	I have one from National Industrial Supply www.nisupply.com model RHS-10ATC solid for years __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

07/11/2019, 07:12 AM	#12
Nereaga Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oley, Pa 19547 Posts: 1,513	I picked up a used Refractometer on FB Marketplace. It was $10. Came with calibration solution as well. Works well.

07/12/2019, 12:13 AM	#13
brody83 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 28	I have a Milwaukee digital refractometer, and it is pretty accurate.

07/12/2019, 09:53 AM	#14
LQT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairfield, CT Posts: 1,516	My eyesight is pretty poor so I like my Milwaukee digital with the big display for ease of reading the results. __________________ - Leon (aka - Water Dog) Deep Blue 57 Edge ATI Acro Garden Build Thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25573384#post25573384 Current Tank Info: DeepBlue 57 Edge

07/12/2019, 05:02 PM	#15
Khiyasu Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 7	I have both the Hanna salinity and ice cap salinity tester. Hanna seems to be the more reliable brand but I actually like my ice cap more. It’s more convenient. I gravitate towards it but double check with the Hanna once in a while for redundancy. So far both have been providing me with the same readings Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk