Refractometer and Calcium Tester

UH_OH_5_OH · 06/20/2006, 07:49 PM

Okay;

I want to pick up a Refractometer on eBay......! What brand of refractometer do you use.....and NO I don't want to use my plastic-salto-meter anymore ! ! ! And I want to get an instrument that measures the Calcium level !

Who makes a trustworthy Calcium monitor..???

getwood65 · 06/20/2006, 08:31 PM

only pinpoint makes cacium monitors that i know of and they are expensive!I use a sybon refractometer-works great

LBCBJ · 06/20/2006, 09:30 PM

I asked the same thing not too long ago. Went with the Premium Aquatics Blue for like $45. Works great, would buy it again.

UH_OH_5_OH · 06/21/2006, 08:21 AM

Okay......is there any brand of refractometer that I should stay away from.....?

UH_OH_5_OH · 06/21/2006, 10:21 AM

So what does everyone do to test their calcium other than take it to a LFS and let them do it.....?

Recife · 06/21/2006, 11:59 AM

Marine depot has their own brand refractometer on sale this week for $34.99 if I'm not mistaken. It's a great deal.

Recife · 06/21/2006, 12:00 PM

UH_OH_5_OH, Salifert calcium test kit is the best according to most people. Easy to use and very accurate. It's a bit more expensive than other brands, but it's a good investment.

skeeter_ca · 06/21/2006, 01:18 PM

I just recieved my refractor meter from Dr. F&S. It's great and very easy to read there lots of light. I just leave my canopy stand open and i have ooddles of light.

LBCBJ · 06/21/2006, 01:30 PM

Salifert Calcium test kit.

LegoZ81 · 06/21/2006, 01:48 PM

I got my refracto from PA ( www.premiumaquatics.com ) great unit and overnight ground shipping if you are in IL.
I got the cheapest one they had there.

crumbletop · 06/21/2006, 02:19 PM

Yes, the Marine Depot refractometer (what I use) is on sale right now. I'm not sure if this link works:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...2&fromsource=4

As far as Ca measurements, the Ca meter aparently stinks. Kits are supposedly the way to go. I've used both salifert and seachem and prefer seachem because it is a little easier. Either would be fine:

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ex.asp?CartId=

Jack

UH_OH_5_OH · 06/24/2006, 06:24 AM

Thanks for all the info folks ! ! !

06/20/2006, 07:49 PM	#1
UH_OH_5_OH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,184	Refractometer and Calcium Tester Okay; I want to pick up a Refractometer on eBay......! What brand of refractometer do you use.....and NO I don't want to use my plastic-salto-meter anymore ! ! ! And I want to get an instrument that measures the Calcium level ! Who makes a trustworthy Calcium monitor..???

06/20/2006, 08:31 PM	#2
getwood65 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orlando,Florida Posts: 383	only pinpoint makes cacium monitors that i know of and they are expensive!I use a sybon refractometer-works great __________________ Greg Current Tank Info: 120 sps

06/20/2006, 09:30 PM	#3
LBCBJ Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 1,332	I asked the same thing not too long ago. Went with the Premium Aquatics Blue for like $45. Works great, would buy it again. __________________ Brent

06/21/2006, 08:21 AM	#4
UH_OH_5_OH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,184	Okay......is there any brand of refractometer that I should stay away from.....? __________________ Life is hard; it's alot harder if you're stupid ! Current Tank Info: None !

06/21/2006, 10:21 AM	#5
UH_OH_5_OH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,184	So what does everyone do to test their calcium other than take it to a LFS and let them do it.....? __________________ Life is hard; it's alot harder if you're stupid ! Current Tank Info: None !

06/21/2006, 11:59 AM	#6
Recife Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bellevue - WA Posts: 282	Marine depot has their own brand refractometer on sale this week for $34.99 if I'm not mistaken. It's a great deal.

06/21/2006, 12:00 PM	#7
Recife Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bellevue - WA Posts: 282	UH_OH_5_OH, Salifert calcium test kit is the best according to most people. Easy to use and very accurate. It's a bit more expensive than other brands, but it's a good investment.

06/21/2006, 01:18 PM	#8
skeeter_ca Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,007	I just recieved my refractor meter from Dr. F&S. It's great and very easy to read there lots of light. I just leave my canopy stand open and i have ooddles of light. __________________ skeeter - It is easier to ask for forgiveness than premission. My motto to my wife. Current Tank Info: 75rr,6"dsb,refugium,auto top-off & semi-auto water changer, OM squirt. 4 MJs 1200, Started on 03/03/06

06/21/2006, 01:30 PM	#9
LBCBJ Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 1,332	Salifert Calcium test kit. __________________ Brent

06/21/2006, 01:48 PM	#10
LegoZ81 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 779	I got my refracto from PA ( www.premiumaquatics.com ) great unit and overnight ground shipping if you are in IL. I got the cheapest one they had there. Last edited by LegoZ81; 06/21/2006 at 02:24 PM.

06/21/2006, 02:19 PM	#11
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,718	Yes, the Marine Depot refractometer (what I use) is on sale right now. I'm not sure if this link works: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...2&fromsource=4 As far as Ca measurements, the Ca meter aparently stinks. Kits are supposedly the way to go. I've used both salifert and seachem and prefer seachem because it is a little easier. Either would be fine: http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ex.asp?CartId= Jack __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

06/24/2006, 06:24 AM	#12
UH_OH_5_OH Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,184	Thanks for all the info folks ! ! ! __________________ Life is hard; it's alot harder if you're stupid ! Current Tank Info: None !