Digital Refractometers: What's your experience?

Do you own a digital refractometer and if not would you ever consider using one in the future?

  • I own one

    Votes: 298 45.4%
  • I do not own one but would like to try one in the future

    Votes: 189 28.8%
  • I am not interested in them

    Votes: 116 17.7%
  • I am just learning about them

    Votes: 38 5.8%
  • Other (please explain)

    Votes: 16 2.4%

  • Total voters
    657

Operation Philo Beddoe

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 24, 2017
Messages
68
Reaction score
39
Location
Chandler
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
For today's QOTD I would like to hear about your experiences with Digital Refractometers! If you don't have experience I would still like to hear your thoughts and if you ever have plans to try one out! Let's talk about it today!



1. What's your experience with Digital Refractometers? Tell us what you like about them!

2. Do you own a digital refractometer and if not would you ever consider using one in the future?

Screenshot_2021-03-30 Aquarium.png
Have one, love it.
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

Reef Chemist
View Badges
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
66,539
Reaction score
62,827
Location
Arlington, Massachusetts, United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
In your opinion should someone who is using a non digital traditional refractometer ditch it and buy a conductivity meter? If its more accurate I will go that route. That's my first time hearing about them. Is it similar to a E.C meter for hydroponics?

I think we reefers are fortunate that reef aquaria are very forgiving as to the actual salinity. Most of the devices reefers use are adequate if properly calibrated or at least once, checked for accuracy. IMO, it's impossible to be easier or more accurate than a good quality conductivity probe, but that doesn't mean they are necessary.
 

Alex Cataldo

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 25, 2020
Messages
311
Reaction score
143
Location
Verona, Wisconsin
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
For me a normal refractometer works well. In my opinion a digital refractometer probably isn’t worth it unless you have a large investment. However, the ease of use and a digital readout is just amazing. Kinda like the hanna Alkalinity checker, a interesting investment.
 

sp1187

bird flu antidote
View Badges
Joined
Aug 4, 2017
Messages
13,345
Reaction score
69,067
Location
the duck blind
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Well that is patently false. They die over time. IF you have used it for more than a few months I doubt yours is giving you an accurate reading. Maybe consistent, but not accurate. They are intended to teach kids how to read salinity, nothing more.
doubt what you want.
I must have a special one then. every now and then I'll take a sample in to the lfs for testing just to see. apparently their refracto's aren't working right along with mine as they register the same.
except that one time they told me my sg was 1.029. asked them to check it against one of their tanks.
1.029 which they knew wasn't the case. retest with a new refracto. both at 1.025.
2.5 years old. like I said special.
 

Bepis

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 16, 2020
Messages
1,354
Reaction score
3,504
Location
LA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I don’t like the fact that you must clean with RODI every time after use
 

Hydrored

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 25, 2019
Messages
4,010
Reaction score
15,220
Location
The great state of Texas
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Last edited:

Bruce Burnett

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 27, 2015
Messages
1,295
Reaction score
979
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have the Milwaukee digital. Calibrate with new clean ro/di check with calibration fluid a couple times after I purchased. Went 3 years not needing calibration. I always cleans lens with ro water before and after using. Hand held refractometer is hard for me to read the fine lines
 

Theulli

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 7, 2021
Messages
468
Reaction score
457
Location
At home
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Maybe someone can answer this question for me because I've never looked into it. My hesitancy with the refractometer is that it doesn't look like I can use it a bunch of times in a row. I may check my salinity 20 times while I'm mixing my salt water - how does that work with the refractometer?

Either way, I am totally happy with two hydrometers, which I cross check against each other.
 

nathanmaurer

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 4, 2020
Messages
31
Reaction score
22
Location
Orlando
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I don't own one but have a family member that does. Very accurate and easy to use. I bit expensive compared to the manual refractometer that I own and use, which in my opinion, is just as accurate.
 

Wayne P.

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 21, 2018
Messages
483
Reaction score
1,152
Location
Chesapeake, VA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
1. What's your experience with Digital Refractometers? Tell us what you like about them!

I love them! My old eyes can't read a normal refractometer anymore. Easy to use, calibrate and the works. I've had mine for about 3 years now, haven't changed the batteries yet, still shows about 78% capacity.

2. Do you own a digital refractometer and if not would you ever consider using one in the future?


Milwaukee MA887
 

nathanmaurer

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 4, 2020
Messages
31
Reaction score
22
Location
Orlando
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Maybe someone can answer this question for me because I've never looked into it. My hesitancy with the refractometer is that it doesn't look like I can use it a bunch of times in a row. I may check my salinity 20 times while I'm mixing my salt water - how does that work with the refractometer?

Either way, I am totally happy with two hydrometers, which I cross check against each other.
If I follow what you're saying, I believe the digital can be used multiple times in a row, just rinse the sensor between each measurement. The manual one I use just needs a quick rinse and dry after each use, and take endless measurements. Per each batch of salt I mix I only need to measure about two times. Well worth having one.
 

Gup

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 11, 2021
Messages
394
Reaction score
271
Location
Wildwood
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I like using my lighted refractometer. 4 decades back, I use a hydrometer and I thought that was just guess work, but it's all I ever knew
 

Calm Blue Ocean

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
May 17, 2020
Messages
1,371
Reaction score
2,127
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I finally switched to a conductivity probe - Hanna HI98319. I was having a terrible time with my traditional refractometer. Maybe I had a bad one. Maybe I just didn't know how to use it right. But my readings drifted all over the place. Now I can check the salinity in my mixing bucket and both tanks in less time than it took to calibrate the refractometer. Best of all, the numbers I'm getting match my ICP test.
 

Kevin_Mac

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 17, 2020
Messages
29
Reaction score
15
Location
Markham Ontario Canada
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
As I get older my eye sight gets worse so digital is best for me , I can still read digital but having to read a line on scale is not very consistent with my eyes my apex works well
 

Butcher333

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 22, 2020
Messages
304
Reaction score
238
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
1. What's your experience with Digital Refractometers? Tell us what you like about them!
- No experience.

2. Do you own a digital refractometer and if not would you ever consider using one in the future?
- I don’t and I don’t intend to buy or use one in the future. I use a conductivity/salinity probe and a standard handheld refractometer. I’m fine with the accuracy I have. Even my old hydrometer works. They all agree as well.
 
Last edited:

Emerson

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Messages
236
Reaction score
175
Location
San Antonio
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
-No, I don't own a digital refractometer
-I don't have plans to use one (unless APEX Salinity Probe counts)
I use a hydrometer for mixing salt water to get me in the ball park, then check using a manual refractometer to confirm when mixing is complete and it's time for the actual water change. Once it goes in the tank I let the APEX salinity probe take the work, verifying with the refractometer every 3 or 4 months (or when I think of it). Seems like a lot of money to replace something I already have, works well, and is easy to use. I suppose if it broke and I was feeling the need to get some gear like the nerd I am, I might consider it.
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
90,823
Reaction score
200,057
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
13   0   0
1. What's your experience with Digital Refractometers? Tell us what you like about them!

I like the ease of instant reading in clear digits and it even confirms water temperature

2. Do you own a digital refractometer and if not would you ever consider using one in the future?


I have two being both the hanna and icecap version. I find the hanna more accurate but use the other to confirm the Hanna reading and see how it compares with my Apex readings.
 

Sablah

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
May 19, 2020
Messages
106
Reaction score
78
Location
Orlando
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
1. What's your experience with Digital Refractometers? Tell us what you like about them!
I've used swing arms, normal refractometers, conductivity probes, and I currently used a digital refractometer. I calibrate it once every 3 months and (except as noted below) I have never had it inconsistently read the same sample or give an incorrect reading. It reads 0ppt and 35ppt calibration fluid accurately without deviation. I have a backup refractometer that I occasionally use to confirm its accuracy when testing with a non-reference sample.

The resolution of 1ppt means that even if it reads 35ppt, I don't know if the sample is exactly 35, or on the borderline of 34 or 36. It's advertised as +/- 2ppt, but I've never seen it be more than .5 off. I test the same sample multiple times, and if it does jump between two numbers, then I know its close to borderline between the two (whichever result shows the most frequent indicates which "side" of the borderline its on. And yes, I know this isn't a very scientific method).

Maybe mine is a fluke, or maybe I'm doping everything wrong, but for me the digital refractometer is more reliable and more convenient to use.

2. Do you own a digital refractometer and if not would you ever consider using one in the future?
MIlwakee MA887
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 73 37.6%
  • Not currently, but I have had feather dusters in my tank in the past.

    Votes: 66 34.0%
  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 25 12.9%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 28 14.4%
  • Other.

    Votes: 2 1.0%
Back
Top