Do Not Make This Stupid Mistake

[Mgoc]

Make sure you put the cap back on the calibration fluid really tight cause water will evaporate just as it does in our tanks leaving salt behind, that's the reason why calibration fluid slowly creeps up. I replace mine every few months. It's better to spend a few (probably unnecessary) dollars than risking not only the money invested in the tank but most importantly the lives of the creatures that we took from the ocean.

Just my opinion.

 

[kandymann]

I simply zero out my refractometer using RODI water. Is it that much better to use a calibration solution to calibrate your refractometer?

 

[racin2438]

S Rory to hear this, and glad it's coming back.....my fish guy told from day one, always check calibration every time it's used.

Plus I added the salinity probe for our APEX and that helps me give it a double check....

 

[racin2438]

Sorry this happened but glad it's coming back.

We check calibration every time, plus we added the Salinity probe to our APEX.....so it's doubled check also

 

[ghostgr]

I almost got a hydrometer when i first started 2 weeks ago but my lfs said do not as i will be right back to buy a refractometer and the hyrdometers are unrealisticalling inaccurate.

 

[ReefMadScientist]

I simply zero out my refractometer using RODI water. Is it that much better to use a calibration solution to calibrate your refractometer?

And if your salinity is lower not higher, the RODI method will not show.

I just take my refractometer with me to the LFS every week or so. I test it to their water and know if its good or not.

 

[Chameleon]

Hi,
Sorry to hear about this. I heard you were having some issues. Glad you finally figured it out. Let me know if you need anything. Also I can make you up some calibration fluid if you need. I make my own as I never trust the companies. I've crashed my tank the same way (hyper salinity), but I think it was due to a faulty calibration fluid from some company. Seriously though I just make it up like Randy Holmes Farley says and use the very precise balance and pipettes in my lab so let me know if you need some.
-Tyler

 

[artreef]

Never used a refractometer, only the floating hydrometer and a gallon of seawater (tightly capped )which I use as reference whenever I have a doubt on the salinity of my tank.. Im in the Philippines and collects my own zoas , so Im pretty much sure that the same water I kept in a container is always the same salinity as my zoanthids like when they were in the wild :bigsmile:

 

[ReeferRookie]

I feel as tho people are being too harsh on the hydrometer. Ive been using it 6 months now. And ive had healthy fish and coral

 

[ReeferEric]

Little things we forget to do, speaking of which I think I'm going to check my refractometer now.

 

[vlangel]

I feel as tho people are being too harsh on the hydrometer. Ive been using it 6 months now. And ive had healthy fish and coral

I agree. I've been using one for over 15 years and I serviced tanks for 5-6 years. I just rinse it out with fresh water when I am done so salt residue doesn't build up for the next reading. I never had an issue.

 

[ReeferRookie]

Holy cow 15 years ? Well then guess ill.keep using it

 

[zesty]

Floating hydrometers have been used in homebrewing for years. They are reliable, better than the little lever ones. I've tested 3 different types of the lever ones and they were all 3 different.

 

[3Twinklets]

Oh no! That is horrible.

 

[vlangel]

Floating hydrometers have been used in homebrewing for years. They are reliable, better than the little lever ones. I've tested 3 different types of the lever ones and they were all 3 different.

That is true but if you know how much its off by you can compensate. Mine registers a little low so I always just make my salt accordingly.

 

[ReeferRookie]

How inaccurate are they. After all this talk i did a sneak test i tested my water then brought a sample to my lfs. He used a refract. And stated i was at 1.024 although when he tested usimg a hydrometer. Just like i did he go a 1.023 the same reading i did. Is there any actual proof that a regulary cleaned hydrometer is any more inaccurate to a refract ?

 

[vlangel]

How inaccurate are they. After all this talk i did a sneak test i tested my water then brought a sample to my lfs. He used a refract. And stated i was at 1.024 although when he tested usimg a hydrometer. Just like i did he go a 1.023 the same reading i did. Is there any actual proof that a regulary cleaned hydrometer is any more inaccurate to a refract ?

That's about how much mine is off so I always make my water 1.023. I've been doing that for years and its worked for me.

 

[zesty]

I don't remember exactly, but it was more than a point off. However, now that I remember, none of them were new. So, I can't say how they were handled before I got them.
If you have one that's a point off, I would say awesome!
The main takeaway being, it's good to double check your testing equipment from time to time and keep them in good shape. I think we can all agree to that.

 

[Nano sapiens]

Even a swing-arm hydrometer can be very consistent IF one knows exactly how much it is off and it is kept clean. Mine is an antique at nearly 30 years old and I test it every year against the most accurate LFS devices (floating hydrometer or refractometer) that I can find. It hasn't deviated in 15+ years of comparison testing.

 

[tyler1503]

Even a swing-arm hydrometer can be very consistent IF one knows exactly how much it is off and it is kept clean. Mine is an antique at nearly 30 years old and I test it every year against the most accurate LFS devices (floating hydrometer or refractometer) that I can find. It hasn't deviated in 15+ years of comparison testing.

+1
The trick with the swing arm ones is to clean them before and after use. When I used them I would have a small piece of rigid airline to prod the arm to make sure no micro bubbles would skew the result. You'd be surprised by how small the bubbles can be to skew the result in big ways. Mine would read 1.022 but because it was "calibrated" with guaranteed 1.026 tank water I knew it was safe.
I now use the floating glass type because it doubles as a thermometer and I hold it in place with an airline suction cap :)