Frustrating!! Purchased a cheap Amazon refractometer and Fritzs calibration solution, calibrated the refractometer and have been going off of that. I happen to pull out the old hydrometer and check using it and it was saying the SG was 1.023 much lower than the refractometer.
Now that I didn't trust what I was seeing I decided to purchase a Hanna salinity tester and the ole hydrometer was right. My "calibrated" refractometer was saying the SG was 1.027 and the Hanna salinity checker confirms the hydrometer is correct and is reading SG of 1.023.
Moral of the story, with one of the most important parameters in the tank, don't trust a cheap refractometer, go with old proven equipment or new technology with proven accuracy! Won't make that mistake again! Now to slowly raise the salinity!
Now that I didn't trust what I was seeing I decided to purchase a Hanna salinity tester and the ole hydrometer was right. My "calibrated" refractometer was saying the SG was 1.027 and the Hanna salinity checker confirms the hydrometer is correct and is reading SG of 1.023.
Moral of the story, with one of the most important parameters in the tank, don't trust a cheap refractometer, go with old proven equipment or new technology with proven accuracy! Won't make that mistake again! Now to slowly raise the salinity!