High Quality Refractometer Recommendations?

[Aspect]

Hello, I'm looking for a refractometer that will hold calibration for longer than a couple days, does anyone have any recommendations? Thank you

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

Hello, I'm looking for a refractometer that will hold calibration for longer than a couple days, does anyone have any recommendations? Thank you

I use an ATC I purchased from BRS. I check mine every couple of times i use it with calibration liquid. Vary rarely do I need to adjust calibration. I baby my refractometer, treat it like its fine china. If you can shake your refractometer after testing, retest and it changes. something may be wrong with it.

 

[Aspect]

I use an ATC I purchased from BRS. I check mine every couple of times i use it with calibration liquid. Vary rarely do I need to adjust calibration. I baby my refractometer, treat it like its fine china. If you can shake your refractometer after testing, retest and it changes. something may be wrong with it.

I've bought 3 from Amazon and they all need recalibrated within a few days. I'll check out the BRS one thanks

 

[diverjm]

Highly recommend the VEE GEE STX-3. Mine has stayed in calibration since new and the manufacturer suggests calibrating with distilled/RODI water which is nice to not have to make/buy calibration fluid.

 

[Pistondog]

Hello, I'm looking for a refractometer that will hold calibration for longer than a couple days, does anyone have any recommendations? Thank you

Vee gee stx3, had some cheaper, this seems to work better.
Use randys diy salinity cal solution

 

[exnisstech]

Vee gee is supposed to be a good one but they're pricey. I have a couple of ATC ones from the big A that work well enough but I've migrated to a TM hydrometer to test my fresh salt water which i make weekly. I then use that water to check the refractometer calibration so mine are calibrated weekly. I really don't test tank salinty often, mostly just fresh saltwater.

 

[NanoSteam]

Highly recommend the VEE GEE STX-3. Mine has stayed in calibration since new and the manufacturer suggests calibrating with distilled/RODI water which is nice to not have to make/buy calibration fluid.

Vee gee stx3, had some cheaper, this seems to work better.
Use randys diy salinity cal solution

Agreed with both of these posts. It's like holding an actual piece of lab gear vs the common ones.

 

[slythy]

only thing I have had work everytime reliably is the Tropic Marin Hydrometer. I just use it to calibrate my refractometer because ive found every cal solution sucks as well.

 

[hatfielj]

Second the Tropic Marin Hydrometer. Unlike all refractometers, it doesn't need to be calibrated. It is the only one I trust now after having several incidents over the years with refractometers.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I find conductivity meters that have a probe on a cord much more user friendly than either hydrometers or refractometers. :)

 

[Aspect]

I find conductivity meters that have a probe on a cord much more user friendly than either hydrometers or refractometers. :)

Like Apex conductivity probes? It isn't accurate and strays hourly

 

[slingfox]

VeeGee STX-3 is very accurate and lines up with my periodic ICP. I check calibration every six months and not once during the last two years have I had to make any adjustment.

I have tried the cheaper refractometer sold by one of the major online reeding retailers as wells three Hanna salinity checkers. None of those were reliable.

 

[Aspect]

VeeGee STX-3 is very accurate and lines up with my periodic ICP. I check calibration every six months and not once during the last two years have I had to make any adjustment.

I have tried the cheaper refractometer sold by one of the major online reeding retailers as wells three Hanna salinity checkers. None of those were reliable.

Yeah same here hanna and the typical refractometers don't hold calibration worth anything. I have the STX on the way that's what I needed.

 

[skey44]

Hello, I'm looking for a refractometer that will hold calibration for longer than a couple days, does anyone have any recommendations? Thank you

Vee gee has stellar reputation but I couldn’t stomach the price. I’ve had a few “sybon” refractometers purchased through premium aquatics and they hold calibration well and are a big step up from the cheapo ones you see around. They cost a little more, but not crazy more.
https://premiumaquatics.com/products/sybon-hd-refractometer-atc

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Like Apex conductivity probes? It isn't accurate and strays hourly

No. I am not a fan of controller salinity measurements, and do not recommend leaving conductivity probes in the water 24/7.

 

[jackson6745]

Veegee stx -3

 

[slingfox]

Vee gee has stellar reputation but I couldn’t stomach the price. I’ve had a few “sybon” refractometers purchased through premium aquatics and they hold calibration well and are a big step up from the cheapo ones you see around. They cost a little more, but not crazy more.
https://premiumaquatics.com/products/sybon-hd-refractometer-atc

I started the hobby with the cheapest refractometer on Premium Aquatics (was $34.99 at the time, now it sells for $39.99). It took me a while to figure out it was unreliable (hence I ending up purchasing 4 other instruments to measure salinity of which 2 were returned). Eventually I figured out the VeeGee Stx-3 was reliable by confirming with three subsequent ICPs. If I had to do it again I would just use the DIY calibration solution Randy Holmes-Farley developed.

I am glad to hear that you have good experience with the Sybon (looks like a better model than what I purchased originally). You should doublecheck it with the DIY calibration solution

 

[Aspect]

Ugh even this veegee already drifted up an entire ppt in only 24 hours, really surprising for a nearly $200 refractometer. This is beyond frustrating I need to find a new way to find salinity

 

[slingfox]

Ugh even this veegee already drifted up an entire ppt in only 24 hours, really surprising for a nearly $200 refractometer. This is beyond frustrating I need to find a new way to find salinity

Sounds odd. I haven’t had to make any adjustments to my VeeGee since I got it a little over two years ago. Just checked its calibration today and still no adjustment needed.

 

[Mebbid]

Ugh even this veegee already drifted up an entire ppt in only 24 hours, really surprising for a nearly $200 refractometer. This is beyond frustrating I need to find a new way to find salinity

Is there much temperature fluctuation in the house? A change in temperature will change the reading.