How in the world can you see your refractometer..

ReefLab · Mar 30, 2020

How do people see a refractometer down to the thousandth place? I can only see 1.02. Is it just a cheap refractometer or am I doing something wrong? The hash marks are way too close together to discern anything more precise than +/-.003. I do use a standard to calibrate to 35ppm.

Victor_C3 · Mar 30, 2020

I use a digital salinity tester like the one pictured below. It spits out number in the thousandths.

Wee Mad Arthur · Mar 30, 2020

Make sure it’s in focus which is usually done by rotating the eyepiece and stand near a window. I use the digital Hanna salinity tester now, much much simpler!

ReefLab · Mar 30, 2020

I figure digital is the only way to really know. I have mine in focus but its still so hard to see between the hash marks

OrangeCountyReefer · Mar 30, 2020

Wee Mad Arthur said:
Make sure it’s in focus which is usually done by rotating the eyepiece and stand near a window. I use the digital Hanna salinity tester now, much much simpler!

this and point it towards a bright light