Hydrometers

[Bronco765]

Which currently available hydrometer is the most accurate?

 

[lapin]

https://www.thelabstockroom.com/pro...48981581c29ac7f4584&utm_term=2329384105052831

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I expect that may not be the question you really want the answer to. The tropic Marin hydrometer is inexpensive and plenty accurate enough for reefing if made properly, although a bit tedious to use due to its large size. If you truly want the most accurate hydrometer, a NIST certified narrow range hydrometer is going to be the most accurate.

Other methods aside from hydrometers can also be very accurate. Chemical oceanographers generally do not use hydrometers.

 

[BryanM]

My reading, asking, etc makes me believe the tropic marin hydrometer is the gold standard in our hobby.

As Randy noted it is rather large, why I do not know, so getting an appropriate size vessel to test with is important. I wouldn't really recommend floating it in the tank, it already likes to bob up and down, so getting a reading, unless you turn all flow off, would be problematic.

 

[exnisstech]

I don't know which is the most accurate. I use a tropic marin along with one of These graduated cylinders.

 

[BryanM]

I suppose I could have been helpful as well. I use this graduated cylinder: graduated cylinder

 

[Bronco765]

I expect that may not be the question you really want the answer to. The tropic Marin hydrometer is inexpensive and plenty accurate enough for reefing if made properly, although a bit tedious to use due to its large size. If you truly want the most accurate hydrometer, a NIST certified narrow range hydrometer is going to be the most accurate.

Other methods aside from hydrometers can also be very accurate. Chemical oceanographers generally do not use hydrometers.

I was looking for something as accurate as possible to use for hyposalinity. The Tropic Marin only measures from 1.021 to 1.031.