Most accurate way to test salinity

[Shawnfish1122]

What is best way ? Digital or old school?!

 

[rishma]

there are multiple methods that can be very accurate provided they are calibrated with an accurate solution (which is commonly a problem).

I’d argue a high end conductivity meter is the gold standard.

Tropic Marin, floating glass hydrometer once verified with a calibration solution, is also an excellent choice.

 

[KrisReef]

Maori navigators traveled thousands of miles across the open ocean. They kept track of their position by tasting the water.

A swingarm hydrometer can be used to test salinity and once you establish the proper position of the hydrometer to proper seawater, using it repeatedly is as reliable for home aquarium navigation as any other method that folks may tout as "The best."

It really does depend on how you use your instrument and what suits your taste.

 

[cet98]

While there are options, for me my Milwaukee refractometer (calibrated properly with salinity solution) has been my tried and true method for years.
The main concern imo is consistency.
I keep my salinity at 1.026 on all of my aquariums and even if my measurement equipment (refractometer) might be slightly off compared to more accurate methods, consistency is most crucial ime.

Good luck

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Reef Aquarium Salinity: DIY Calibration Standards

Reef Aquarium Salinity: DIY Calibration Standards By Randy Holmes-Farley One of the most important issues facing marine aquarists is providing a suitable environment for their aquaria's inhabitants. Among the important properties for a marine...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What is best way ? Digital or old school?!

Well, I think you are asking the wrong question. Not which way is most accurate (clearly, overall that is conductivity), but rather what method(s) are accurate enough for reefkeeping.

The answer to that second question is that many devices are plenty accurate enough if properly calibrated or checked. If improperly calibrated or never checked, all devices can also be inaccurate.

 

[BubbleAlgaeFarmer]

I used to despise refractometers until i purchased a high quality one. It seemingly holds calibration very well and is rather easy to use. Like others have said, consistency is key.

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

I like my Tropic Marin Hydrometer

 

[hoffmeyerz]

I like my Tropic Marin Hydrometer

I'm in with the TM Hydrometer as well, no muss, no fuss! Drop it in the water and read it, as long as temp is near the 77* it's calibrated for it's all good :)

 

[BryanM]

Tropic Marin hydrometer.