Refractometer quality

[Staghorn]

The last refractometer I had failed, mainly due to poor maintenance on my part , the adjustment screw rusted so I had to purchase a new one. I recently purchased an inexpensive refractometer from Amazon less than $20, I was surprised it was so cheap. I have noticed that I have to recalibrate it allot. Anyone else have experience with one of these inexpensive models versus a better one. Is there really a difference in my better off going with a better refractometer?

 

[exnisstech]

I've been using one of the ones from Amazon marked ATC since since 2016. I'm in the habbit of checking the calibration before each use and at times I have to adjust it but since I test it before each use it doesn't really bother me if I have to adjust it. I can't say I have to adjust it more often than a better one because I've only owned one other. I splurged on a vee gee a while back and it felt like it was full of sand when I tried to focus so I returned it.

 

[Red_Beard]

I have an amazon cheapo, i calibrate it with fresh mixed saltwater from my mix barrel that i verified with a tropic marin hydrometer. So far it has held calibration fairly well, but i usually am only using it to spot check my tank periodically and am regularly verifying calibration with a precision hydrometer.

 

[KrisReef]

We (Government job) had one that we used in the field that seemed bulletproof, but I don’t remember what brand.

I have been exposed to 3+ different imported discount brands and they all look the same as the bulletproof one but they require care to prevent rust and if they do work they require frequent calibration.

I would rather have a swingarm plastic hydrometer (cheap and reliable) or a floating glass hydrometer. They hold “calibration “ and so repeatability is more reliable than other options, ime.

My buddy at the lfs would have me double checking his tanks with my swing arm cause I could give him a reliable salinity readings (high , low, or “perfect”) and he didn’t have to calibrate his other tools.

 

[Ziggy17]

We (Government job) had one that we used in the field that seemed bulletproof, but I don’t remember what brand.

I have been exposed to 3+ different imported discount brands and they all look the same as the bulletproof one but they require care to prevent rust and if they do work they require frequent calibration.

I would rather have a swingarm plastic hydrometer (cheap and reliable) or a floating glass hydrometer. They hold “calibration “ and so repeatability is more reliable than other options, ime.

My buddy at the lfs would have me double checking his tanks with my swing arm cause I could give him a reliable salinity readings (high , low, or “perfect”) and he didn’t have to calibrate his other tools.

+1

My $8 swing arm always reads the same as my TM glass hydrometer. The ATC refractometer always needs fiddling….

 

[exnisstech]

We (Government job) had one that we used in the field that seemed bulletproof, but I don’t remember what brand.

I have been exposed to 3+ different imported discount brands and they all look the same as the bulletproof one but they require care to prevent rust and if they do work they require frequent calibration.

I would rather have a swingarm plastic hydrometer (cheap and reliable) or a floating glass hydrometer. They hold “calibration “ and so repeatability is more reliable than other options, ime.

My buddy at the lfs would have me double checking his tanks with my swing arm cause I could give him a reliable salinity readings (high , low, or “perfect”) and he didn’t have to calibrate his other tools.

+1

My $8 swing arm always reads the same as my TM glass hydrometer. The ATC refractometer always needs fiddling….

Is there a brand of swing arm that seems to be more accurate than another. I wouldn't mind adding one to my kit. Calibration isn't a big deal but it does get old having to check before each use. I have TM hydrometer but I know I'll break it if i use it on a regular basis.

 

[KrisReef]

Is there a brand of swing arm that seems to be more accurate than another. I wouldn't mind adding one to my kit. Calibration isn't a big deal but it does get old having to check before each use. I have TM hydrometer but I know I'll break it if i use it on a regular basis.

Generally, the cheap one’s available everywhere are hit or miss.

I like the old stock SeaTest swing arms that instant Ocean used to make. They show up on eBay now and again.

Red Sea has some, I don’t like them,

Do you have a flask for your glass hydrometer?

 

[jackson6745]

Vee gee is best one that I used. Calibrates with rodi water and is on point with ICP tests. No matter which one you choose, get a tropic Marin glass hydrometer with a 500ml graduated cylinder and use that as your main reference.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

No matter which one you choose, get a tropic Marin glass hydrometer with a 500ml graduated cylinder and use that as your main reference.

^^^This

 

[Ziggy17]

I use the Coralife deep six.

 

[exnisstech]

Do you have a flask for your glass hydrometer?

I do. I use it to verify the refractometer once in a while but it's faster to just check the calibration on the refractometer instead.

 

[Staghorn]

I use calibration solution to make sure the reflectometer is as accurate as possible, and I do understand that it has to be calibrated occasionally, I just was wondering what everyone’s experience is with these less expensive units. I think I may buy a better one again and compare.

 

[JayM]

I've had two of the $30 specials from Amazon. Both worked well and held calibration - until they didn't. Usually for 3-4 months. Then they started needing calibration almost every use. I reluctantly pried $120 out of my wallet and bought a VeeGee. It was spot on out of the box, and a little over a year later, it still is.

 

[CBonito]

Is there a brand of swing arm that seems to be more accurate than another. I wouldn't mind adding one to my kit. Calibration isn't a big deal but it does get old having to check before each use. I have TM hydrometer but I know I'll break it if i use it on a regular basis.

My IO swing arm was not accurate.

 

[KrisReef]

I've had two of the $30 specials from Amazon. Both worked well and held calibration - until they didn't. Usually for 3-4 months. Then they started needing calibration almost every use. I reluctantly pried $120 out of my wallet and bought a VeeGee. It was spot on out of the box, and a little over a year later, it still is.

I guess $120 will get a good one, and the less expensive ones you get to “calibrate “ every time you use it.

My IO swing arm was not accurate.

Mine traveled to remote reef locations and it always swang to the same location when I was measuring natural reef salinity. Was it accurate? I don’t know but it was consistent and repeatable which allows me to use it for keeping the system salt content where it needs to be.

I trust it 100xs more than any electric salinity test for off the shelf measurements without any calibration exercise before hand, and it’s consistently more reliable then conductivity measurements even when those meters are regularly calibrated.

I hate calibrating, I do like stability and consistency.

 

[JayM]

I guess $120 will get a good one, and the less expensive ones you get to “calibrate “ every time you use it.

Mine traveled to remote reef locations and it always swang to the same location when I was measuring natural reef salinity. Was it accurate? I don’t know but it was consistent and repeatable which allows me to use it for keeping the system salt content where it needs to be.

I trust it 100xs more than any electric salinity test for off the shelf measurements without any calibration exercise before hand, and it’s consistently more reliable then conductivity measurements even when those meters are regularly calibrated.

I hate calibrating, I do like stability and consistency.

As much as I hated to spend the dough then, I just looked it up again and it's now closer to $160 bucks.

 

[CBonito]

As much as I hated to spend the dough then, I just looked it up again and it's now closer to $160 bucks.

It's definitely worth the bucks knowing what your salinity is.
My Apex is telling me I'm at 33ppt which is BS.
My refractometer tells me 1.026 which is correct.

Point being, the old refractometer will continue to refract while apex probes will only get you PO'd and make you make bad decisions.

 

[LunkerPunker]

VEE GEE