Salinity Checker Opinions

BAUCE

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not great - hydrometer $10
good - refractometer $20-$50
best - digital refractometer $120

go with at least a cheap refractometer imo. I just bought a digital because my refractometer was off even with calibration fluid (not the norm)
 

K7BMG

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Well I love Hanna products.
The hand held salinity units are off.
I have had two of them both off by .02 low.
Other members and threads here on R2R will back this up.
So if you want 1.026 then your Hanna will read 1.024.

I have a Milwaukee, Brs ATC Refractomiter, some cheep knock off conductivity style, and the two Hannas.
Three of my units with calibration fluid read the same.
Hanna alwas .02 low.


Its fine as long as you know this.
My Tank salinity was at 1.028 all the
 

BAUCE

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Well I love Hanna products.
The hand held salinity units are off.
I have had two of them both off by .02 low.
Other members and threads here on R2R will back this up.
So if you want 1.026 then your Hanna will read 1.024.

I have a Milwaukee, Brs ATC Refractomiter, some cheep knock off conductivity style, and the two Hannas.
Three of my units with calibration fluid read the same.
Hanna alwas .02 low.


Its fine as long as you know this.
My Tank salinity was at 1.028 all the
after having this issue with my refractometer I read a lot of reviews on my other options and found more people having issues with the hanna salinity meters than the Milwaukee digital. Some people on amazon and here with inconsistent readings with the hanna. $120 is a tough pill to swallow but its better than wondering why my acros arent looking right.
 
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andrewey

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You might want to check reviews on the hanna salinity probes as many have reported similar findings to K7BMG. I would go with a refractometer and ensure you either buy or make your own calibration solution and check regularl (not just use RO water to zero).
 

highest_tides

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Well I love Hanna products.
The hand held salinity units are off.
I have had two of them both off by .02 low.
Other members and threads here on R2R will back this up.
So if you want 1.026 then your Hanna will read 1.024.

I have a Milwaukee, Brs ATC Refractomiter, some cheep knock off conductivity style, and the two Hannas.
Three of my units with calibration fluid read the same.
Hanna alwas .02 low.


Its fine as long as you know this.
My Tank salinity was at 1.028 all the
I'm using a Hanna Salinity checker and didn't know this thought was out there. It reads the same as my traditional refractometer though. Maybe age makes it off? Not cleaning properly in RO/DI? I've only calibrated once and have only had it for a week now, but check both back and forth and now I'm worried because it reads 1.026.
 

andrewey

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I'm not sure what the problem is, but I've seen a ton of threads where people buy new ones only to discover they're off. I have no idea how common it is (if just the people with issues write in or it's a larger QC issue) but after seeing enough of those threads, it put a bad taste in my mouth. However, if yours is working, I wouldn't change a thing, only check it from time to time against a calibrated refractometer.
 
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TripleTruble

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Was thinking of possibly this one from reading up

292CD9AB-5727-4FCF-B147-63005055CC2A.png
 

K7BMG

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I did not know this as well, ran my tank at 1.026 and found out only after I was having some issues.
Sorry I missed typed in my earlier posts
My Hannas read .002 low. NOT .02.
 

K7BMG

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Yes my Milwaukee like the one posted by the OP.
Is spot on.
 

reefiniteasy

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I have a VeeGee Refractometer and love it. I’ve had to adjust and calibrate it once. Check out VeeGee Scientific, great stuff. Just bought the Hanna pen and it’s spectacular. Nothing negative to say!
 
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TripleTruble

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Well I feel it’s the best way to go as I plan on doing a few more tanks. And I have the Milwaukee ph probe and have had no issues with it either
 

mike550

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Just to be clear, I’m using the Hanna HI98319 salinity checker.

I’ve heard about the discrepancy in readings and I’ve also heard otherwise. My personal experience has been that my readings are consistent with a refractometer. I calibrate my checker every 30 days with the Hanna calibration packets, and also rinse out with RODI after each use. I’ve compared my readings with someone else using their own refractomer on the same water at the same time and we’ve always been in agreement.
 

fcmatt

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I stopped buying electronics unnecessarily like I did in my earlier reefing days. Gadgets galore back then. All sitting in boxes in the basement.

Totally unnecessary and costs $$$

One good refractometer and 2 to 3 calibration fluids is all you need based on your own personal level of paranoia.

Replace fluids every year or so. Whenever you order something. They are cheap.
 

BAUCE

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I stopped buying electronics unnecessarily like I did in my earlier reefing days. Gadgets galore back then. All sitting in boxes in the basement.

Totally unnecessary and costs $$$

One good refractometer and 2 to 3 calibration fluids is all you need based on your own personal level of paranoia.

Replace fluids every year or so. Whenever you order something. They are cheap.
I was in the same boat till I recently ran an ICP test and found out my salinity was at 1.030 when I was testing it at 1.026 with a calibrated refractometer. I plan on using my digital refractometer on a normal basis while testing it against a non digital every once in a while. It's nice not having to guess exactly where that little blue line is at too. I lived just fine with a non digital for 15+ years in the hobby though.
 

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