Which refractometer? Amazon

[Slammed01]

Looking to replace my hydrometer and been researching seawater/salinity refracs .

They all look the same with ATC and hardcases. I did notice a few have a different viewer, is this correct and which is easier to read?

 

[Crabs McJones]

They're both probably going to be about a horse a piece, the one on the left looks harder to read only because they didn't super zoom in on it like the picture on the right. Do either of them come with the calibration fluid?

 

[Jeff Hall]

Go with Milwaulke digital refractometer. A little more expensive but worth every penny.

 

[Slammed01]

They're both probably going to be about a horse a piece, the one on the left looks harder to read only because they didn't super zoom in on it like the picture on the right. Do either of them come with the calibration fluid?

Horse? No fluid but heard you can use rodi.

 

[Slammed01]

Go with Milwaulke digital refractometer. A little more expensive but worth every penny.

I'd love to but not trying to spend $100 at moment

 

[Crabs McJones]

Horse? No fluid but heard you can use rodi.

"horse a piece" is a saying, means they're both about the same. While you can use RO/DI to calibrate it, it's not as accurate as using the calibration fluid.

 

[Slammed01]

"horse a piece" is a saying, means they're both about the same. While you can use RO/DI to calibrate it, it's not as accurate as using the calibration fluid.

Got it! Viewers seem a little different so wasn't sure, thanks!

 

[madweazl]

I imagine all the cheap ATC variants are actually the same refractometer. I've been using one of the $20 units for about a year and a half without issue now. I grabbed this calibration fluid and it has worked great. Using the calculator with Triton results, the two have been extremely close.

 

[AdamNC]

For a reef tank I’d trust a BRS one before those.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refractometer-for-reading-salinity-with-calibration-fluid.html

 

[Crabs McJones]

For a reef tank I’d trust a BRS one before those.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refractometer-for-reading-salinity-with-calibration-fluid.html

+1 this is what I use

 

[madweazl]

For a reef tank I’d trust a BRS one before those.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refractometer-for-reading-salinity-with-calibration-fluid.html

Probably made by the same place as well.

 

[reefwiser]

I use this one I have used cheap ones but love this one.
https://www.amazon.com/Vee-Gee-Scie...16060279&sr=8-1&keywords=veegee+refractometer

I also have the Milwaukee unit as well as Tropic Marin Hydrometer.
I have found its always good to have several testing pieces of equipment and being in the hobby for 54 years now I am done with cheap junk that can not take being dropped or breaks easily

 

[AdamNC]

Probably made by the same place as well.

Possibly. From what I understand is they are used mainly to measure brine rather than sea water. I use the Red Sea one but was figuring he’s looking for a lower priced one.

 

[five.five-six]

Go with Milwaulke digital refractometer. A little more expensive but worth every penny.

Yep, worth every penny

 

[Xavierwally]

For a reef tank I’d trust a BRS one before those.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refractometer-for-reading-salinity-with-calibration-fluid.html

+1 I use this one, I used to use the one from Red Sea.

 

[Slammed01]

I'm just going to wait and get the one from BRS, screw it lol

 

[Pivitol]

I tried a cheap one from Amazon, I could not read the scale (would not focus) sent it back and got a Milwaukee. Love it, no guess work.

 

[madweazl]

I'm not sure it matters much if you're using a proper calibration fluid.