Which refractometer?

[saltcats]

Hi all;

I've had 2 refractometers since setting up my tank in 2021. The first I'll admit was one of the cheapest ones I could find on amazon; when it broke (the blue line inside the display became crooked rather than straight across) I bought a slightly more expensive new one from an aquarium supplier this time (although the box and contents look near identical).

I've been super careful with the new one since I read that putting it down too hard could've caused that issue in the first one, although I doubt I was rough with it in the first place. But this second one has now developed exactly the same issue and I'm frustrated. I've had it barely 6 months at this point.

Is there a specific model/brand/supplier that you would recommend to avoid this? I'm guessing it's just poor build quality on the refractometers themselves (or I'm having terrible luck). I know the milwaukee is highly recommended but also $140 is fairly pricy compared to what I've spent on both of these... On the other hand buy once cry once?
My LFS carries one for about $60 but the box also looks the same as what I've got...

 

[Bigfishy1]

I love the milwaukee and would not trade for anything. I have it for over five years and every time i check the calibration it is dead on. It takes the guesswork out of it.

 

[JTP424]

Splurge for the Hanna one @ $90. It's an investment but worth it...

 

[saltcats]

Splurge for the Hanna one @ $90. It's an investment but worth it...

I feel like I've heard bad things about the Hanna salinity checker? But it works well for you?

 

[SpyC]

The tropic marin hygrometer is considered the best of the best for testing salinity, but you need to test outside of your tank in a 500ml graduatedcylinder. I also use a refractometer from amazon. Was cheap and does the job. I check calibration from time to time.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/high...=10466&indexName=brs_prod_m2_default_products

 

[JTP424]

Yup. Haven't had any issues. Check it against an Amazon special (refractometer) too. BTW I would still use the ones with the slant, get some 35PPT solution and see where the line falls, most like center of the crooked line is still accurate.

 

[BristleWormHater]

I just use the BRS one, and yes they all look the same lol. I calibrate it before every use, works well enough for me.

 

[skey44]

I have a sybon from premium aquatics. I’ve had them before too. Very reliable. Only issues I get on these is rust / broken off cover plate over time. I’d like to have a Milwaukee digital too as these seem great. Then there’s always the tropic Marin hydrometer.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I also vote for the hanna tester, its been super accurate and reliable for me.

 

[Pistondog]

Vee Gee Scientific STX-3 Handheld Salinity Refractometer with ATC, Industrial-Grade, 0-100% Salinity Range, 1.000-1.070 Specific Gravity Range, 5-Year Warranty https://a.co/d/15uuDhd

Getting pricey, but quality tester.

 

[Aaron75]

Tropic Marin Hydrometer. No calibration, just a correction for temperature. No human or tester error, extremely accurate. Literally the only downside is how fragile it can be. And maybe the size I guess.

 

[skey44]

Vee Gee Scientific STX-3 Handheld Salinity Refractometer with ATC, Industrial-Grade, 0-100% Salinity Range, 1.000-1.070 Specific Gravity Range, 5-Year Warranty https://a.co/d/15uuDhd

Getting pricey, but quality tester.

These have gotten too expensive to be relevant for hobbyists imo… hence my Sybon recommendation.

 

[Pistondog]

These have gotten too expensive to be relevant for hobbyists imo… hence my Sybon recommendation.

Got my vee gee a few years ago used on amazon for $65. Have not used sybon.

 

[skey44]

Got my vee gee a few years ago used on amazon for $65. Have not used sybon.

I admittedly haven’t used vee gee. I’ve heard great things, but they were just out of my price range when I was buying. $65 seems like a great deal!

 

[Ryan Souza]

Veegee off Amazon for sure

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I just use a standard refractor meter that I calibrate with collaboration solutions every now and then. I’m going to eventually upgrade to the brs high precision thermometer soon.

 

[Borat]

The tropic marin hygrometer is considered the best of the best for testing salinity, but you need to test outside of your tank in a 500ml graduatedcylinder. I also use a refractometer from amazon. Was cheap and does the job. I check calibration from time to time.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/high...=10466&indexName=brs_prod_m2_default_products

Why do you need to test it outside of your tank?

 

[chema]

I have used the Milwaukee refractometer for more almost 20 years. This summer I got the Vee Gee Scientific STX-3 and it is a very precise instrument and easier to see the scale than the Miwaukee.
The hand held Hanna tester is also good but you need to calibrate it very often (ideally each time you want to use it).

 

[SpyC]

Why do you need to test it outside of your tank?

It is fragile and has mercury in it. You don't want it breaking in the tank. I assume the water flowing in your tank could also possibly cause a slightly inaccurate reading because the device is moving around

 

[Borat]

It is fragile and has mercury in it. You don't want it breaking in the tank. I assume the water flowing in your tank could also possibly cause a slightly inaccurate reading because the device is moving around

Mercury? Not in mine.. Those bits at the bottom are made of lead (at worst) but also possibly simple iron beads.
I turn off all pumps - put the hydrometer in the tank for 10 seconds, observe where the readings are and job done!