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Measuring SG - Refractometer vs Hanna (1 Viewer)

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soymilk

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I've been using a Hanna Salinity checker for the past 2 weeks and use the Hanna calibration fluid to calibrate it. After calibration my tank measures 1.024 SG. Pulling out my old refractometer. I measure something 1.026SG. So I order Fritz refractometer calibration fluid. After calibrating the refractometer, the tank reads 1.026 on the dot. Hanna measures consistently low.

I know its not a big difference, and consistency is a bigger factor than the SG. But which one do you guys think I should calibrate to? What do you guys use?
 

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I like the Hanna but a properly calibrated refractometer will always beat any of the digital probes imo. Though he best results will come from something like this that needs no calibration High Precision Hydrometer - Tropic Marin
When using a refractometer do you need to calibrate the readings? I know when I setup my BeerSmith software for brewing beer in order to covert from Brix to SG you have to take a Brix measurement and SG from the same sample to calibrate the software. Is it the same with saltwater?
 

Seaworthy Aquatics

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When using a refractometer do you need to calibrate the readings? I know when I setup my BeerSmith software for brewing beer in order to covert from Brix to SG you have to take a Brix measurement and SG from the same sample to calibrate the software. Is it the same with saltwater?
Most refractometers and digital probes are calibrated with a solution set to a certain salinity, usually 35 ppt. Some can be done with distilled water but very few brands are built like this. This just needs to be done every now and then, I aim for every 4-6 weeks. After that it's just take a sample and they give pretty straight forward readings and won't require constant calibrations.
 

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Most refractometers and digital probes are calibrated with a solution set to a certain salinity, usually 35 ppt. Some can be done with distilled water but very few brands are built like this. This just needs to be done every now and then, I aim for every 4-6 weeks. After that it's just take a sample and they give pretty straight forward readings and won't require constant calibrations.
Interesting. I am new to salinity refractometers. The ones I have for brewing are designed to measure sucrose and since we are measuring maltose you have to apply a correction factor. Personally I like the simplicity of a hydrometer. They’re simple and accurate. If you go with a hydrometer get two of them. If you have one it will accidentally roll off your counter. If you have two you will have them the rest of your life.
 
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soymilk

soymilk

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are you talking about the floating type in a cylinder or the one with the little floating arrow arm?

I use the hanna most the time now just because the ease of use.
 

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I have a Hanna salinity checker. It is absolutely useless. Buy a high quality refractometer. (Not the $20 plastic ones.) Or buy a $20 glass hydrometer. They are always correct and never need to be calibrated.
 

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I’m talking about the floating type in the graduated cylinder. Honestly I had the one that has a floating arrow (looks like a coolant tester) and I would question the accuracy of such a device. They are cheap though so that’s why I had one. Lol!
 
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