do I need a refractometer? I have someone who is selling a brand new one.... not sure..do I need it..... here is a link the the type that is for sale.... http://www.northcoastmarines.com/refract.htm
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Refractometer....Do I need One? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter cope
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goby1kanobi
Guest
That is really similar to the one I have. I bought mine used after 2 years, using the mechanical swing arm SG measure. I love it!
I'll have to let someone else chime in on brands> Not too familiar with everything available.
I'll have to let someone else chime in on brands> Not too familiar with everything available.
xmjxflipx
Supporting Member
mine is just a instant ocean hydrometer, its cheap and reliable.......bought it from ebay for like 4.95
I go a refractormeter today.. I took some water to Kevin.. he checked it and it showed 1.022 my hydrometer showed 1.017 this morn.. last night it showed 1.020 I got the refractometer and checked it.. and it shows 1.023 goes to show you how much the 12.00 hydrometer was off....
goby1kanobi
Guest
Absolutely, this becomes very important if you have a problem with Ick and have to get a quarantine tank going. The treatment is many times hypo salinity but it has to be done gradually. In my experience some of the LFS keep their fish a little hypo to keep the Ick in check. So when I bring a fish home to acclimate I check the LFS SG vs mine that is 1.023-1.025. I've seen it as low as 1.020 so I do a more careful acclimation. But, that is just me.
Plus, if you get everything from Kevin it will be good.
Plus, if you get everything from Kevin it will be good.
xmjxflipx
Supporting Member
do you tap it so the air bubbles dont get trapped?? sometimes if you just dump water straight in the hydrometer it will give you a false inaccurate reading
fishcraze
Lifetime Member
yeah hydrometer are very unreliable. At one time, I had 3 of them and they will give all significant diff readings. Or even with the same one, the repeatibility of the mearsurement is poor. So I trashed them all and went w/ a refractometer.cope said:
cstewart79
Supporting Member
Its really the best $60 investment you will put into your tank. The cheap 5-10 dollar hydrometers tend to get salt build up or simply just start to get stuck. The standard blue cheap refractometer will give you a good 3-5 years of perfect salinity readings.
steved350
Guest
I bought a refractometer the other day from James at Global Leader and love the thing. There is no guessing. Pinpoint accuracy and you dont have to get the stupid bubbles off the swing arm any more.
