Debating which salinity tester I want
- Thread starter TruckerTami
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I have a Red Sea Refractometer, and after I calibrated it when I first got it I haven't had to recalibrate at all. I check it every time I use it but it has never been off.
Do make sure you are using a bright light when taking your readings and calibrating, I find that if the light is too dim then it gets a bit fuzzy.
Do make sure you are using a bright light when taking your readings and calibrating, I find that if the light is too dim then it gets a bit fuzzy.
Rmckoy
7500 Club Member
I just bought the Hannah salinity checker for the same reason .
I was tired of having inaccurate readings and having to recalibrate my refractometer every time I wanted to use it .
the flap that covers the glass Gets stiff and doesn’t close properly .
It was a cheap one from fish street . Com .
I was tired of having inaccurate readings and having to recalibrate my refractometer every time I wanted to use it .
the flap that covers the glass Gets stiff and doesn’t close properly .
It was a cheap one from fish street . Com .
vetteguy53081
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Hanna for sure !
Rmckoy
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There are some after reading reviews .
they didn’t well for tank water but wasn’t the Hanna
Moscar
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Hi, I have the Milwaukee. Super easy to use and I do not have to calibrate it every use (daily) ---I calibrate every month or so just because. Accurate, I have calibration check fluid and it's always been fine for me.Right now I’m using an ATC refractometer I got from an LFS, and it needs to be calibrated every time I test, and just seems inconsistent. Literally tested the same water, same temp and got 2 different readings. I’m debating on going digital, and trying to decide between a Hannah and a Milwaukee. I see conflicting info on both from calibration to being accurate testing freshly mixed water and not tank water. Ive read previous posts and I’m still not sure and I know they are older and there’s the possibility that things have changed. Tell me why you love and hate each. I was thinking about the tropic Marin hydrometer but they are currently sold out. Thanks
I keep a towel and a squeeze bottle of RO/DI water with the meter. Finished reading - suck off water with dropper - fill well with RO/DI and suck that out with the dropper. Wipe dry with towel. If you don't, you will have a higher reading than actual. Sometimes I think people get a reading, then retest and get a lower reading and think that the instrument is not accurate.
Hope this helps, enjoy!
Arthacker87
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I have the Hannah and I feel like it has a pretty high swing in salinity. Like I can add 5 gallons of ro water to tank (65g) and it won't change thr meter at all lol. But all in all when you find the sweet spot it works well.
Rick.45cal
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I’ve got a Milwaukee digital and a VeeGee refractometer and both have been spot on for 4 years now. The VeeGee is easy to read and has stayed calibrated the whole time (it’s checked everytime for calibration).
Jimmyneptune
Active Member
I have the Milwaukee. My favorite piece of equipment.
I use pipettes to place the water on the viewer. Since I reuse the pipette I read it twice to clear out any salt that may affect the first reading. I also cut up some paper towels 2-3 inches long and 1-1.5 inches wide to clean the screen. I keep them all in 1 plastic container with a lid.
Accurate, easy, fast.
I use pipettes to place the water on the viewer. Since I reuse the pipette I read it twice to clear out any salt that may affect the first reading. I also cut up some paper towels 2-3 inches long and 1-1.5 inches wide to clean the screen. I keep them all in 1 plastic container with a lid.
Accurate, easy, fast.
homer1475
Figuring out the hobby one coral at a time.
While I prefer my Hanna, I used a Milwaukee for years, and still spot check both with a calibrated refractometer.
One trick with the Milwaukee is to use some windex once in a while on the reservoir to clean any salt creep off the window(Milwaukee's CS suggestion when calling them one time with an issue).
I find the Hanna, Milwaukee, and handheld refractometer to all be pretty consistent(all 3 within .002 of each other).
One trick with the Milwaukee is to use some windex once in a while on the reservoir to clean any salt creep off the window(Milwaukee's CS suggestion when calling them one time with an issue).
I find the Hanna, Milwaukee, and handheld refractometer to all be pretty consistent(all 3 within .002 of each other).
Adamantium
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I think you’ll be happy with it. It doesn’t get any easier. I wish testing everything in the tank was so simple.
