Hanna salinity checker vs tropic Marin hydrometer?

[merkmerk73]

Who’s lying?

 

[Peace River]

Interesting! Do you have access to a salinity calibration solution? Have you tried it at different salinities? Without any further data I would lean toward the hydrometer, but I also keep a salinity, conductivity, and pH solutions on hand for confirmation of my probes and test equipment.

 

[hoffmeyerz]

Honestly I'd have to go with the hydrometer. Other than temp correction (which is minimal) there's nothing to be "off". I use it as the standard to calibrate my refractometer and confirm tank every now and then.

 

[merkmerk73]

I do have a bunch of the Hanna checker solution, which I calibrate every 2-4 weeks on.

My LFS found that my salinity was a bit high - which may have been the cause of some of my mysteriously unhappy corals...

So I got the tropic marin hydrometer

 

[jimk60]

My hanna checker would never stay calibrated properly even using the calibration fluid. Wasted months with angry corals till I bought the tropic Marin and never looked back

 

[Reef.]

The hydrometer, it reads high, your LFS confirmed your water is high…your water is high.

 

[merkmerk73]

The hydrometer, it reads high, your LFS confirmed your water is high…your water is high.

Plot twist

LFS confirmed it with their own Hanna checker

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Who’s lying?

Did you calculate temperature correction?

 

[Velcro]

The hydrometer is the most accurate thing there is. Also you have to temp calibrate the reading and need an accurate thermometer.

 

[penguinexdeus]

my hanna always reads low... hydrometer or milwaukee digital always work great for me

 

[merkmerk73]

Did you calculate temperature correction?

My tank runs between 77 and 78 so I didn’t bother since it’s right at the target

Do you have different advice ?

 

[KStatefan]

My Hanna always reads lower then my hydrometer

Average Hanna this year SG 1.0239
Average Tropic Marin this year SG 1.0258

 

[Nano_Man]

Hydrometer will do the job just fine

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

My tank runs between 77 and 78 so I didn’t bother since it’s right at the target

Do you have different advice ?

Nope, just checking.

 

[Northern Flicker]

Just out of curiousity - if you stick your Hanna into a calibration packet, does it read correctly?

 

[Salty_Northerner]

Do yourself a favor and ditch the Hanna calibration fluid and use the Neptune fluid. I get exactly the same readings with the Hanna salinity checker against the TM hydrometer when calibrating it with the Neptune. The Hanna fluid is always off.

 

[nothing_fancy]

The Hanna Checker is good to have. It should come with the tropic Marin hydrometer though...you need both IMO. The hydrometer for that accurate reading, and the hanna checker for quick checks to make sure your system water and mixed SW are a match

 

[Propane]

My Hanna pen always runs low FWIW

 

[zoomonster]

I have both and much prefer the Hanna for convenience. However, the Hanna needs to be kept clean (RO rinse) and have probably monthly calibration. The hydrometer is just a pain where I basically have to shut down all flow and then struggle to get a good measurement. It's really meant to be used with a tall cylinder container.

 

[xabo]

From Hanna website:

Salinity Accuracy

±1 ppt for 0.0 to 40.0 ppt; ±2 ppt for readings over 40.0 ppt; ±1 PSU for 0.0 to 40.0 PSU ; ±2 PSU for readings over 40.0 PSU; ±0.001 S.G.