Hydrometers

[AaronOB82]

What kind of Hydrometers does everyone use? I just recently broke my tank down and built it up adding some new features to it such as more live rock, and 50 pounds of live sand. In the process I bought a Fluval Sea hydrometer that actually hangs in the tank. Now, for the past year I've been using a Coralife deep 6 hydrometer. After buying the Fluval, I allowed it to sit in my tank water for 24 hours to calibrate. I've got 2 completely different readings. My Coralife has a reading on 1.026ppm, and the Fluval which has been in my tank for a few days now, has a reading of 1.019. i do not know which one I choose to believe. Now with my old tank, I was having a problem with my fish randomly dying. They would look all white, and sink to the bottom and my hermit crabs would eat them alive due to the fish being too weak to swim away. I don't know if this has to do with my salinity being too low or even too high from my Coralife hydrometer reading. I started thinking that my fish were just being exposed to really low or really high salt. Is it a possibility that my Coralife is bad?

 

[joekool]

Why don't you take a sample to your LFS and see what they get.

Most of us use refractometers not hydrometers. I would invest in one they are much more accurate. Well some hydrometers are accurate but few and far between. I recommend that you get a sea water refractometer and not a brine refractometer. Red Sea makes a nice unit.

Beware not all refractometers calibrate the same some use RO some a solution so pay attention to that.

 

[_Conway]

I started with a hydrometer which can be inaccurate if a single air bubble sticks to the swing arm so I got a refractometer on amazon
It had to be calibrated which I did by comparing it to my hydrometer. Then to be sure I brought the refrac. To my LFS and they checked the calibration for me.
Refrac. Is the best and most convenient to use.

 

[Bensadork]

Premium Aquatics Heavy Duty Refractometer | Premium Aquatics i dont know if posting a link in this site is frowned upon so I do apologize if im breaking a rule. I am only posting this because this refractometer seem to be like a third of the cost as normal ones and I am wondering if anyone has ever heard of this brand or used one? I always like a deal and this one seems too good to be true. If this is a legit product I may have to hit the order button right now on this refractometer.

 

[_Conway]

I only paid 25$ on amazon FYI
The more expensive ones are for pros who might bang it around during their travels more than us hobbyists

 

[_Conway]

Premium Aquatics Heavy Duty Refractometer | Premium Aquatics i dont know if posting a link in this site is frowned upon so I do apologize if im breaking a rule. I am only posting this because this refractometer seem to be like a third of the cost as normal ones and I am wondering if anyone has ever heard of this brand or used one? I always like a deal and this one seems too good to be true. If this is a legit product I may have to hit the order button right now on this refractometer.

Check amazon for good price