Newbie reef keeper! Have I got the right refractometer?!

Reef_scuba · Dec 21, 2016

I have recently got a saltwater set up and am currently cycling it ready for a couple of clowns! I have done so much research but think I might of made a mistake.. I brought a 'midrange' refractometer to test my salinity the packaging says 'salinity 0-28%' and the scale through the eye piece is from 0 to 25. I have read that the right salinity is between 1.020 and 1.025 but that reading would be impossible to see on mine, so with further research with mine it should read 3.5%. I am happy to let my local aquatics to test the water the first time before I purchase the fish but would like to keep on top of it myself afterwards. Have I got this right or have i brought the wrong product?

twilliard · Dec 21, 2016

welcome to the R2R community!
Which one did you buy?
Does it have a scale on both the left and right while viewing?

Reef_scuba · Dec 21, 2016

Thank you!I believe it's an ATC yes it does but the same numbers either side going up in 5's

twilliard · Dec 21, 2016

Should look like this
$refractometer_salinity_scale_L.jpg$

Reef_scuba · Dec 21, 2016

This is what my one looks like.. and it does show 3.5% is this not right? Thank you for your help!

macnets · Dec 21, 2016

Make sure you calibrate it

Reef_scuba · Dec 21, 2016

macnets said:
Make sure you calibrate it

Thanks, I done that with distilled water

DLHDesign · Dec 21, 2016

The thing to look for is that it's for "salinity" (eg; salt). It should say this somewhere on the sight glass (as in the photos above). If it says "brix %" or "SG" (or "Specific Gravity"), then it is for beer/wine (eg; sugar).

Sounds like you've got the right one.

Reef_scuba · Dec 21, 2016

DLHDesign said:
The thing to look for is that it's for "salinity" (eg; salt). It should say this somewhere on the sight glass (as in the photos above). If it says "brix %" or "SG" (or "Specific Gravity"), then it is for beer/wine (eg; sugar).

Sounds like you've got the right one.

Oh brilliant! Thank you so much.. good news!

DLHDesign · Dec 21, 2016

Given that you'll want to have relatively low variation in your tank, the only challenge I see with what you describe and picture is that you may not be able to detect small shifts in salinity with a "midrange" device.

Oh - and welcome to R2R!