Salinity reader which one to get?

[Sean Clark]

What if the user is a tool? Asking for a friend

All may be lost but I'll look at the data.

 

[Spare time]

All may be lost but I'll look at the data.

I think the user then needs to be recalibrated

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I think the user then needs to be recalibrated

I got an error message

 

[Gtinnel]

Did you use the proper calibration solution?

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Did you use the proper calibration solution?

I did. Maybe it was a bad batch? Let me open a fresh one and check

 

[Forty-Two]

I've only read positive things on the tropic marin floating hydrometer and a thin plastic container to float it in the tank water,think if remember correctly, tank water needs be 25° and reason for container is so still water as top of dt water very turbulent so hard/ if not impossible get accurate reading unless turn all pumps off.

This is pretty much what I now use. I have the Milwaukee as well but it’s not calibrating and is all over the place with readings.

I like the floating hydrometer - although it’s a little annoying to have to wait for it to float and stabilize - but I have more confidence in the readings

 

[RKeenan]

I have the Hanna and the Milwaukee. I really only use the Hanna 99% of the time and use the Milwaukee only to check and calibrate the Hanna which is very rare. The Hanna is just so quick and easy and always very close to dead on (double checked with Milwaukee and refractometer). Course double checks the temp as well nice touch.

 

[ArtisticReef]

Hanna, but I calibrate at least monthly. I also use the TM hydrometer.

 

[atomos]

Milwaukee and ATC refractometer are my go-to's. The Hanna Salinity tester is kaput....even after re-trying the recommended tech support workarounds that worked last time....failed miserably this time.....it's still under warranty....may need to think about warranty

 

[Reef.]

My experience with the Milwaukee has been exceptional. The instructions clearly state to calibrate often, which I did. It was spot on every time. I started going a week between checking with calibration fluid, spot on. A month, still spot on, I only check it occasionally now. I use it in three different rooms and it’s never (three years now) been off from the calibration standards.
Same goes for the free generic manual refractometer that came in a bucket of salt years and years ago. It’s been amazing. The two brand name manual units I purchased are actually horrible. One loses cal between calibrating and checking salt water so it’s useless. The other is fine unless I walk to a different room with it in the protective case, then I have to recalibrate it.

When you say calibration fluid, doesn’t the Milwaukee say to use rodi water? Or are you actually using a35ppt fluid?

 

[Reef.]

I've only read positive things on the tropic marin floating hydrometer and a thin plastic container to float it in the tank water,think if remember correctly, tank water needs be 25° and reason for container is so still water as top of dt water very turbulent so hard/ if not impossible get accurate reading unless turn all pumps off.

Other than that an "atc" ( autimatic temperature controlled refractometer and use Randy's diy calibration fluid and calibrate your refractometer when needed

H2O Aquatics are currently not accepting orders.

Thank you for your custom

www.h2oaquatics.co.uk

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.htm

And here Randy's diy calibration,super cheap to use as just uses plain old table salt ( ovbiously copy Randy's Instructions)
And if get a tropic marin floating hydrometer,read Instructions and use as advised by manufacturer and make sure thin tall container long enough to float the hydrometer In it as the link I shared just an example of what kind im talking about and didn't verify high enough ^_^

But tropic marin floating hydrometer I read never needs calibrating and super accurate if used properley ,just be careful doesnt roll off table and smashes lol

Good luck

agree, buy the tropic Marin and which ever other reader you prefer, you can then use the tropic Marin to confirm the reading of the other reader is correct, so you never have to buy calibration fluid as with the Hanna it needs calibrating often and the cost of the calibration packets soon start getting expensive.

 

[PeterEde]

tropic marine hydrometer

If I could get that I would but in Australia no one is importing good quality hydrometers so I bought a cheap one that the scale moved on. Junk
I then got the Hanna salinity and finding having to calibrate so often off putting.
Think I'll stick to my refractometer

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

When you say calibration fluid, doesn’t the Milwaukee say to use rodi water? Or are you actually using a35ppt fluid?

Mine came with two standards, 1.000 and 1.025

 

[PeterEde]

I’m surprised anyone would recommend a swing arm hydrometer. I honestly didn’t even realize they were still available to buy anymore.

Australia seems to have a lot of these swing arm ones. They just look cheap.

 

[Reef.]

Australia seems to have a lot of these swing arm ones. They just look cheap.

A member on here swears buy them, can’t remember his name, been in the hobby for many years, I even think his avatar is of him in the sea calibrating it.

 

[Reef.]

If I could get that I would but in Australia no one is importing good quality hydrometers so I bought a cheap one that the scale moved on. Junk
I then got the Hanna salinity and finding having to calibrate so often off putting.
Think I'll stick to my refractometer

If you can’t get ahold of the tropic Marin a refractometer is a good option, just make Randy’s DIY calibration fluid to check it often, all you need is table salt and a 0.01g scales from Amazon Ying Yang posted a link to it in this thread.

 

[PeterEde]

If you can’t get ahold of the tropic Marin a refractometer is a good option, just make Randy’s DIY calibration fluid to check it often, all you need is table salt and a 0.01g scales from Amazon Ying Yang posted a link to it in this thread.

I have an Aquaone refracrometer. Yes I should make up some cal water

 

[Miami Reef]

A member on here swears buy them, can’t remember his name, been in the hobby for many years, I even think his avatar is of him in the sea calibrating it.

Are you referring to @Paul B ?

 

[Ricky J]

IMHO I wish I actually never bought the Hanna salinity tester. Mine and from what I’ve read many folks have had issues with it. Even after calibrating Hanna consistently will under read, I nearly raised my salinity to 38-39ppm on one occasion because I based everything off the Hanna. Milwaukee has my trust, I calibrate before every use and find it very user friendly. I’m sure we all have good and bad experiences with every product but I have the Hanna as a back up if need be.

 

[Reef.]

Are you referring to @Paul B ?

Yep that’s the guy.