So, I broke down and bought one...

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I finally broke down and bought a Milwaukee MA-887 refractometer. The instrument measures 1.000 SG on the distilled water sample.

It measured 1.024 SG on the standard 1.025 SG that came in the kit. I checked my tank water at it was at 1.028! I've been using an Instant Ocean hydrometer, so I expected a little error. I'm kind of surprised the gravity is as high as it is.

I'm also concerned about the error when measuring the standard solution. From the manual, I can't seem to find a way to calibrate the refractometer to meet the standard solution SG.

Thoughts? I guess I'll be making plans to slowly lower the SG over the next few days.

 

[mcarroll]

Congratulations!

Those little hydrometers are "good enough" to get you started...and they can be calibrated to be more accurate. But they are a pain to get repeatable readings from...a [HASHTAG]#refractometer[/HASHTAG] is so much nicer.

I can sample and read five or ten tanks with a refractometer by the time I can get a single, quality reading from a swing arm hydrometer.

 

[ed wicks]

Bought a high quality refractor years ago,best tool I've purchased

 

[KingTriton]

Its definitely a night and day difference. I enjoyed mine, however to be honest I prefer the VeeGee STX-3. If the Milwaukee starts to give you any issues I would look into the VeeGee.

 

[CoralNerd]

I lover my Milwaukee refractometer.
I use the little pipettes to test my water, then after the test I put some RO water in the pipette to clean it. Then I put some RO water on the Milwaukee to clean it...suck the water back up and wipe the eye of the refractometer off with a sunglasse cloth case. Works great!

 

[William Bunton]

I've had two of the Milwaukees. The first gradually read lower and lower. After arguing with them a bit, Milwaukee finally sent me a replacement. That one lasted six months or so before permanently telling me I had an air gap.

I'm very happy with my VeeGee STX-3