What is the Best digital refractometer ?

Timrpn · Jul 18, 2020

Thanks all, I went with the Hanna one. Hopefully I won’t be disappointed.

BighohoReef · Jul 18, 2020

Milwaukee been satisfied... I also use a cheap one I found on Amazon as well for the double check...

thunderreefer · Jul 18, 2020

Timrpn said:
If Tropic Marin hygrometer is so precise then why spend the extra $90 on Milwaukee ?

I had the Milwaukee first, and if I had to pick one, it would be the Milwaukee. I’m not saying you need both. I like a way to double check my readings and equipment. My OCD is partly due to an issue I had with the calibration of my refractometer. I also have a Hanna temp probe to periodically check my Apex temp readings. I did have the Hanna probe first before deciding to get a controller. I’ll never trust a heater dial/reading. All completely my personal preference in testing. My Milwaukee is very easy to use and accurate. Definitely my go-to. Either the Milwaukee or Tropic Marin hydrometer work great and easy to read on its own. The hydrometer is too tight of a fit in my frag tank (I think it’s 14”). I usually break the hydrometer out when I’m mixing up salt. The hydrometer does give the impression of additional accuracy as you can see if you’re 1.025 or somewhere in between at increments of .0001. They both have a deviation of 0.001. I don’t think you can go wrong with either.

Reef keeper · Jul 18, 2020

Absolutely love my milwaukee

Mjl714 · Jul 18, 2020

thunderreefer said:
I had the Milwaukee first, and if I had to pick one, it would be the Milwaukee. I’m not saying you need both. I like a way to double check my readings and equipment. My OCD is partly due to an issue I had with the calibration of my refractometer. I also have a Hanna temp probe to periodically check my Apex temp readings. I did have the Hanna probe first before deciding to get a controller. I’ll never trust a heater dial/reading. All completely my personal preference in testing. My Milwaukee is very easy to use and accurate. Definitely my go-to. Either the Milwaukee or Tropic Marin hydrometer work great and easy to read on its own. The hydrometer is too tight of a fit in my frag tank (I think it’s 14”). I usually break the hydrometer out when I’m mixing up salt. The hydrometer does give the impression of additional accuracy as you can see if you’re 1.025 or somewhere in between at increments of .0001. They both have a deviation of 0.001. I don’t think you can go wrong with either.

Well said, similar processes over here, trust by verify.

Cory · Jul 18, 2020

I own a milwalkee digital refractometer, a sybon handheld refractometer, and a tropic marin floating glass hydrometer with lab grade glass thermometer. If i had to pick one, it would be the floating glass hydrometer because there is very little to go wrong. The milwakee isnt accurate 2% difference is too much imo. The sybon handheld refractometer is accurate but its screw has rusted bad.

Russell Casey · Jul 19, 2020

Hanna to me is the best on the market. Mine quit working after almost daily use in five tanks, and they replaced it free. Never had an issue, perfecto!!! Also you can drop it in the water and it floats, not that I reccomend making that a habit.

siggy · Jul 19, 2020

After this discussion I ran a calibration on my hanna pen. This was the first time since the initial cal 8 months ago. It was still right on the money.

JR Bodyman · Aug 4, 2020

I’ve seen Milwaukee used at the reef stores. Funny this cam up because I ordered one and I just got a message on my phone that it was delivered to my house about an hour ago.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Aug 4, 2020

Timrpn said:
Hi everyone!

What would you say the best digital refractometer is?

Would you go with the Milwaukee Seawater Digital Refractometer, or Hanna ? Or something different?

Thanks for your opinions!

Just for giggles, let's be sure that everyone reading this thread knows that the Hanna is not a refractometer.

So my question is, are you asking what is the best digital refractometer, or what is the best way to measure seawater salinity?

If the latter, while many types of devices can work just fine for reefkeepers, "best" will likely be a conductivity meter.