What salinity checker?

[Notsolostfish]

Probably this question came up here millions of times. But im new to the hobby. And all those mixed up reviews/comments is not helping me to pick a salinity checker. Im filling my marine x60.2 next week, and i need something accurately to check my salinity level. Money is not an issue. As long as its something realiable

 

[shakacuz]

i've used refractometers before. once i bought the tropic marine hydrometer i've never had to second guess my readings..

 

[PatW]

I use a refractometer and I have calibration fluid for it to be sure it is reading right (they can be adjusted into line). I maintain salinity with an auto top off. I would very highly recommend an auto top off. Marine organisms LOVE stability and an ATO is a vital way to maintain it for salinity.

 

[Pntbll687]

Floating glass hydrometer by tropic marin.

No calibration needed, accurate to with .001 when reading at 77-78 degree water temp.

seriously, don't get on the get two testers and guess every time you mix water. The number of people that post threads about refractometers being off, or "is it calibrated correctly", "what calibration fluid to use", "Help, salinity is way off" is numbing to my brain.

I prefer to keep things simple. Buy the glass hydrometer and don't get on the crazy testing and retesting train.

 

[Pntbll687]

i've used refractometers before. once i bought the tropic marine hydrometer i've never had to second guess my readings..

THIS^^^^
You posted this as was typing my post.

 

[Gtinnel]

I use and love the Milwaukee digital refractometer (MA887). I just make a thing of diy reference solution to periodically test it. I also have a cheap optical refractometer as an acceptable backup, and a Hanna conductivity pen that I absolutely hate.

 

[SPS2020]

I use and love the Milwaukee digital refractometer (MA887). I just make a thing of diy reference solution to periodically test it. I also have a cheap optical refractometer as an acceptable backup, and a Hanna conductivity pen that I absolutely hate.

+1 Cheapest I found was on eBay. Got mine a year or so back from BRS for about $89 on sale. They have gone up now ($125).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I prefer conductivity meters. They are WAY easier than some other types of devices and can read conductivity (and often temperature) in real time when doing things like acclimation, mixing saltwater, mixing kalkwasser, etc.

I had a TM hydrometer that happened to be accurate (though I’d never assume one was without checking it) but did not end up using it much. I used my Orion model 128 conductivity meter (high end) or a Pinpoint.

 

[Cassklar]

hey randy do you a recommendation on a conductivity meter for checking salinity on tank?

 

[dschuffert]

I use and love the Milwaukee digital refractometer (MA887). I just make a thing of diy reference solution to periodically test it. I also have a cheap optical refractometer as an acceptable backup, and a Hanna conductivity pen that I absolutely hate.

Same here. The Milwaukee is my goto.

 

[EricR]

Just to add to the confusion, I use:
- Giant TM precision hydrometer in 500 mL cylinder for periodic reference
- Hanna digital EC checker calibrated with Randy's DIY solution for convenience

*my Hanna always matches the TM very closely but I know there are many bad reviews out there which, I assume, could be due to poor QC on a mass-produced product (just guessing)

 

[RaymondL]

I was using a typical refractometer then started to think that there's so many different variables that would impact a true reading - calibration, holding the calibration, quality of refractometer, cleaning of it, etc...I finally settled on a Tropic Marin Hydrometer and am definitely sold - nothing to calibrate and easy to use.

The refractometer I was using was just off 1ppm, so I calibrated it against the Hydrometer - I'll use it for quick checks, but for anything more critical, the Hydrometer is the goto for me. Of course provided that the Tropic Marin is as high precision accurate as the claim - it's great that the scale is broken down so granular to give within the 0.000x value - this is not possible with a refractometer.

I wonder how these things are made and how they are calibrate, but I trust they are accurate.

 

[Fish_Fry]

To add to the confusion...

I also use the Milwaukee digital refractometer (MA887). Mine is off 0.002. This seems to match a handful of other users experience so I didn't return it. The results might not be accurate but they are consistent, which to me is more important.

I occasionally check it against a Tropic Marin hydrometer. I would use this more but it is somewhat delicate & I'm worried I'll break it.

At some point I'll explore getting conductivity meter, but for now this works for me.


Tom

 

[Daniel92481]

Definitely the Hanna salinity/temp checker and if money is no issue, I’ll take a backup