What Type Of Refractometers Are Best

Kehaulani · Mar 19, 2015

Hey guys and girls!
What type of Refractometers are being used in your tanks? I'm using a non ditigal one but thinking about upgrading since I hear the ditigals are nice to have.

vic67 · Mar 19, 2015

I don't have a digital one but I do have one that has ATC (automatic temp compensation). It seems to be very accurate.

hybridazn · Mar 19, 2015

If you have the cash the Milwaukee digital refractometer is nice. I love mine

SeahorseKeeper · Mar 19, 2015

vic67 said:
I don't have a digital one but I do have one that has ATC (automatic temp compensation). It seems to be very accurate.

This is what I use and I have no complaints.

Kehaulani · Mar 19, 2015

Ok when reading your ATC refractometer what exactly are you looking for? I get confused with the two columns and how to read it properly.

Waters · Mar 20, 2015

I also have the Milwaukee digital refractometer...don't think I could ever run a tank without one now that I have used it for 1+ years.

berbotty · Mar 20, 2015

hybridazn said:
If you have the cash the Milwaukee digital refractometer is nice. I love mine

+10

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 20, 2015

Kehaulani said:
Ok when reading your ATC refractometer what exactly are you looking for? I get confused with the two columns and how to read it properly.

You mean the ppt (like 35) or specific gravity numbers (like 1.025)?

You can read either one. Just be sure to calibrate it with a 35 ppt standard, and set that to 35.0 ppt or sg = 1.0264 and stick to that unit of measure. The ppt and specific gravity do not aline properly on refractometers used for seawater, unless they are a true seawater refractometer (most are not, they are meant for sodium chloride solutions (brine)).

NanaReefer · Mar 20, 2015

Waters said:
I also have the Milwaukee digital refractometer...don't think I could ever run a tank without one now that I have used it for 1+ years.

Yes you could-lol. Been running mine for 6yrs without one.

Waters · Mar 20, 2015

NanaReefer said:
Yes you could-lol. Been running mine for 6yrs without one.

Ok, let me rephrase that.....don't think I could ever WANT to run a tank without one :bigsmile:

Kehaulani · Mar 22, 2015

Thanks guy

AdamNC · Mar 22, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
(most are not, they are meant for sodium chloride solutions (brine)).

Would that include the Red Sea and the BRS one? My LFS has both and I was contemplating on getting one or the other and ditching my hydro swing arm one.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 23, 2015

I have not checked those, but unless it claims something like bring a "true seawater refractometer" it is almost certainly a brine refractometer, but will work just fine if calibrated with a seawater standard.

las · Mar 23, 2015

hybridazn said:
If you have the cash the Milwaukee digital refractometer is nice. I love mine

How is the accuracy on that thing? How often does it need calibrating?

Paolissimo · Mar 25, 2015

veegee refractometer

Reefing Madness · Mar 25, 2015

Milwaukee Digital would one of the best out there for SW use.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/

deerhunter06 · Mar 26, 2015

whats the difference between calibrating with something that is 1.00 sg vs 1.026sg?? I guess what im saying if you abosultely know your water is 1.00sg and you zero your refractometer to that solution wouldnt it accurately read anything else?

hybridazn · Mar 26, 2015

las said:
How is the accuracy on that thing? How often does it need calibrating?

I've found it to be spot on. Backed it with my refractometer a few times

It needs to be zero'd out before each reading but that only takes a second to do with ro water.