Hydrometer recommendations please

Can someone please recommend a good/accurate hydrometer because I am presently using the "Coralife Deep Six" and it seems to have a mind of its own. I get all kinds of wacky readings.....too low, too high.

Thanks.

 

your best bet is to get a refractometer its the most accurate,
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_searchstatistics.asp?SearchStr=refract&action=view&idProduct=MD2101

 

Thanks Nugio.....I'll certainly look into it.

Kind of frustrating not to know where you're at.

 

Hi I use an Instant Ocean hydrometer, but I find if it isn't rinsed out throughly after each use will go wacky on next time I use it. But if you get a refractometer that would be better and more accurate!

 

I agree about the "rinsing" process. If I don't rinse mine then I get crazy numbers next time also. Just my .02.

 

I would definitely get a refractomoeter...the hydrometers are not real accurate. You have to be careful not to get air bubbles under the floating arm, you need to rinse them, etc. It used to be that a refractometer was a very expensive piece of equipment, but now you can get them for about 50 bucks...which as you all know in this hobby is not too bad ;-0

 

I use a floating hydrometer. LFS said they ran hours of tests to determine accuracy vs refractometer and came up with exactly same resuts.?

 

don't waste time or money on hydrometers.....use them for wine or beer making....buy a refractometer and don't look back. A couple of extra dollars spent will pay off in years of accurate readings. I got mine from Premium Aquatics for about $49. Works like a charm and is dead accurate.

Remember "The sweet taste of quality will far outlast the satisfaction of a low priced object"

 

Well lets see now!



Check out the accuracy ratings and ease of use for both these items. A $40 refractometer is a waste of money you would need to spend 4-5 times that amount to get anything as accurate as a floating hydrometer. Floating hydrometers are used as the gold standand at university labs worldwide for measuring SG.

This one lists at $109
Vital Sine Refractometer

* Largest and sharpest scale display we offer
* Calibration ring allows very easy calibrations
* Durable, all-metal design
* Rubber hand grip eliminates transmission of hand heat to reduce errors

Features the largest, sharpest scale display for the most accurate salinity and specific gravity readings available (±1.0% salinity and ±0.001 specific gravity). Easy, no-tool calibration, with automatic compensation for shifts in ambient temperature (from 10°- 30°C). Compact and portable for use anywhere. Metal housing and rubber hood protect unit and prevent light from entering eyepiece. Features built-in calibration ring, no-roll stand, rubber grip to insulate against hand heat, storage case, instructions, and more. Range: 0 - 100% salinity, 1.000-1.070 specific gravity.


This one lists at $24.95
High Precision Hydrometer

* Super accurate floating hydrometer measures specific gravity
* Precision crafted by hand - needs no calibration
* Marked recommended range for specific gravity simplifies testing

Precision floating hydrometers handmade by experienced craftsmen in Germany. With a maximum deviation of 0.0005, the Tropic Marin Hydrometer is an indispensable tool for scientists and serious marine hobbyists alike. Easy-to-use and accurate hydrometer never requires calibration for consistent and exact measurement in your saltwater aquarium. Specific gravity scale measures from 1.018 to 1.028, with a marked recommendation range between 1.020 to 1.023. Accurate to ± 0.0005 at 77° Fahrenheit. 1" diameter x 13-1/2".

 

I've seen refracts for 34 bucks on ebay.
the reason i dont like the floating kind is that the water has to be totally calm to get an accurate reading and theyer hard to see. either...
1.turn off all your pumps the wait till water movment stops. or...
have a container so you can scoop water into it then measure.