MarineDepot's $39.99 refractometer ... anyone own it?

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by dixiedog, Mar 3, 2009.

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  1. dixiedog

    dixiedog Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Anybody own one of these things?

    Marine Depot Aquarium Refractometer


    'Spose I should have asked BEFORE I bought it, but I have it now, regardless. ;D

    Will it do for a noob like me, for the first year or so?
     
    dixiedog, Mar 3, 2009
    dixiedog, Mar 3, 2009
    #1

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  2. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    Looks good to me. Just make sure you get it calibrated right. I use solution instead of water.
     
    Otty, Mar 3, 2009
    Otty, Mar 3, 2009
    #2
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  3. yumareef

    yumareef Astrea Snail

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    I have that model and like it. I also use calibration fluid instead of water to calibrate.
     
    yumareef, Mar 3, 2009
    yumareef, Mar 3, 2009
    #3
  4. {Nano}Reefer

    {Nano}Reefer Dragon Wrasse

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    +1 don't use regular water, don't know how you could calibrate something with no salts in it. And I have owned this exact Refractometer for a few years, I like them alot, tested it with my LFS's 150+ dollar one and the readings were identical!
     
    {Nano}Reefer, Mar 3, 2009
    {Nano}Reefer, Mar 3, 2009
    #4
  5. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    Otty, Mar 3, 2009
    Otty, Mar 3, 2009
    #5
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  6. dixiedog

    dixiedog Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Thanks, this is what I was hoping to hear!

    I'll pick up some calibration fluid with my next order of whatever ... I'm sure it won't be long!

    The device seemed good enough, to my untrained eye. It came calibrated out of the box to read zero using RODI water, and I was happy to see it agreed perfectly with the little Red Sea stick-on-the-glass hydrometer I'd been using until now.


    How often should I calibrate it? Every time I use it?
     
    dixiedog, Mar 4, 2009
    dixiedog, Mar 4, 2009
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  7. james37128

    james37128 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    Whenever using it I dab on some RO/DI water, and as long as I am reading 0 I don't worry about it. It's good to use calibration solution about once every 6 months also to keep it in check.
     
    james37128, Mar 4, 2009
    james37128, Mar 4, 2009
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  8. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    About every 6 months like stated or if you bump or drop it then I would re-calibrate.
     
    Otty, Mar 4, 2009
    Otty, Mar 4, 2009
    #8
  9. lunatik_69

    lunatik_69 Giant Squid

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    I also have one and they work great. Luna
     
    lunatik_69, Mar 4, 2009
    lunatik_69, Mar 4, 2009
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  10. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

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    Same as mine. I purchased my at a LFS about a year ago for $49.99. I love IT! I always rinse with RO after I use it.
     
    ComputerJohn, Mar 4, 2009
    ComputerJohn, Mar 4, 2009
    #10
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