Salinity Testing

Hi, I was wondering how often people here test their salinity level? I was also planning on buying a refractometer, or a pin point salinity module. Can you recommend one over the other?

Thanks

 

get a refractometer, less $$ to dump on something.......I check each morning

 

I think that hydrometers work fine for the most part if you keep them clean but I do use my friends refractometer once in a while. My hydrometer is always the same amount off about 1 point so I can figure out the difference. BTW I don't know if you have to test it every day I never heard that one before I guess everyone does things a little differently.

 

i use a swing hydrometer and it takes about 5 secs to test salinity, and i have no auto-top-off, so i check for added piece of mind

 

i check mine when im bored and feel like i should fiddle with something crabby jim what kinf of hydrometer do you have?

 

I test mine once a week or when I see my sump a little low on water or when Im about to do a WC. I dont worry about it that much.

 

I have that cheap instant ocean one and I am doing alright with it so far. I also check mine when I am bored and I feel like I should be doing something to my tank. Oh and you don't have to check salinity just because you are topping off with fresh water you only lose H20 to evaporation the salt remains in the tank I have been told has anyone else heard the same thing?

 

Yes its true, salt stays in tank when water evaporates. Thats why Auto-top-offs can be used on saltwater tanks BTW what part of NJ are you from Crabby?

 

I found it funny when the guy at the LFS tells me he test his every single day. I'm thinking man i haven't tested my water in 6 months. I figured everything was good because no loss of live stock. I kept toping off with fresh water when needed, and every week would do my water changes. I guess I was just getting lazy. Crabby what part of Jersey, I'm in Edison.

 

Im near Allentown, PA. So its not to far from NJ