Aqua Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Hey guys My boyfriend and I are going to start a brackish tank up, and we know we'll need a hydrometer, but we're not sure what we're meant to be looking for! One of our friends has told us not to bother with them as they're terrible to try and calibrate etc... Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Don't bother with a hydrometer, get a refractometer. They are more accurate, and you don't end up having to replace them every month like you do with hydrometers when you break them. Make sure it's one with ATC (automatic temperature compensation). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aqua Posted November 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 And how expensive is a refractometer (roughly)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 Don't know exactly but over $70. More expensive than a hydrometer. But less expensive than replacing a hydrometer 3 times because you break it. Plus it's far more accurate and easy to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted November 5, 2005 Report Share Posted November 5, 2005 lduncan is right, hydrometers are crap. they break really easy and are not that acurate. get a good refractometer. and save some money in the long run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregb Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Get the swinging arm type like the deep six for around $50. Its good enough for what we use them for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Get the swinging arm type like the deep six for around $50. They're crap. Spend the extra and get a refractometer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Brackish water fish generally are evolved to handle wide fluctuations in salinity. I think a hydrometer will do just fine for a brackish tank. Just don't leave it floating in the tank, take it out after testing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 If you're like me, you'll break them wherever they are, and it ends up costing more in the long run than if you had have go the reflectometer in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petplanet Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 If you're like me, you'll break them wherever they are, and it ends up costing more in the long run than if you had have go the reflectometer in the first place. I have never broken one. I would go the swing arm type. We sell the Red Sea one for $29.95. Refractor would be $100+. If you feel like spending the extra go dor it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 I think the refractometers are really worth the money, i have seen so many tanks having problems and it always comes down to the basics like salinity. So far almost all the hydrometers i have tested have been incorrect . Spending additional money to get a refractometer is really worth it and you wont regret it. Hydrometers just dont stack up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetskisteve Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Agree 100% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warick hearn Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 The swinging arm type are faulty....I had one and after getting a refractometre I realilised that the salt in the tank was out by 13 points...so instead of the reading being 0.025 on the swinging arm type the reading on the refractometre read the salt as 0.037!!!! So dont bother getting a hydrometre....you need a refractomtre....about $150. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feelers Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I think im gonna go swinging arm type, I dont think my salinity has to be as accurate as you guys need. Has anyone had a good swing arm one? I figure I'll test it to make sure its close enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 The taste test should be all you need , as that is as good the swinging arm is, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feelers Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I would imagine it would be luck of the draw if you get a good one or not. Maybe they could have a package deal "seio pump&swingarm hydrometer" lucky dip. If its crap I'll take it back and get a good one. Will the pet store test it with a refractometre? Is it true you can get them to test your water for free? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I'd personally go with a floating hydrometer. Seems like it'd be more repeatable and you can just toss it in the tank, see what it reads and take it out more easily. Mine compared to my refractometer was only off a little, .001 or something, that should be just fine for a brackish tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feelers Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 My tank has to be full strength seawater, I might build a little plastic box so the hydrometer can be permanantly in the sump. How much for the floating ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 You don't want to keep it in there permanently, coraline and stuff builds up on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puttputt Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Agree 100% nearly fell off my chair reading that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostface Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 lol @ seio and swingarm package deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I'd personally go with a floating hydrometer i wouldnt recommend it at all. my last hydrometer was 0.003 out. salinity is very important to keep right. take for example scatman's tank (no offense to him here, he didnt have a refractometer at the time) He was having problems with corals dying - I checked his salinity with my refractometer it was 1.031, corals getting burnt! this is probably more important on a smaller tank than larger, if you dont get your topup right then salinity can swing more (yeah yeah, more evaporation on larger tanks but still the proportion is greater on smaller tanks!) this is not something you want to cut corners on, especially if you are investing money on nice corals, then be smart and invest the money on the right equipment to test water parameters. that includes quality test kits like salifert too!!! How much for the floating ones? you can have my old inaccurate one!!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scatman Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 No problem Chim . That is how some people learn . By overlooking the obvious you get burnt and my corals did. I still use the swingarm one but will upgrade this month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feelers Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Hey chimera I might take you up on that offer . If I work out how to calibrate the readings wouldnt that be acceptable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveA Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Refractometers are good until they start to leek, because the seal round the lens has crapped out, and you can't get any spare parts. They don't seem quite as good vfm then. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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