hydrometer?

[gerald28]

Hi im currently using a cheap hydrometer call aijim i think from china brand ,so asking you all here is this good enough? or i should invest in another 1 ? any brand you guys recommend here if i should change? and what specific gravity you guys recommend for a fish and live rock only tks a lot guys

[blueheaven]

Go get a refractometer instead

[aStRoBo|]

Hi im currently using a cheap hydrometer call aijim i think from china brand ,so asking you all here is this good enough? or i should invest in another 1 ? any brand you guys recommend here if i should change? and what specific gravity you guys recommend for a fish and live rock only tks a lot guys

if u talking abt the floating type.. i have been using it since 1yr ago.. and still using.. quite reliable for me

[penyu]

I think 'cheapo' brand will do the job. Ive been using it since the first day I set up my marine tank and there have been no problems.

[terryansimon]

I used to use the Coralife swing arm type. the problem with swing arm types is that it's super mafan, must make sure no air bubble kenna caught there or something.

[solo]

"Swing arm" type of hydrometers are rather incurrate.

In my case I use a refractometer to ensure the SG of the saltwater mix is at the correct value & then check the same saltwater mix with my cheapo hydrometer & note the position of the arm for future use. Glad I did this as the position of the arm was way below the "normal" range markings on the hydrometer.

I can now conveniently make saltwater mix with the correct SG with the cheapo hydrometer alone.

Once in a blue moon I will reverify the position of the hydrometer against the refractometer as a precaution.

[35Cents]

Using my swing arm hydrometer for a few months now, quite ok... china brand 'Yinsheng' bought at EAN for 7 bucks. Put in distilled water and it reads 1.000sg, so I think its fairly accurate... but I may be wrong as it might haywire in higher sg readings....

But as the above mentioned, getting a refractometer is more safe especially if dealing with hard corals or sensitive fishes. My 35cents....

[gerald28]

question :what a refractometer and how much does ot cost and where cn i purchase it cheap tks guys

[lightningstrike]

question :what a refractometer and how much does ot cost and where cn i purchase it cheap tks guys

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=14134

[limbssg]

I've been using those swing arm hydrometer since day 1 and find that it's alright. U must keep track of the SG every 2-3 days and top up with fresh water.

Generally, corals, inverts and clams require SG 1.023 - 1.025 while fishes can tolerate SG 1.020 - 1.025.