Hydrometer

[vipermako]

bought an Instant Ocean hydrometer today. Don't quite like it initially due to a lot of bubbles attaching to the pointer. after experimenting for a while manage to fill slowly but still with some small bubbles attached.

measure 4 to 5 times, reading seems to be quite consistent.

Is this more accurate then the dip type, which i was using. Reading with the Instant ocean is 1.028 while the dip type give 1.024

[jackywongto]

bought an Instant Ocean hydrometer today. Don't quite like it initially due to a lot of bubbles attaching to the pointer. after experimenting for a while manage to fill slowly but still with some small bubbles attached.

measure 4 to 5 times, reading seems to be quite consistent.

Is this more accurate then the dip type, which i was using. Reading with the Instant ocean is 1.028 while the dip type give 1.024

why don't you invest in a refractometer bro......

can look for a second hand one.....

[HW33]

yea..refractometer is a must!

it's the 1st few equiment that i don't regret untill today haha.

[vipermako]

Ya man, just saw this available at reef depot, only $60.

paid $34 for the IO hydrometer. damned!

Is the refractometer at reef depot good?

thanks for the advice, bro. Previously got phobia using one, that is why bought the hydrometer.

[jackywongto]

Ya man, just saw this available at reef depot, only $60.

paid $34 for the IO hydrometer. damned!

Is the refractometer at reef depot good?

thanks for the advice, bro. Previously got phobia using one, that is why bought the hydrometer.

The hyro is $34?? wow.......

lol... we all learn through experience like this bro....

RD stuff are very reputable.

They have great after service anyway so no worries.

btw, they have a 10% discount from the listed price on their website.

[dnsfpl]

$54 seems a good buy

pple usually sell $30-$40 for a 2nd hand

is that the cheapest?

will invest 1 soon

thanks

[vipermako]

The hyro is $34?? wow.......

lol... we all learn through experience like this bro....

RD stuff are very reputable.

They have great after service anyway so no worries.

btw, they have a 10% discount from the listed price on their website.

thanks, bro. Will get one from RD tomorrow.

Really regret buying the IO hydrometer, damn expensive man. Next time must do more research before buying and most importantly must consult all the bros at this forum first. That is where all the experiences are.

well, alr bought liao, bo pian. Maybe will use the refractometer to calibrate the IO hydrometer at least to make it usable with some confidence, for daily routine check for my water processing tub. Tried taking 10 readings just now. Seems very consistent with proper filling technique. Now is to check against the refractometer to see how accurate it is. Will use Refractometer to confirm tank sg weekly.

btw, i read that for coral, the salinity should preferably be at 3.5% ? any advice from bros?

[onizukaa]

thanks, bro. Will get one from RD tomorrow.

Really regret buying the IO hydrometer, damn expensive man. Next time must do more research before buying and most importantly must consult all the bros at this forum first. That is where all the experiences are.

well, alr bought liao, bo pian. Maybe will use the refractometer to calibrate the IO hydrometer at least to make it usable with some confidence, for daily routine check for my water processing tub. Tried taking 10 readings just now. Seems very consistent with proper filling technique. Now is to check against the refractometer to see how accurate it is. Will use Refractometer to confirm tank sg weekly.

btw, i read that for coral, the salinity should preferably be at 3.5% ? any advice from bros?

bro refractometer is more accurate compare to hydrometer after calibration.

coral salinity recommend around 1.024~ 1.025.

refractor meter usage:

1) use the sucker provided (if there is one) to suck your display tank water (few ML will do)

2) open the protector of the refractometer, drop a few drops on the glass.

3) close the protector and the "tank water" must cover up the whole protector.

4) see thru the refractometer under normal sunlight or just normal ceiling lights.

5) you can see the measurement itself.

if still not clear, RD staff will be more then glad to explain to you in detailed

all the best!

[vipermako]

bro refractometer is more accurate compare to hydrometer after calibration.

coral salinity recommend around 1.024~ 1.025.

refractor meter usage:

1) use the sucker provided (if there is one) to suck your display tank water (few ML will do)

2) open the protector of the refractometer, drop a few drops on the glass.

3) close the protector and the "tank water" must cover up the whole protector.

4) see thru the refractometer under normal sunlight or just normal ceiling lights.

5) you can see the measurement itself.

if still not clear, RD staff will be more then glad to explain to you in detailed

all the best!

thanks, bro.

Is it easy to clean and maintain after use?

[onizukaa]

thanks, bro.

Is it easy to clean and maintain after use?

yup, just clean it with rinsed tissue/cloth and then wipe it dry.

[vipermako]

bro refractometer is more accurate compare to hydrometer after calibration.

coral salinity recommend around 1.024~ 1.025.

refractor meter usage:

1) use the sucker provided (if there is one) to suck your display tank water (few ML will do)

2) open the protector of the refractometer, drop a few drops on the glass.

3) close the protector and the "tank water" must cover up the whole protector.

4) see thru the refractometer under normal sunlight or just normal ceiling lights.

5) you can see the measurement itself.

if still not clear, RD staff will be more then glad to explain to you in detailed

all the best!

do we need to re-calibrate it at our ambient temp.

According to RD, only need to calibrate if it is dropped or due to other reason that might affect the default cal.

[onizukaa]

For me i didn't, if you want to i would suggest reading the manual and doing it according to what it said.

[CFOh]

Ya man, just saw this available at reef depot, only $60.

paid $34 for the IO hydrometer. damned!

Is the refractometer at reef depot good?

thanks for the advice, bro. Previously got phobia using one, that is why bought the hydrometer.

Ya.. IO Hydrometer is one of the better Hydrometer so far... I pay mine ~$2x.. $34 is too X...which LFS u get from?

It is recommend you have either refractometer/pinpoint or spare Hydrometer.. in case sometime U need some reference..

Cheers and Happy Reefing...

[kimwailee]

Wouldn't out there got a standard "calibration" solution like the PH meter solution?

Can use Distill water to calibrate to zero skill..

[nemo22]

i just bought 1 refractometer ,when i test it with refractormeter and hydrometer there is some different reading between these 2 meter

With REFRACTORMETER reading is 1.024 & with HYDROMETER reading is 1.019. So i never trust hydrometer cos the different is so much.

[onizukaa]

yup, invest in refractometer is a must for marine, if your hydrometer is placed to close to wavemaker, the SG will go up sometimes,then goes down..controlled by the flow too (just for those whom just started marine fyi)

[vipermako]

Ya.. IO Hydrometer is one of the better Hydrometer so far... I pay mine ~$2x.. $34 is too X...which LFS u get from?

It is recommend you have either refractometer/pinpoint or spare Hydrometer.. in case sometime U need some reference..

Cheers and Happy Reefing...

ya, you are right. the Instant Ocean hydrometer is quite good actually, after i checked it against the refractometer from RD.

Given that the refractometer that i got from Reef Depot is accurate, the Instant Ocean hydrometer is spot-on.

Initially i don't quite like it, a lot of bubbles. But with proper filling technique, it gives very consistent and spot-on reading as compared to the refractometer:-0 Glad to have one as spare, as you said. But the price is on the high side. I guess the actual price should be as you said, 20+. Taking the Boyu protein skimmer as a reference, this shop is selling at $32 as compared to $23 at other LFS. Not so nice to mention the name here.

But as i said, the IO hydrometer is spot-on, to my surprise. Now i love it. it even has a better/easy-to-see resolution than the refractometer. I use to test/adjust my water processing tank daily.

[vipermako]

i just bought 1 refractometer ,when i test it with refractormeter and hydrometer there is some different reading between these 2 meter

With REFRACTORMETER reading is 1.024 & with HYDROMETER reading is 1.019. So i never trust hydrometer cos the different is so much.

which hydrometer do you use?

[CFOh]

ya, you are right. the Instant Ocean hydrometer is quite good actually, after i checked it against the refractometer from RD.

Given that the refractometer that i got from Reef Depot is accurate, the Instant Ocean hydrometer is spot-on.

Initially i don't quite like it, a lot of bubbles. But with proper filling technique, it gives very consistent and spot-on reading as compared to the refractometer:-0 Glad to have one as spare, as you said. But the price is on the high side. I guess the actual price should be as you said, 20+. Taking the Boyu protein skimmer as a reference, this shop is selling at $32 as compared to $23 at other LFS. Not so nice to mention the name here.

But as i said, the IO hydrometer is spot-on, to my surprise. Now i love it. it even has a better/easy-to-see resolution than the refractometer. I use to test/adjust my water processing tank daily.

Cheers and Happy Reefing...

[vipermako]

vary a few salinity on my tank, surprisingly the euphyllia paraancora seems to like a value slightly above 36, judging by the amount of tentacles expansion? Not so good at 34. Slightly better at 35. Best at 36+. Values confirmed 3 times with refractometer.

Is this normal? Thought NSW is about 35?

[albinosage]

Average salinity of sea water is 35ppt (34 to 36ppt), specific gravity is measured in sg (1.025sg). The hydrometer measures specific gravity while refractometer measures salinity. The 2 units of measurements are used interchangeably in the hobby, just a heads up.

Btw, sorry onizuka, I accidentally down your rep for one one the replies above when I meant to plus 1. I can't change it back so I added a point to your next reply

[yikai]

to calibrate a refractometer, place a few drops of distilled water and then look through. use the screwdriver to adjust until it hits 0.000 sg.

[vipermako]

to calibrate a refractometer, place a few drops of distilled water and then look through. use the screwdriver to adjust until it hits 0.000 sg.

any type of distilled water? those from supermarket ok?

[yikai]

any type of distilled water? those from supermarket ok?

yes. we're just testing for the level of dissolved salt in the water, so any distilled water is fine. in fact, i used tap water. not advisable though but the levels of salt in tap water is negligible.

[albinosage]

Yup, bottled distilled water from the supermarket is fine. In fact it can be used for salt mix too.