Refractometers;NEW ref. std.

[Scooterman]

I can't find where I got mine but found it here.

http://wetpetsusa.stores.yahoo.net/trmaprhy.html

These look nice also, sure they are accurate also, just check the temp. calibration.

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings.categories/ssid/32

http://wetpetsusa.stores.yahoo.net/trmaprhy.html

 

[DisturbedReefer]

I can't find where I got mine but found it here.

http://wetpetsusa.stores.yahoo.net/trmaprhy.html

These look nice also, sure they are accurate also, just check the temp. calibration.

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings.categories/ssid/32

http://wetpetsusa.stores.yahoo.net/trmaprhy.html

Ok I'm a goober, I thought there was some new Tropic Marin Refractometer out there. I must have missed the part about the old school hydrometer. I haven't used one since the 80's but if that is the only truely reliable test method then I'm in.

 

[Boomer]

DisturbedReefer

You do not need an expensive one. The cheap China ones are good enough for us, just get it calibtaed properly. Soon there will be an article out on Refracts. As far as SeaWater one's there are only 3 set to seawater that are made on this planet and one of them is the Misco Digital Fiberoptic Sea Water Refractometer ( $649.00 discontinued a couple of months ago. ). Others are the famous Japanese Atago and the famous German Kruess. Atago is the other company that makes one for seawater ATC-S / Mill-E. And I have called and confirmed that it is a real seawater refract. As does VEE GEE, a newcomer, which has a seawater refract for $87, VEE GEE 43036 STX-3 Handheld Seawater Refractometer, which IS NOT A REAL SEAWATER refract.


Atago Seawater Refract $216
http://www.nationalmicroscope.com/microscopecatalog/product_info.php/products_id/230?osCsid=48b


Kruess ( the company the cheap Chiness are trying to copy with their fake blue ones, well know to be a std. color for Kruess refracts) The Kruess is $117but has no ATC and is not seawater.


Misco
http://www.misco.com/index.php

VEE GEE a real one seawater refract
http://www.novatech-usa.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.397/.f

 

[DisturbedReefer]

DisturbedReefer

You do not need an expensive one. The cheap China ones are good enough for us, just get it calibtaed properly. Soon there will be an article out on Refracts. As far as SeaWater one's there are only 3 set to seawater that are made on this planet and one of them is the Misco Digital Fiberoptic Sea Water Refractometer ( $649.00 discontinued a couple of months ago. ). Others are the famous Japanese Atago and the famous German Kruess. Atago is the other company that makes one for seawater ATC-S / Mill-E. And I have called and confirmed that it is a real seawater refract. As does VEE GEE, a newcomer, which has a seawater refract for $87, VEE GEE 43036 STX-3 Handheld Seawater Refractometer, which IS NOT A REAL SEAWATER refract.


Atago Seawater Refract $216
http://www.nationalmicroscope.com/microscopecatalog/product_info.php/products_id/230?osCsid=48b


Kruess ( the company the cheap Chiness are trying to copy with their fake blue ones, well know to be a std. color for Kruess refracts) The Kruess is $117but has no ATC and is not seawater.


Misco
http://www.misco.com/index.php

VEE GEE a real one seawater refract
http://www.novatech-usa.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.397/.f

Thanks Boomer! I have a Milwakee Refractometer now and I also have the calabration fluid from PM for my monitor. If this is just fine as long as it is calibrated then I will do that. I was looking at the Atago one before but if it is not necessary then I will save my $$$. Thanks!

 

[Boomer]

Scoot

That hydrometer at Aqautic Eco-Systems is calibrated to 60 F just so you know and the TM is at 77F

Also the TM
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=7360&N=2004+113202

 

[LakeEd]

Hummm... sounds like it is being suggested to move backward in technology, using one of the "floaty-bob's" (hydrometer)... guessing exactly where the wicking of water is happening on the glass tube (especially if there is any water movement at all around it), to get a "close-guess" measurement.

At least with my Refractometer, I know its compensating for temp (why I purchased the model I did) so I don't need to worry about messing up any math, and the reading doesn't bounce around while I'm trying to see it.

I can buy into using a calibration fluid... afterall calibrating our pH monitors, and/or even a Salinity Monitor (which comes with the 53.0 mS calibration fluid you recommend), is something most of us are used to, and comfortable with.

I guess my concern with this post is... things are sounding like our tanks are in HORRIBLE DANGER because we are using a Refractometer... which we have been told for years by almost everyone in the hobby has the easiest to extrapolate, steadiest readings available to use, at the most reasonable cost.

Reading between the lines here myself... I'm not seeing the use of a Refractometer as being a problem, just that we need to be aware that there IS a calibration fluid available out there (I know I wasn't aware of that at all) that we should be using if we wish to get as accurate as possible readings. Our tanks aren't in massive danger because we haven't been using this calibration fluid and have been using RO/DI instead (consistancy being most important in our Reefs), but we may not be sitting exactly where we thought we were.

 

[Scooterman]

That hydrometer at Aqautic Eco-Systems is calibrated to 60 F just so you know and the TM is at 77F

yea I saw that!

± 0.0005 at 77° Fahrenheit TM is fairly close enough IMO, Once I cal. my refract. then I'll compare the two & use the refract. because it is quicker.

 

[swissgaurd]

and here i thought this was my best investmant.
it sure made my life easier,ive got the milwauki brand, tested distilled water ,refract. read 0 perfect.hmm where can i purchase the 53mS
calibration fluid.

 

[LakeEd]

and here i thought this was my best investmant.
it sure made my life easier,ive got the milwauki brand, tested distilled water ,refract. read 0 perfect.hmm where can i purchase the 53mS
calibration fluid.

Swissgaurd,

I would suggest Premium Aquatics. Below is a link.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...uct_Code=PIN-SAL-FLUID&Category_Code=Pinpoint

 

[swissgaurd]

Swissgaurd,

I would suggest Premium Aquatics. Below is a link.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...uct_Code=PIN-SAL-FLUID&Category_Code=Pinpoint

thanks

vic

 

[Scooterman]

Boomer does it matter what name brand Refract. as long as your use 53mS solution to calibrate it? I have a Sybon, so if I get this 53mS solution & adjust to it then I should be dead on correct?

Thanks!

 

[Boomer]

No Scoot, as long as it is a SG refract, which that one is.

 

[NaH2O]

Boomer does it matter what name brand Refract. as long as your use 53mS solution to calibrate it? I have a Sybon, so if I get this 53mS solution & adjust to it then I should be dead on correct?

Thanks!

Scooty - I just spoke with someone that said they double checked their sybon with the Pinpoint salinity calibration solution and the refractometer needed to be adjusted.

Boomer, can we use Randy's Homade Calibration standard, or would it be better to purchase a 53mS solution? He did an article on it awhile back. I'll grab the article and have a peek.

 

[Boomer]

Yes Niikki Randy's is fine. The only issue is some are having proiblems measuring it up right. I have suggested if that is the issue then just take the salt and RO/DI water to the drug store chemist and have him do it. Bring a copy or he instucitons with it to be sure. The issue is partly the instuctions, ie. tablespoons or cups. There are wet and dry cups and talespoons and they are not the same. Randy did not know this at the time, neither did I. It took a chef to point it out to me.You are better off using Randy's instructions on dry mL.

Reef Aquarium Salinity: Homemade Calibration Standards
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.htm

 

[chris&barb]

i just got a little dejavu

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12191&highlight=refractometers

 

[Boomer]

Chris we need to beat this into peoples heads

 

[Scooterman]

I think between the swing arm, TM floater & refract. I should have it all figured out once I correct the refract with the 53mS solution.

 

[Boomer]

Jim, form thefilterguys.biz now has real seawater refracts for $97 if anyone is interested.

http://thefilterguys.biz/refractometers.htm

 

[Scooterman]

Boomer do you need to use the 53mS on it also or just ro like stated?

 

[Boomer]

Nope just RO/DI for that Vee-Gee. But I would still have a bottle of 53 mS just to check it but that is me