Refractometer or Hydrometer ?

Ice · 12-01-2006, 09:28 PM

What's the difference between the Refractometer and the Hydrometer ? Don't they both do the same type of measurement/calibrations of determining accurate reading on salinity or specific gravity ? Do you recommend having both or one over the other ?

**Scuba Kid** · 12-01-2006, 10:22 PM

refractometers measure the percent of salt in the water whereas hydrometers measure the specific gravity of the water (the effect that salt has on water).
i personally use a hydrometer, although others say refractometers are far more precise. Im not really 100% on that, i still think that hydrometers are pretty precise, or only slightly off or less precise than a refractometer. However, they are a fraction of the cost. I prefer a hydrometer and i know others will disagree and say a refractometer is much much better, so i guess if you have the extra dough go for it. Otherwise, i don't see a problem with a decent hydrometer.

Bear · 12-02-2006, 12:15 AM

^^I agree, I would just stick with the hydrometer

vvolfe1 · 12-02-2006, 04:18 PM

I'm using a hydrometer. It has a dual purpose when I make beer.

harif87 · 12-02-2006, 05:41 PM

Some say that it doesnt account for the change in high tempertatures and that over time the needle hinge gets clogged with salt and gives less than accurate readings. Personally i use a refractometer since i feel like hydrometers are more prone to inaccurate readings than a refractometer. Refractometers go for around $35 and IMO its worth every penny.

CollegeReefer · 12-03-2006, 01:04 AM

Ice i would get a Refractometer. Actually i would get the refractometer Harif mentioned. They are much more accurate. I know this from experience. I have both. The hydrometer was different by .03 and if you look at other peoples opinons on different sites you will see similar stories.

Zachary

Ice · 12-04-2006, 07:23 AM

Thanks for the replies. Now I'll know what to put on my list.

**Fishfirst** · 12-04-2006, 10:50 AM

I've had my hydrometer for years... its off by about .05

the longer you use it... the farther off it gets.

aykfc · 12-22-2006, 10:25 AM

Harif, where did you get your refractometer? I was at a LFS and they had a really good one for $90 and all my research said they were around $100. I have a cheap hydrometer right now that measures somewhat precise and was looking at getting a refractometer. Any suggestions?

**Damon** · 12-22-2006, 10:30 AM

If you have the extra cash, get a refractometer. A hydrometer will work well enough for you as it has many for years and years.....

harif87 · 12-22-2006, 10:44 AM

I got mine from marine depot. Dont go for the $90 one, its not worth it. All it has over the "lower end" ones is that it has a light to see the reading better, so they jack up the price an extra $40. I would go for the $50 IMHO its well worth the money spent- better than the $90 refractometer and better than the $5 hydrometer.

Puffer Pita · 12-22-2006, 10:53 AM

Got mine for $25 on Ebay. Tons of brand new ones on sale.

fishbone · 01-29-2007, 01:43 PM

Topic revival time! Better than to open a new one on the exact same topic.
So I currently have an Instant Ocean brand hydrometer but for my brackish set-up it's hard to read. Basically the gravity down low is marked from 1.004 up to 1.008 so it's hard to tell what's in between.
I've decided to invest into a refractometer off eBay but I'm affraid to buy a cheap knock-off that will cause harm to my set-up
Here's a random search result
http://search.ebay.com/search/search...ter&category0=
There's a bunch going for 10-20 bucks, kinda like the one here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Salinity-Salt-Re...QQcmdZViewItem
Are these ok? What should I look out for?

Puffer Pita · 01-29-2007, 02:44 PM

Make sure its clearly marked to read salinity from 0-100 and/or a specific gravity of 1.000-1.070. Also make sure its an ATC.

This is the guy I get mine from and I highly recommend him: http://stores.ebay.com/OPTICS-MART

(RC) · 01-29-2007, 04:43 PM

I would go
Refractometer Reef Tank
Hydrometer Fish Only Tank I used one for my "Fish" tank

RC

fishbone · 01-29-2007, 08:41 PM

Puffer Pita, I am ordering now. Thanks a TON, that's exactly what I was looking for, a name of a seller so I know it won't be a deadbeat.
What sort of maintenance do these things require?

Puffer Pita · 01-29-2007, 09:38 PM

A quick rinse of the glass and cover with distilled water. Just make sure to get some spare pipettes (cheap at the drugstore) and use one only for the salted water and one only for the distilled (distilled is also used to calibrate them - 1g jug of distilled water will last you ages and is under a buck). I marked my pipettes with a D and S.

Make sure you use a non-scratching type cloth to wipe it off, something like you would use to clean your eyeglasses.

He's a very good seller IMO, I received it 9 days after the auction ended and he left me good feedback right after I paid him, rather than waiting until I gave him good feedback like so many others do.

fishbone · 01-30-2007, 07:33 AM

This toy will help me immensely, I do my best to not make the brackish water vary in gravity when I do my daily water changes, but the darn hydrometer is so hard to read. If I had a regular saltwater aquarium it would have been easier, as it is clearly marked in .001 increments. Not so much down low ...

kastotrin · 02-20-2007, 02:24 PM

hydrometers are too hard to read....definetly go with the refractometer...i paid $40 for mine on ebay....one of the best investments ive made for my tank....

12-01-2006, 09:28 PM	#1
Ice Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Age: 43 Posts: 523	Refractometer or Hydrometer ? What's the difference between the Refractometer and the Hydrometer ? Don't they both do the same type of measurement/calibrations of determining accurate reading on salinity or specific gravity ? Do you recommend having both or one over the other ?

12-01-2006, 10:22 PM	#2
Scuba Kid Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: RI Age: 17 Posts: 4,160	refractometers measure the percent of salt in the water whereas hydrometers measure the specific gravity of the water (the effect that salt has on water). i personally use a hydrometer, although others say refractometers are far more precise. Im not really 100% on that, i still think that hydrometers are pretty precise, or only slightly off or less precise than a refractometer. However, they are a fraction of the cost. I prefer a hydrometer and i know others will disagree and say a refractometer is much much better, so i guess if you have the extra dough go for it. Otherwise, i don't see a problem with a decent hydrometer. __________________ Current setups: 1800 gallon koi pond, 10 gallon planted, 150 gallon reef, other FOWLR tanks

12-02-2006, 12:15 AM	#3
Bear Salty Pants Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: In a Big Yellow House Age: 20 Posts: 895	^^I agree, I would just stick with the hydrometer __________________ My Reef My Puffer Tank My Photos

12-02-2006, 05:41 PM	#5
harif87 Minor Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 21 Posts: 990	Some say that it doesnt account for the change in high tempertatures and that over time the needle hinge gets clogged with salt and gives less than accurate readings. Personally i use a refractometer since i feel like hydrometers are more prone to inaccurate readings than a refractometer. Refractometers go for around $35 and IMO its worth every penny. __________________ sorry for beating you senseless "The human torch was denied a bank loan"

12-04-2006, 10:50 AM	#8
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Soon to be Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,505	I've had my hydrometer for years... its off by about .05 the longer you use it... the farther off it gets. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

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12-02-2006, 04:18 PM	#4
vvolfe1 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Age: 38 Posts: 126	I'm using a hydrometer. It has a dual purpose when I make beer.

12-03-2006, 01:04 AM	#6
CollegeReefer Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Stevens Pont, Wisconsin Age: 22 Posts: 386	Ice i would get a Refractometer. Actually i would get the refractometer Harif mentioned. They are much more accurate. I know this from experience. I have both. The hydrometer was different by .03 and if you look at other peoples opinons on different sites you will see similar stories. Zachary

12-04-2006, 07:23 AM	#7
Ice Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Age: 43 Posts: 523	Thanks for the replies. Now I'll know what to put on my list.

12-22-2006, 10:25 AM	#9
aykfc Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 18 Posts: 41	Harif, where did you get your refractometer? I was at a LFS and they had a really good one for $90 and all my research said they were around $100. I have a cheap hydrometer right now that measures somewhat precise and was looking at getting a refractometer. Any suggestions?

12-22-2006, 10:30 AM	#10
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	If you have the extra cash, get a refractometer. A hydrometer will work well enough for you as it has many for years and years..... __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

12-22-2006, 10:44 AM	#11
harif87 Minor Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 21 Posts: 990	I got mine from marine depot. Dont go for the $90 one, its not worth it. All it has over the "lower end" ones is that it has a light to see the reading better, so they jack up the price an extra $40. I would go for the $50 IMHO its well worth the money spent- better than the $90 refractometer and better than the $5 hydrometer. __________________ sorry for beating you senseless "The human torch was denied a bank loan"

12-22-2006, 10:53 AM	#12
Puffer Pita Puffer Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,677	Got mine for $25 on Ebay. Tons of brand new ones on sale. __________________ Tina Puffers: Auriglobus silus x2 Colomesus asellus x1 Tetraodon travancoricus x1 Tetraodon biocellatus x2 Tetraodon nigroviridis x1 Tetraodon baileyi x2 Tetraodon lineatus x1 Tetraodon palembangensis x1 The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated. - Mohandas Gandhi

01-29-2007, 01:43 PM	#13
fishbone Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 413	Topic revival time! Better than to open a new one on the exact same topic. So I currently have an Instant Ocean brand hydrometer but for my brackish set-up it's hard to read. Basically the gravity down low is marked from 1.004 up to 1.008 so it's hard to tell what's in between. I've decided to invest into a refractometer off eBay but I'm affraid to buy a cheap knock-off that will cause harm to my set-up Here's a random search result http://search.ebay.com/search/search...ter&category0= There's a bunch going for 10-20 bucks, kinda like the one here: http://cgi.ebay.com/Salinity-Salt-Re...QQcmdZViewItem Are these ok? What should I look out for?

01-29-2007, 02:44 PM	#14
Puffer Pita Puffer Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,677	Make sure its clearly marked to read salinity from 0-100 and/or a specific gravity of 1.000-1.070. Also make sure its an ATC. This is the guy I get mine from and I highly recommend him: http://stores.ebay.com/OPTICS-MART __________________ Tina Puffers: Auriglobus silus x2 Colomesus asellus x1 Tetraodon travancoricus x1 Tetraodon biocellatus x2 Tetraodon nigroviridis x1 Tetraodon baileyi x2 Tetraodon lineatus x1 Tetraodon palembangensis x1 The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated. - Mohandas Gandhi

01-29-2007, 04:43 PM	#15
(RC) nobody Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: upstate NY Age: 46 Posts: 793	I would go Refractometer Reef Tank Hydrometer Fish Only Tank I used one for my "Fish" tank RC __________________ "Lead by Example, Follow by Choice" http://www.ibcbettas.org/ http://www.cnybc.org/

01-29-2007, 08:41 PM	#16
fishbone Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 413	Puffer Pita, I am ordering now. Thanks a TON, that's exactly what I was looking for, a name of a seller so I know it won't be a deadbeat. What sort of maintenance do these things require?

01-29-2007, 09:38 PM	#17
Puffer Pita Puffer Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,677	A quick rinse of the glass and cover with distilled water. Just make sure to get some spare pipettes (cheap at the drugstore) and use one only for the salted water and one only for the distilled (distilled is also used to calibrate them - 1g jug of distilled water will last you ages and is under a buck). I marked my pipettes with a D and S. Make sure you use a non-scratching type cloth to wipe it off, something like you would use to clean your eyeglasses. He's a very good seller IMO, I received it 9 days after the auction ended and he left me good feedback right after I paid him, rather than waiting until I gave him good feedback like so many others do. __________________ Tina Puffers: Auriglobus silus x2 Colomesus asellus x1 Tetraodon travancoricus x1 Tetraodon biocellatus x2 Tetraodon nigroviridis x1 Tetraodon baileyi x2 Tetraodon lineatus x1 Tetraodon palembangensis x1 The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated. - Mohandas Gandhi

01-30-2007, 07:33 AM	#18
fishbone Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 413	This toy will help me immensely, I do my best to not make the brackish water vary in gravity when I do my daily water changes, but the darn hydrometer is so hard to read. If I had a regular saltwater aquarium it would have been easier, as it is clearly marked in .001 increments. Not so much down low ...

02-20-2007, 02:24 PM	#19
kastotrin Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Age: 24 Posts: 3	hydrometers are too hard to read....definetly go with the refractometer...i paid $40 for mine on ebay....one of the best investments ive made for my tank....

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