help! dueling hydrometers

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vombatus

AC Members
So I am working on getting the salinity in my brackish tank to where I want it, for the mudskippers I'll be getting in a couple of days. I have two hydrometers, one's the floating tube kind and the other's the swing-arm kind, and they give me different readings every time; that is, they don't agree with one another. I don't like either one of them. To use the tube, I have to put water from my shallow tank into a tall bottle. But on the swing-arm, the numbering starts at 1.012, which is a little higher than what I need (1.003-1.010). I'm really lost! I know the SG doesn't have to be exact or stay super-constant for mudskippers, but I want to be able to know for certain that I'm in the proper range at all times. :help:
 
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zoowks

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Oct 13, 2007
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any suggestions on reliable, effective refractometers? I'm looking to get one also, no more swinging-arm for me!
 

Pufferpunk

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Mar 22, 2002
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Gotr mine from Ebay for around $35. Along with that refractometer, be sure to buy calibration solution. I find mine needs recalibrating avery few months. If you decide to with Drs Foster & smith, I can tell you how to get a discount.
 

Sploke

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Oct 20, 2005
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Matt
the triple scale floating one will be a lot more accurate than the swing arm, you'll just have to correct for temperature. I agree though, a decent refractometer is the best choice.
 

xspainx69

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Nov 29, 2007
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Yeah I agree, refractometers are way more accurate even though I dont have one lol. I am just lazy and choose to keep using my swing arm Instant Ocean Hydrometer.
 

Pufferpunk

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Mar 22, 2002
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Refractometers/hydrometers are crap, unless they are calibrated. Last time I calibrated mine, it was off by .005 (had been calibrated 6 months previous). The water was really 1.030 but the refractometer said 1.025!
 
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