Which is better to use? The LFS tells me the glass one is more accurate. But I've never seen anybody use them and like them except for handmade German ones. The one he's trying to sell me is made by a company named Spot. He says the company has been around for 40 years. It's 6 dollars as opposed to the 12 dollars for the plastic deep six one.
Glass or Plastic Hydrometers?
- Thread starter InTr4nceWeTrust
- Start date
Glass is always more accurate at reading the precise SG.
However, I personally think the steadiness of the SG is more important than the actual SG level, so I guess that's why a plastic one works for me.
However, I personally think the steadiness of the SG is more important than the actual SG level, so I guess that's why a plastic one works for me.
I bought a plastic one when I first started and used it maybe 3 or 4 times. It was a waste of 6 bucks in my opinion.
I would just shell out the 40 bucks for one of these.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4690+9957&pcatid=9957
I gurantee you will appreciate it in the long run.
I would just shell out the 40 bucks for one of these.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4690+9957&pcatid=9957
I gurantee you will appreciate it in the long run.
Yep a refractometer is the way to go. Hydrometers are not accurate and a pain to make sure there are no air bubbles on the needle. The refractometer is repeatable and accurate. It only takes a drop of water as well. That means when acclimating fish you can make sure the bag water matches your tank at the end of the acclimation. If it doesn't keep acclimating.
All right, I think I'll pick up the glass hydrometer. I'd love to get a refractometer but at 40 bucks + shipping I'd rather put that money into other equipment.
Well since my hydrometer was reading 1.025 and with the refractometer was showing 1.030 the $40 is easily saved in salt cost for water changes. Just depends on how lucky you are with the hydrometer.
I use the plastic and glass ones. I generally use the plastic one cause it's easier to read, but since I have a glass one already for brewing I periodically double check it against that.
My plastic swing arm was showing my S.G. @ 1.025 which I thought was perfect. Ended up buying that refractometer for $40 and it showed my S.G. @ 1.030. Tested it up against my glass one and it showed 1.028.
That was the best $40 I spent on my tank and if I hadnt, my S.G. probably would of always been at 1.030 and I would be wondering why my corals were looking bad.
If you are worried about spending $40 on your tank on an important piece of testing equipment, it is going to be more difficult for you to be successful in this hobby.
I am not saying that the more you spend on your tank the better it will look, but it helps.
I found it's best not to cut corners with my tank.
That was the best $40 I spent on my tank and if I hadnt, my S.G. probably would of always been at 1.030 and I would be wondering why my corals were looking bad.
If you are worried about spending $40 on your tank on an important piece of testing equipment, it is going to be more difficult for you to be successful in this hobby.
I am not saying that the more you spend on your tank the better it will look, but it helps.
I found it's best not to cut corners with my tank.