help! dueling hydrometers

[vombatus]

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:

 

[Reefscape]

Buy yourself a refractometer....far more accurate than a swing arm or floating hydrometer....

Oh, and i'll move this to the Brackish forum

 

[vombatus]

BAH! How did I miss that?!

Thanks, lol. I'll look into refractometers.

 

[jpappy789]

I agree with Niko, and they are simple to use. I'm a freshie and I can even use one

 

[zoowks]

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

 

[Pufferpunk]

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.

 

[robbob2112]

This is the one I have..

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=10490

 

[Sploke]

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]

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]

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!