Hydrometer/Salinity- Lesson learned!

5xevy

5xevy

Member #62,749
Jan 3, 2007
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Upstate, NY
I was checking out the Aquaria Central sister site, MFK. They have a forum called 'Lessons Learned', which made me think of something that I figured would be best posted here in the Marine Newbie Forum.

When I first started this hobby my LFS advised me to buy a hydrometer, and strongly suggested this one:

http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/view_Catalog_Page.asp?id=6565

After all, it's the one they used. :) They said it was extremely accurate, as long as I rinsed it between each use as well as making sure there are no air bubbles during the readings. So I bought it.

As most fishkeepers do, I made some mistakes in the beginning. Long story short- my fish developed ich (ugh), and at that time I chose to go the hyposalinity route.

This hydrometer wouldn't go as low as I needed my salinity so my LFS recommended I get a refractometer- yes, more expensive but WAY more accurate. My LFS does not sell refractometers so I ordered one online.

After receiving the refractometer, I tried calibrating it but was having a rough time...or so I thought. My 3-month old hydrometer was giving me a reading of 1.008 while my refractometer was reading 1.013. I just chalked it up to a newbie not being able to calibrate a refractometer. Wrong...

Went back to my LFS and bought ANOTHER Coralife hydrometer. Used it at the same time as my "old" hydrometer....the new one matched my refractometer reading and the "old" one was off by .005. To me, this was a big deal.

Lesson learned. Those cheap plastic hydrometers with the swing arm, at least in my experience, do not last long with accurate readings. As a result, I didn't actually decrease my salinity level for an actual hyposalinity treatment. I was off during the entire process without even knowing it. Lost livestock. It was very frustrating.

Now I'm not blaming the hydrometer for me losing fish! However, had it been as accurate as I thought it was at the time...I believe my life would've been easier.

I now ALWAYS use my refractometer, and make sure it's calibrated. Yes, it is more expensive, but well worth it- accurate, easy to use, reliable, lasts a while (I still have the same one).

Lesson learned.
 
I started out with a hydrometer, unfortunately, too. Of course, I had no idea at the time how inaccurate they can be. I've since upgraded to a refractometer and I'm very happy I did. The extra money spent on a refractometer is well worth it considering how much $$$ we invest in our livestock.
 
thank you so much! when I start my nano reef, i'll make sure to get a refractometer.
 
Nice- I was hoping, at best, to help at least one person.

I bought mine on eBay for about $35 (USD) + shipping. I figured I'd post it here because so many people come to the forums asking what they need for a saltwater set-up.

I'd highly recommend getting a refractometer sooner than later. I mean, if you have to replace a plastic swing-arm hydrometer every 3/4/6 months, you already have your refractometer paid for.

I know a lot of fish can tolerate various salinity levels, within reason. But inverts are an entirely different story and can and will die with lower salinity. I'd just rather be safe and pay the few extra bucks, for the sake of the fish and all of the other creatures living within my tank.

Thanks for the nice comment cheech (heh- your name brings back some memories. Foggy memories, but memories. :))
 
That is the exact story I had. I always had trouble with the Hypdro getting all the little bubbles out was more than I can do. I always had readings in the normal range. When my skimmer output started to decrease but nitrate levels were on the increase I took my water to NFS and when they pulled one of the refractometer out and came with a reading of 1.008 I bought one. Went home checked the Hydro no bubbles reading 1.023 in Refracto 1.008.
 
Same thing happened to me. My plastic one is way off and i lost a star fish and my tank almost crashed beacuse of it.
 
Since we're on refractometer topic, any particular brand of refractometers you guys would suggest?

Thanks!
Yash
 
as soon as i hauled out my plastic hydrometer from my brine shrimp days, i went out and bought one of those glass floaty ones. Between the two of them, they never match in salinity. I bought a refractometer the day after buying the glass one. It was so friggen hard to figure out salinity with those other two!
 
Hmm ... after reading up on all these comments, I'm convinced of the need for a refractometer.

Anyone with any particular brand names? Or even certain features I should look for? Or is any marine refractometer good?

Thanks!
Yash
 
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