Hydrometer

[R.A.W.]

Just need a good hydrometer that preferably doesn't cost too much.

Needs to be able to take SG for a slightly brackish molly tank (so about as low as it can go).

Thanks.

 

[Amphiprion]

Well, any of the better hydrometers aren't going to necessarily be cheap. A usually cheaper alternative to lab-grade hydrometers are refractometers. Good ones can be had for ~$45 and when calibrated, are more than good enough. They are easier to use and require a bit less work than a hydrometer, too.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Instant Ocean makes good ones for cheap. So does SeaTest.

 

[jedc53]

According to me a good hydrometer price are $4.99.I have got my floating hydrometer from Petco for like $4.99.If you were to hang the hydrometer in the tank permanetly.

 

[MarquesKanvide]

A hydrometer is a measuring instrument for measuring the density of a liquid relative to water..Hydrometers are used in so many ways, but the most common use is for wine, beer and mead makers is determining the alcohol content of a homemade beverage.It is pretty easy to use a hydrometer.It is a very simple tool for checking the specific gravity of a liquid.

 

[RiVerfishgirl]

Really I would suggest a refractometer. The commonly available hydrometers aren't accurate from each one to each one, and most don't measure accurately. Also break fairly easily. I've went through a bunch. My refractometer is still here.

I had an Instant Ocean one that I thought was working well. Well when I brought my refractometer the water was actually reading 1.017 on the refractometer compared to 1.021 on the hydrometer....and the lower the salinity the worse they tend to read (IME), so for brackish I wouldn't use one.

So yeah I don't trust 'em, especially not the instant ocean ones.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Thing is though, BW doesn't have to bee as spot on, as a reef. Even refractometers need calibrating to be sure.

 

[RiVerfishgirl]

Thing is though, BW doesn't have to bee as spot on, as a reef. Even refractometers need calibrating to be sure.

True @ brackish not needing to be spot on and refractos needing calibrating.

But I tested all the hydros they had out at my friends LFS against my refactometer and none of the hydros were reading anywhere near each other. And only one read accurately compared to my refractometer.

So I'm just not real big on them.

Though, I suppose if exact salinity isn't a big issue like in brackish, I'd suggest the seachems since they seemed to be the closest. They also didn't seem to stick as much as the instant ocean ones did even after cleaning.