Are refractometers all the same?

[gajeep94yj]

I'm about to start making salt water for the first time and need to pick up a refractometer to test the salinity.

Are they pretty much all the same? This one looks like the one my LFS uses to test my water
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EHHZDI/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_1Z76ub001KEDR">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EHHZDI/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_1Z76ub001KEDR</a>

Is this one fine? Is there something I should or should not be looking for?

Thanks

 

[skriz]

No, they're not all the same.

 

[gajeep94yj]

Ok.....would you care to elaborate? Or make a recommendation?

I'm sure this is a newbie question...But then again. I am new at this

 

[jennm]

The super-cheap ones like the one pictured, are mostly the same. I've seen the same device with many different labels. The photo in your link is misleading - it shows either 2 different devices (one is markedly shorter than the other) or one photo is retouched - it should look like the longer image.

Most of them are good enough for the job - be sure to get calibration solution too and calibrate regularly. Some of the cheaper ones lose calibration easily - and do not trust them to be calibrated right out of the box.

Jenn

 

[gajeep94yj]

Thanks for the reply. Can you link to one that you would recommend? Preferably on Amazon since I have prime.

 

[nickh06]

Marine Depot sells through amazon, I have been using one of their's for years with no problem.

 

[jennm]

Dunno I don't shop on Amazon.

 

[camellia]

I think anything like the one at LFS and link above will be fine as long as you keep it calibrated, with required fluid.
Did your RODI come with a TDS meter? If not you will need one of those too, there not expensive $20 can can you a dual in line. $12 a handheld, most all are goingo do the job.
GL

 

[gajeep94yj]

It came with a tds meter....But currently being replaced because the display was messing up.

 

[skriz]

GaJeep94YJ;1016937 wrote: Ok.....would you care to elaborate? Or make a recommendation?

I'm sure this is a newbie question...But then again. I am new at this

Recommendation: use what your LFS is using. Worst case scenario, you'll both be off by the same amount.

 

[tonymission]

My life changed when I went digital.
Milwaukee baby

 

[reef coffee & curly hair]

If you don't mind the price tag then tonymission has it right. I use a sybon and H2ocean refrac for ease but use the digital to tighten the calibration up. Refrac's are just easier to use if you run several tanks.

 

[lsu_fishfan]

tonymission;1017010 wrote: My life changed when I went digital.
Milwaukee baby

Same

 

[skriz]

tonymission;1017010 wrote: My life changed when I went digital.
Milwaukee baby

:up:

 

[jrwhite07]

I love my Milwaukee as well!!

 

[enderg60]

I lost my CUC and some corals after I dropped mine and the calibration went way off.

Cheap ones are fine, just be sure you have calibration fluid and calibrate often.

At some point I plan to upgrade my controller to an APEX and get the salinity monitor, but not yet.

 

[gajeep94yj]

I ordered this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EHHZDI/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_-8r7ub0D70H87">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EHHZDI/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_-8r7ub0D70H87</a>

Hope it works.

 

[gajeep94yj]

Any tips or directions on how to calibrate?

 

[jimmyb819]

Did you get calibration fluid? You should just apply the calibration fluid to the refractometer and then adjust the calibration screw till it reads whatever the salinity of your calibration fluid is.

If you don't have fluid you can calibrate with ro water and set to 0. Not quite as good but should work.