Yah I do keep an eye out. Being a student (particularly an international one), I have to keep my eyes towards the cheaper side :P

I hear ya. I like used equipment. I'm nowhere near retired, so I think there is always a better place to spend money so I'm quite thrifty too. Everything on 90-gallon SPS reef is used equipment except for the skimmer I bought new. My 50-gallon LPS reef is all used too except the return pump I bought new. :)

In my case, my whole 20long setup is all shiny and brand new (ah well, my scholarship's money just flew buy) except the light (I just couldn't spare another $150) and things are coming along just fine :D

And to keep the things even better, I removed everything "readable" from my reading table and kept the 20long on it :D

Haha, good for you. I hope you enjoy it. :)

I should note, though that many people do use distilled or RO water to calibrate their refractometers and hydrometers with no problems, but I have seen inaccuracies with these methods, so it is not a way I choose to do it. I use calibration fluids (which are cheap btw). For all that matters, you could just put the calibration fluid in the hydrometer, though it would take probably half the bottle ($3/bottle).

Thanks for the suggestion. I will do that once I get the refrac :D