What instrument do you use to measure salinity?
 

I was wondering how everyone measures there salinity and how much they have spent on their test instrument.

Refractometer. Bought it for $65.

+1

Refractometer, it was a christmas present :biggrin: so I'm not supposed to know how much it costs :razz:

Aquatronica system.

Refractometer, but do I have to say how much I paid? :redface:
Lets just say it was the only one I could find in town at the time.

Aquatronica Salinity Probe & periodic checking via. Refractometer.

Don't have to give exact price. I have seen some threads saying they have a difference of .15 to .28 in salinity due to evaporation etc. I was wondering exactly what instrument they were using to get these numbers. BTW we use a refractometer here. Never got any consistency with a hydrometer. I was also wondering how important fluctuations to salinity are in the tank. What is a safe variation over a 24h period. In light of the necessary calibration of our devices which are better over the long run, Refractometer or Electronic meter?

Doug

Refracto & Hydrometer

I use the refracto once and a while to make sure my hydro is accurate, because i'm lazy and the hydro is easier to use.

refracto - $65

was using swing arms but found out all 3 of mine were out by 0.003 when I got my refractometer.

Steve

Hydrometer - it might be off but it's my understanding any error is consistent so at least no S.G. swings with water changes.

Haha no way? Dipping the whole assemply in water, smashing it around for it to even tell me I have salt in the water, then waiting a few minutes? Haha much easier to use the refrac IMO.

I paid $65 from my refrac. I didnt bother checking my hydrometer's accuracy cause I could never get a consistant reading out of it anyways, so I wouldnt know which is actually the 'correct' measurement with it.:lol:

I find them both easy to use. My refrac. is accurate, and I tested against my hydro. And to my surprise the hydrometer is very accurate. Go figure.