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rfoote 
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 Topic: Refractometer vs Hydrometer
Posted: September 15 2013 at 7:54am |
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I have a Milwaukee digital refractometer, that is reading my SG at 1.022.
While at Petco yesterday picking up other pet supplies, I grabbed a hydrometer for kicks to test against. The hydrometer is reading 1.027.
That is a big discrepancy... so which to trust?
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Ann_A
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Posted: September 15 2013 at 8:33am |
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Is there a way to calibrate the refractometer? I'm not familiar with the digital ones. I've seen some pretty inaccurate hydrometers so I generally like the refractometers better, but I'm not sure I would trust the digital ones as much because any electrical device is prone to failure or error. Also, most refractometers are easily calibrated.
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ReefdUp
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Posted: September 15 2013 at 8:38am |
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I'm on my phone, but you can make a salt solution (google it...I think Randy Holmes-Farley wrote about it) for testing. I would also use a pure water to test as well. Those two tests will tell you which to trust (if either).
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kody72
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Posted: September 15 2013 at 8:43am |
Here's a good write up on this link Refractometer vs Hydrometer
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rfoote
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Posted: September 15 2013 at 8:46am |
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Yeah, it can be calibrated. Trying to find the solution for it now. Just calibrated it about a month ago though. It has always been very accurate and almost exactly the same as my hand refractometer, but one of my kids dropped and broke it...
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jdinchak
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Posted: September 15 2013 at 10:04am |
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The Milwaukee is meant to be calibrated before every use. I believe you just use RODI.
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rfoote
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Posted: September 15 2013 at 10:20am |
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I started out doing that years ago, but proved to really only need to every few months.
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JohnnyHeavens
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Posted: September 18 2013 at 12:17pm |
Thanks for the link. My favorite part: "Personally I think hydrometers should be illegal to sell, but I would be satisfied if they had a red warning label on their packaging which read: “This is an inferior product and repeated use of this product could result in animal losses.â€
LOL-if PETA get's a hold of that...
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Bryce
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Posted: September 18 2013 at 1:28pm |
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I have and use both, I first calibrated the refractomter and then noted how far off my hydrometer was off. When I'm lazy I just use the hydrometer because I now know that it reads .001 lower than it should (after multiple tests at the temps my tank ranges). I make no argument for a hydrometer being more accurate but as long as you know how much its off by, clean it with RO/DI water after use, and knock the bubbles off the swing arm when doing a reading they work fine (again, if you know how far its off). I use the refractometer about once a month, I don't like getting it out of the case, calibrating it, moving to a bright light to read it, etc. For my water changes its just easier to grab the hydrometer then monthly confirm everything in the display is ok with the refractometer. I have an ATO and also do try to keep my tank at 1.025 so it has wiggle room up or down.
Edited by Bryce - September 18 2013 at 1:29pm
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Jimbo
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Posted: October 18 2013 at 7:34pm |
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Just wondering if you ever figured out what the problem was ? I'm thinking of buying one of the Milwaukee Digital Refractometers, did a search and found this thread.
Doing a little research and of course am seeing differing opinions.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: October 18 2013 at 10:09pm |
I would trust neither until they have both been calibrated using the Homemade Calibration Solution. I have used both and prefer the hydrometer. It's very affordable, accurate, easier to use and almost unbreakable. Aloha 
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laynframe
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Posted: October 19 2013 at 8:02am |
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refractometer, more accurate
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Fatman
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Posted: October 19 2013 at 8:17am |
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..
Edited by Fatman - November 11 2013 at 7:01am
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Jimbo
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Posted: October 19 2013 at 12:09pm |
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Thanks guys but my question was specifically about the Milwaukee Digital Refractometer . The OP had one and was having an issue with it.
I recently saw one for a good price and was thinking of picking one up although I already have a Refractometer .
Edited by Jimbo - October 19 2013 at 12:10pm
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kody72 wrote: