Saltwater Refractometer

[smoothie7]

I was looking at the Milwaukee Seawater Digital Refractometer and it looks really nice. I am just getting into saltwater aquariums and have a 90 gallon and 29 gallon take. How often would I be using this tool. Wandering if I can justify spending the money.

[kellyj]

Smoothie,
When I started out a few months ago, I bought a hydrometer ($10-15).  I couldn't get an accurate enough reading with it so I looked into a refractometer.  I couldn't justify the cost of the digital, (over twice the price) so I bought the analog/manual one.  It works great and I am happy with my decision to not get the digital one.  I use it every few days and every water change.  Get a refractometer, you will be pleased.
Kelly

[rrivera@cinci.rr.com]

Get them off ebay or amazon, usually cost $25 and well worth the $$$

http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-10-Salinity-Refractometer-Aquarium-Salt-water-Test-Hydrometer-Fish-Tank-Case-/251514732694?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a8f724096

[Wall_Tank]

The club has that Milwaukee meter for loan if you are a premium member....   Definitely not required, but it easy to use.    For the most part a hand held refractometers are fine.

Do be sure that you calibrate with pure water, or better yet with calibration fluid   http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/RH-OV20010.html

[andys1982]

I'm a pretty big advocate of hydrometers.  Yes, they are not as accurate, but accuracy is not that big of deal with salinity.  Consistency is more of an issue.  There's a pretty big range of acceptable salinity readings.  It is not critical that you are exactly at 1.026.  It is more critical that the value is not constantly going up and down.  I read my salinity at 1.026 with a hydrometer.  If the actual salinity is 1.023, it is no issue as long as my creatures appear healthy and I keep my readings at 1.026 on the hydrometer.  This is just my opinion.  Once upon a time cheap refractometers were not available.  Since they have became available, I still haven't bothered making the upgrade.  My deep six hydrometer has yet to fail me.

[tswanso3]

Get the refractometer, you'll love it... keep my tanks at 1.025

[Viggen]

I purchased the Milwaukee digital refractometer and rarely use it.... I think I have used it 2 times actually? 

Willing to sell it if interested

I use the manual refractometer due to being easier.  Like stated above what's important is consistency and not the actual salinity that is unless you are doing a hypo treatment with sick fish, then and only then it needs to be exact. 

Otherwise a hydrometer or manual refractometer is all that's needed..... But like I mentioned I do have the digital Milwaukee unit I could sell

[merlin3]

How much?

[Viggen]

Open to offers... Didn't think of selling It until I posted in this thread

I don't even remember what I paid for it