how accurate are hydrometers??

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brent245

Piranha
MFK Member
Dec 1, 2009
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Arizona
I am doing a nano reef in a 6 gal fluval edge. I just set it up yesterday and am having a hard time getting the salinity right. It seems like i've added way to much salt but the hydrometer doesn't seem to move much. I have it at 1.022-1.023 now. But it just seems like i'e added way to much salt. I have 2 different hydrometers and they seem to vary wildly from 3-4 thousandths.

After making the initial mixure according to the instructions, my salinity was waayy low. I added another scoop and a half to get it where it is now. A scoop and a half is alot in a 6 gallon.

This is my first saltwater tank in 15 years, i'm probably just being anal.
 
Not as accurate as refractometers. :)
 
there not as accurate, but there usable for most people.

i would make sure to wait a couple hours after mixing the salt to take the reading, if you take it too soon it can be off.
 
Theyre accurate but not to the thousandth's. my friend was using a hydrometer and his salinity was around 1.022-1.023 like yours and then i tested his water with my refractometer and was around 1.029-1.030 which is way to high.

spend the extra money on a refractometer its worth it in the long run.
 
Get a refractometer, they are a great investment. I went years without one, and when I got one I was surprised how far off my tanks were. I have noticed that the hydrometers I had appear to be less accurate the older they are.
 
hydrometers are useless here is why

1. any small bubble that is attached to needle can mess up reading.

2. most are not calibrated correctly or cleaned right when purchased and have small deposits that give a wrong reading.

spend the extra money and get a refractometer and calibrate it correctly and no worries ever on salinity being off or misread

http://www.marinedepot.com/Marine_D...quariums-Marine_Depot-MD2101-FITEOPRF-vi.html

mr.reef24
 
i can tell what salinity is by how my corals are doing and the test test ;)
 
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