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I am deciding between a refractometer and a pinpoint salinity monitor. The pinpoints are so much more expensive but if the refractometers are inaccurate then there is no sense in buying one.
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You're Norma Desmond you used to be big.
I am big it's the pictures that got small.
From the classic movie "Sunset Boulevard" -
Brad, I got one that temp compensates. I think is very accurate.. I adj it or test it monthly with my RO/DI water and make any adj if needed.. Great tool for $50-$55 shipped... -
Jeff, you should calibrate with something closer the SG of the water you are testing. It could be accurate with RO/DI and not when measuring SW at the considerably higher SG. That' the same reason we calibrate pH meters using high and low solutions.
SteveU
SteveU“People are very open-minded about new things - as long as they're exactly like the old ones.”
...Charles F. KetteringComment
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This has nothing to do directly with the thread, however it made me think about salinity measurement. A friend of mine came over some weeks ago and we have compared our salinity. We have used:
Aerometer
Refractometer
Conductivity meter
We have measured the water from my tank and the water from his tank, each with one of the measuring instrument named above.
Measuring the salinity with the conductivity meter gave the same reading in both water samples.
Measuring the salinity with the refractometer showed in both water samples different results.
The aerometer reading of both water samples was also different.
The differences of the results with the refractometer and the aerometer where drastic.
I am sure this has something to do with a different comparison of the water in the tanks.
G.AlexanderComment
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A refractometer is a very accurate tool as long as it's calibrated properly, which is not always the case.
I think a really good Hydrometer, like the one from LaMotte, is the most reliable because it only needs to be calibrated once in the factory.
In any case I'd prefer/trust a refractometer over a pinpoint salinity monitor.400 gallon reef, Bubble King 300, I~Spin, 2 x 10,000K BLV 400W, 2 x 20,000K Radium 400W, 2 x 6,400K Osram 400W, Schuran Jetstream 1, AquaController ProComment
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i use a refractometer and, sometimes, i confirm the result with a conductivy meter (Tunze).I did not notice (yet?) any illogical differences...so far so long!
or at least, less than between the floating crap and the refractometer.Comment
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So as long as you were to consistently calibrate the refractometer with calibration fluid do you all think refractometers are accurate?You're Norma Desmond you used to be big.
I am big it's the pictures that got small.
From the classic movie "Sunset Boulevard"Comment
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Yes and no. I don't think you'll be able to do an accurate calibration at home because the temperature compensation doesn't apply to calibrations.Originally posted by Brad Villeggiante
If it is lab calibrated in a controlled environment then yes, refractometers are extremely accurate.
For the most reliable home meassurements a quality hydrometer in conjuction with a conversion chart is probably your best bet.
This is a good one: http://www.lamotte.com/pages/aqua/hydrom.html
I do use a refractometer myself most of the time though, just because they are so damn convenient to use
400 gallon reef, Bubble King 300, I~Spin, 2 x 10,000K BLV 400W, 2 x 20,000K Radium 400W, 2 x 6,400K Osram 400W, Schuran Jetstream 1, AquaController ProComment
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i ordered the new JBJ digital salinity meter. I'll post comments after i start using it.“When something goes wrong we come up with an excuse. When enough time passes, that excuse becomes a reason. As more time goes by, that reason eventually becomes a philosophy.”Comment
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That looks to be very interesting, Armando, do you have more info on this? thnx. Bob"There might be something to this ZEOvit"Comment
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Yes, here is the Marine Depot page with information about it:
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...al.asp?CartId=
I think other vendors have in stock as well. It's as pricey as the Pinpoint but I didn't like the Pinpoint, it required constant calibration and probe cleaning.“When something goes wrong we come up with an excuse. When enough time passes, that excuse becomes a reason. As more time goes by, that reason eventually becomes a philosophy.”Comment
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Unfortunately, it's the same for all these conductivity / salinity monitors.Originally posted by Armando400 gallon reef, Bubble King 300, I~Spin, 2 x 10,000K BLV 400W, 2 x 20,000K Radium 400W, 2 x 6,400K Osram 400W, Schuran Jetstream 1, AquaController ProComment
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The JBJ TSS (Temperature, Salinity, Specific Gravity) WILL require calibration often. I have found it to be accurate after calibration. That being said if it sits for a while the salinity will differ. I have one myself and it seems to be right on with my refracto after calibration. Calibration with it can be a pain as it goes into "Hold" mode and does not give much time to turn the tiny screw on the back of the unit.Dustin
"Water is the driving force of all nature"
Leonardo da VinciComment
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