Refractometer vs Hydrometer

I must admit I am very surprised at how accurate my coralife hydrometer has been given the bad rep to swing arm style hydrometers. Been using it since setup early march and cleaning it regularly with vinegar but decided to my a refractometer from brs. They measure exactly the same.

Still happy with my purchase if for nothing else than the fact that I trust the refractometer much more than the swing arm. Always was taking water samples to a lfs to doublecheck to make sure it wasnt out of whack. Ease of use is really nice to no need to worry about air bubbles and vineger.

 

How did you calibrate it? You might just be lucky, mine was off by 10 ppt.

 

Calibrate which the refractometer or hydrometer?

 

The refractometer needs to be calibrated with a 36ppt reference solution. RODI water leads to inaccurate readings.

 

my swingarm is accurate too
I use the swingarm for quick measurements in the mixing bucket but use refractometer for final measurements and display water.

Originally I was using rodi water to calibrate it was def off when I finally got the solution.

Another thing, if any folks are reading and still looking to purchase a refractometer, try and find one that doesn't start at zero and go well beyond the typical salt water range, from what I've read, they are much easier to read!

 

I always have and always will use the floating glass hydrometer. It can never jam or foul like swing-arms, and never needs to be calibrated. Refractometers may be nice, but technology cannot correct human errors.

Just my two cents.