Help with salinity and hydrometer use

What's the "rep" of the Instant Ocean hydrometers? That's what I've got.

After reading these, I really feel I should get a refractometer. Been planning on it...just never actually got it..

 

Go Refract and you never go back.

 

Marine Depot had a special on $39.99 on refractometers.

 

Seano I got mine from Ebay $30 shipped. Oh yeah my hydrometer was an Instant Ocean but that was years ago. You won't regret spending the money for the piece of mind.

 

As soon as I can, I'll get one.

 

i think the problem with Hydrometers isn't that they are made inaccurately. I do believe they are accurate when they are new, but I think people neglect to take care of them. After using it you must clean it or the water evaporates and leaves behind the salt which hinders the swing arm and gives innaccurate results. After each reading I make sure to clean it with RO water. Rinse it very well. Once every two or three weeks (when I change my filters) I make sure to soak it in white vinegar in the attempt to wash away any remaining salt. The tool you are using to check your SG levels cannot be neglected as this is a very important aspect to a healthy tank.

 

I'm definitely guilty of that..