Salinty Issues need to borrow a refractometer.

[austinreefer]

Well my crappy sea test hydrometer died today sacrificed to the floor gods. So I picked up one of those deep six units from coralife to get me through till I can afford a refractometer.. After testing my salinity in my tank with the new unit it appeared to be low around 1.020 at 80F so my question is does some one in the Austin area have a
Refractometer that they wouldn’t mind testing my water with. I want to verify the accuracy of the unit or at least find out what the offset is.. I live very close to Jim N around the 1325 IH35 Area, will travel to you.. Sorry I missed the meeting I was looking forward to meeting you all but moms company has a box at Texas stadium and well Cowboys Redskins ya know.

[austinreefer]

I was there today they use the Coralife as well.

[Jimnorris]

I have one (refractometer) so lets put it to use!
Jim

[rwilliams26]

I'm up in Round Rock....just a little west of Jim's, in Stone Canyon. I'd be glad to swing by with our hydrometer this evening, if you're still interested in having someone come by. Call me on my cell phone at 560-0899 any time between now and 9:00 to give me directions, and I can come over. Will need directions.

Ron Williams :)

[austinreefer]

Thanks guys sent PM's

[MikeP]

If need be you can borrow mine - I live in NW austin near Braker and Metric.

[matt]

When I bought a decent floating hydrometer, i found that my swing arm one was about 2-3 full points off. I think the swing arm one read light; so that my S.G. was actually around 1.0275 instead of 1.025 like I thought. I posted something about it on reefcentral, and several people reported that many of the deep six swing arms ones read light. So, if yours is like that, it means your current S.G. is actually 1.022-1.023, which is still low for a reef tank.

[bozack]

Which is a good refractometer to buy and price?
Have been thinking about buying one but when I typed it in Ebay I got about 5 pages of different ones.

[austinreefer]

I am going to get with Jim N this weekend and look into it. I'll post the results on the board after I get them. I also read on reef central that the Seatest units read 2-3 points high. So go figure ?? I am slowly increasing my salinty to 1.022 I figure it's a good compromise for now. using the deep six, untill I see how it reads compared to a calibrated refractometer..I had a credit at Austin Aquariums that's why I bought it, figured it would get me thru till I get paid.I plan on buying this refractometer when I paid. http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PA&Product_Code =REFRACT-PA&Category_Code=Hydrometer.. and some salifert kits. Thanks for all the input this is why I love this hobbie.

[austinreefer]

Hmm, it's the same unit diyreef has and for less. Joshua are you using this ? good results ??

[austinreefer]

I know the felling I have been laid off now for 2 months. Finally got a IT job at Dell starting monday. Woohoo no more retail.. Enough of that I'll keep it to the subject..

[GeoB]

I have that refractometer. I've never checked it against another one to make sure it is reading accurately. I reads the same as my swing arm. I've assumed that means they are both accurate and I spent some unecessary money getting the refractometer, but they could both be wrong I guess. My disappointment with the refractometer is that the scale and numbers are really small and hard to read. I have 20/20, but I need to point it at a really bright light to see them. I've never looked through another, maybe they are all like that.

[texasranchers]

Austinreefer, did you know that you are looking at the same thing that Josh told you about? RHS10ATC for $43@DIYreef.com compared to Premium aquatics@$59.60? Just curious.

[austinreefer]

Thanks, rancher I did. It comes down to who ever has one when I get paid. Josh no laptops yet I'll ask my boss on monday if we can start a try before you buy program for all MAAST members.

[SaltyJim]

It might be a little too early to start making requests of a new manager. Have you already completed their training? What exactly are you going to do for Dell?

sorry for the hijack....it'll never happen again ;)

[austinreefer]

Man, I was kidding might be nice idea though ? Start Monday in tech support. Funny thing is a few years back I would of laughed at the idea, now I am thankfull for any computer job. Spent the last 3 years as a retail manager "hated every second of it" am I psyched ?? oh yea !! Sad part is I moved to Dallas after I was laid off in 2000 to take a sysadmin job only to watch the company go under 3 months later, after that it was retail or starve. Any way lots of trips up and down IH 35 glad to be back can't wait to start work so I can spend money on my tank... Cool thing about moving to dallas was I never would of started reef keeping utill I walked into Dallas North Aquarium, got inspired instantly then, I had to have it. Sure I had a saltwater fish only system 12 years ago which was a pita, now the hobby as evolved so much plus the wealth of knowldge out there makes it awesome and I am glad to be part of it.

[matt]

I'd consider one of the higher accuracy floating hydrometers instead of a refractometer if you're looking to save a few bucks. Mine is really close to the refractometer I checked it against, once I learned how to read the thing, and it cost about $20. I can't remember the brand, but it's pretty big; maybe about a foot long.

[SaltyJim]

hey austinreefer,

I have an extra SeaTest hydrometer if you just need to borrow one for a little while. I too have lost many to the concrete floor gods. Just PM me if you still need one.

Jim