What does everyone use to check salinity?

I used to use a Vertex refractometer but just recently splurged and bought the Milwaukee digital refractometer.

I really like it. Easy to use. Just put water on the cup and push a button. Wish I would have listened to Adam at Aquatic Environments a few years ago and spent the extra $ on it instead of the Vertex. O well. Live and learn.

What does everyone use on your tanks?

 

I'm using a refractometer I got off of Amazon. I calibrate it using RODI, but I've never confirmed its accuracy with a separate tool.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-MA8...0697586&sr=8-2&keywords=digital+refractometer

You can get them down to around 90 sometimes too. Easily the best and easiest tool to use.

 

I'm using an amazon-purchased refractometer. I made a 35 ppt standard solution with our 100-microgram balance in the lab and it was spot-on out of the box. I've since had to slightly recalibrate it, but I've been very pleased with it. If anyone in the Iowa City area needs some 35ppt calibration water, drop me a line. The prices online are stupid.

 

I use a hydrometer mainly. I have a refractometer but it always reads .002 higher than the hydrometer. And yes i have recalibrated it useing the 35ppt solution.

 

Hydrometer, usually buy a new one once a year.

 

Anyone using hydrometer should read this write up!!
Great info
Why hydrometers should be illegal

 

And you trust the hydrometer because?

 

I use the Milwaukee. I double check it though with my 2 calibrated refractometers every couple months though just to make sure it is also calibrating appropriately.

 

I'm using the refractometer I got off dfs. (Their cheaper one they offer) I will be going back to a sybon when I get a new one here shortly again. My last sybon lasted a very long time and remained extremely accurate!

 

@AndrewAcropora i use it because everything in my tank looks happy and my parameters are on the dot. So why go fixin' (yes thats a word) what aint broke? thats just my philosophy.

 

@MadManMadrid I'm pretty sure the comments about the hydrometers are due to their reliability. They may seem ok now but they won't be for long. Trust us...I'm sure we've all been there...and I'm sure some stories are worse than others. Do yourself a favor and get a refractometer!

 

I had 2 hydrometer quite a few years ago and both read different. So I would take it to aquatic environment and they used one to and it was different than both of mine.

When I got into corals I went with a refractometer. I tell you what the Milwaukee is by far money well spent.

 

Does anyone here use salinity probes? I figured more people would have used them than the zero that's spoken so far. Is there a reason no one uses them? If i picked up a aquacontroller a salinity probe would be my next purchase...

 

Just curious what the thoughts are towards the floating hydrometers instead of the plastic w/needle pointer units referenced in the above linked article?