Calibrating Swing Arm Hydrometer

D

DFW

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Through another one of Holmes-Farley's wonderful articles, I have discovered that one can very simply make their own calibration solution, and can then calibrate their swing arm hydrometer. As long as it is kept clean - very easy - and is calibrated at the same temperature as the tank water, he seems to think it reasonably accurate to use. Anyone tried this?

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php



David
 
Some say to just offset your hydrometer by the difference between what it read, and what the lfs read(refractometer)...I say get a refractometer. I have never tried to make my own calibration fluid simply because I have no known good reference to measure it against.

Cheers,
 
Really I don't want to force you to go out and buy one but I will say it's a very good Investment toward the health of your tank to have a refractometer. That way you can accurately check the water in you tank and also your water change water. Stability is key to growth of your tank
 
I totally agree, but will make do briefly with this arrangement - far better than what I have been doing! I look forward to having all of the latest gadgets - I've always loved gadgets!
 
@DFW wrote:
I totally agree said:
I would just take it to lfs and let them mark it based on there refractometer. Alot faster and less worrying about making any solution, probably more accurate. Then when you save up some funds buy one. There the only way to go and you dont have to worry about sticky swing arms and bubbles giving you wrong readings. Also, if there so easy to calibrate like "Farley says", then why doesnt the manufacture do that and make them accurate?
Click to expand...
 
I cannot really speak accurately for Mr. Holmes-Farley, and I hope that I have not inaccurately portrayed his thoughts on this!

The LFS found my hydrometer to be about .003 low in it's reading compared to their JBJ refractometer. That gives me a starting point until I can obtain a good quality device.

Thanks for all the help!
 
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