[Slowly but surely I seem to be acquiring all the toys. My latest is a ATC (auto temp compensating) Refractometer. Travis got one too, as far as I know.
It is a very simple device to use. Looks a little like a telescope, about 6" long. You put 2 droplets of tank water on the lens, and look through the scope. It doesn't need batteries - all you do is point it at a light source. It displays your salinity precisely. I decided to test it against my two other testers:
Deep Six swing arm: 1.024
Glass Hydrometer: 1.025
Refractometer: 1.026
So it turns out that the rumors I heard were true, that the swing arm testers are inaccurate. My glass hydromter was closer, but not perfect. Plus there is a good chance I'd break that glass one some day, as they are pretty fragile.
I was able to get mine (as was Travis) for $40 shipped in a group purchase over on Reef Central. They usually run about double that price.]
It is a very simple device to use. Looks a little like a telescope, about 6" long. You put 2 droplets of tank water on the lens, and look through the scope. It doesn't need batteries - all you do is point it at a light source. It displays your salinity precisely. I decided to test it against my two other testers:
Deep Six swing arm: 1.024
Glass Hydrometer: 1.025
Refractometer: 1.026
So it turns out that the rumors I heard were true, that the swing arm testers are inaccurate. My glass hydromter was closer, but not perfect. Plus there is a good chance I'd break that glass one some day, as they are pretty fragile.
I was able to get mine (as was Travis) for $40 shipped in a group purchase over on Reef Central. They usually run about double that price.]
:]