Hydrometer Not Working - Aquarium Advice

blackhorse · 06-05-2007, 10:05 PM

My hydrometer give a different reading every time. Is it possible that its defective? Will having the wrong specific gravity at this point be a big deal? I haven't begun to cycle the tank yet. Water has been in there for just two days so far. I have 40 lbs. of live rock.

**lando** · 06-05-2007, 10:35 PM

Welcome to AquariumAdvice.com!!!

Hydrometers are notorious for being unreliable. If you insist on using one, make sure you rinse it with FW after each use or better yet, rinse it with Ro/DI water and let it sit filled over night before dumping it. Then, take it to the LFS and have it lested against a refractometer so you know just how accurate it really is. When using it, fill it to the line and then make sure you tap it against a level surface several times to remove any air bubbles as these can effect the reading.

For best results, I recommend you invest in a refractometer so you get much more accurate readings. You can find them for pretty inexpensive on several online sites. It is a tool you should seriously consider.

cmor1701d · 06-05-2007, 11:51 PM

Take Lando's advice. Get a refractometer.

blackhorse · 06-05-2007, 11:54 PM

Thanks to both of you! I ordered a refractometer. I'm taking this one step at a time.

**roka64** · 06-06-2007, 11:22 AM

On a side note, when I first got my hydrometer (I later tossed it for a refracto) and was mixing water out of the tap...cold water...I was not getting any type of ready, so the temp of the water matters....

**melosu58** · 06-06-2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackhorse

Thanks to both of you! I ordered a refractometer. I'm taking this one step at a time.

Good move

Steven Pro · 06-08-2007, 07:57 AM

Actually, some hydrometers are very accurate (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume...mpressions.htm) and some refractometers are alleged to be consistently wrong because they are designed to measure salt water (a mixture of NaCl and water) not seawater.

**melosu58** · 06-08-2007, 08:14 AM

I understand what you are saying and your article was great but my experience with hydrometers was not very good and I`ll stick to my refractometer.

06-05-2007, 10:05 PM	#1
blackhorse Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 48	Hydrometer Not Working My hydrometer give a different reading every time. Is it possible that its defective? Will having the wrong specific gravity at this point be a big deal? I haven't begun to cycle the tank yet. Water has been in there for just two days so far. I have 40 lbs. of live rock.

06-05-2007, 10:35 PM	#2
lando Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Savage, MN Posts: 7,669 Images: 46	Welcome to AquariumAdvice.com!!! Hydrometers are notorious for being unreliable. If you insist on using one, make sure you rinse it with FW after each use or better yet, rinse it with Ro/DI water and let it sit filled over night before dumping it. Then, take it to the LFS and have it lested against a refractometer so you know just how accurate it really is. When using it, fill it to the line and then make sure you tap it against a level surface several times to remove any air bubbles as these can effect the reading. For best results, I recommend you invest in a refractometer so you get much more accurate readings. You can find them for pretty inexpensive on several online sites. It is a tool you should seriously consider. __________________ Some people are like slinkies...they serve no real purpose yet can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs! Have a great day! Brian

06-05-2007, 11:51 PM	#3
cmor1701d Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Belle Mead, NJ Posts: 3,927 Images: 43	Take Lando's advice. Get a refractometer. __________________ Click here to Vote for Aquarium Advice on AquaRank . Vote EVERY day! Click Here for a list of commonly used acronyms and abbreviations. ____ Cmor

06-08-2007, 07:57 AM	#7
Steven Pro Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 186	Actually, some hydrometers are very accurate (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume...mpressions.htm) and some refractometers are alleged to be consistently wrong because they are designed to measure salt water (a mixture of NaCl and water) not seawater. __________________ http://www.macna2007.com

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06-05-2007, 11:54 PM	#4
blackhorse Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 48	Thanks to both of you! I ordered a refractometer. I'm taking this one step at a time.

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