Newcomer from AZ

M

M&CReef

New Member
EDGRAY said:
Just a thing that wasnt mentioned to you Michelle the HYDROMETER dont tend to be accurate so i should say get a REFRACTOMETER or ask your LFS to test your SG with a refractometer so you know were really is your SG cause i depended on the Hydro for a while and always at around .024 and when i got y Refractometer SG was at .020 so dont trust them!

EDDY
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Ed,

I really appreciate all the info.
I guess I'll have to invest in a refractometer. What makes them so much better than the hydrometer?

Michelle
 
TimSchmidt

TimSchmidt

New Member
A refractometer is nice but can be pricey for a quality one. There is a floating hydrometer that is actually more acurate than the refractometer and very cheap. There is one at Drs. Foster and Smith. As far as good algae and bad algae. It in itself isn't "bad" just normally undesirable. Most good algaes are macro algae (big algae) like calpura or chaeto (spaghetti). I guess Calpura has a chance of going sexual and dumping a lot of undesirables into the water column. Chaetomorpha (spelling may be quite off) tends to be a good choice for refugiums to help absorb excess stuff in the water column. Do a search on the macro algae or take a peek in the planted tanks section to read up on benifits and downsides. HTH.
 
M

M&CReef

New Member
TimSchmidt said:
A refractometer is nice but can be pricey for a quality one. There is a floating hydrometer that is actually more acurate than the refractometer and very cheap. There is one at Drs. Foster and Smith. As far as good algae and bad algae. It in itself isn't "bad" just normally undesirable. Most good algaes are macro algae (big algae) like calpura or chaeto (spaghetti). I guess Calpura has a chance of going sexual and dumping a lot of undesirables into the water column. Chaetomorpha (spelling may be quite off) tends to be a good choice for refugiums to help absorb excess stuff in the water column. Do a search on the macro algae or take a peek in the planted tanks section to read up on benifits and downsides. HTH.
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Tim,
This is the first I'm hearing about the floating hydrometer. If the plastic one's aren't that accurate, I guess I don't understand why my LFS didn't suggest either the floating hydro or the refracto. When we asked what we needed to get started they just gave us the plastic hydro. Is it because they wanted us to get started as cheaply as possible? You know in the long run I would've bought the more expensive to be more accurate. Sorry. Shouldn't vent to you just a little frustrated!!

Michelle :hwall:
 
TimSchmidt

TimSchmidt

New Member
Well, if used right and cleaned often the plastic hydros work...kinda. I mean before all these cool refractometers where used, I guess the swing arm was king. It's cheap and even if the exact number is off, you can use it to keep your SG constant. Which if the SG is close to acurrate I'm hazard to say consitancy is more important that being closer to 1.025... just my 2 cents. The LFS can sometimes leave a bit of info out (not intentionaly, but on the other hand some people are just down right underhanded). So I say ask your LFS, ask us, and then ask some local reefers and make your own mind up. Generally though I trust the people here because of all the combined experience here. Most people will even show you pictures of what they are talking about to back up what they are saying. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now :lol:
 
M

M&CReef

New Member
TimSchmidt said:
Well, if used right and cleaned often the plastic hydros work...kinda. I mean before all these cool refractometers where used, I guess the swing arm was king. It's cheap and even if the exact number is off, you can use it to keep your SG constant. Which if the SG is close to acurrate I'm hazard to say consitancy is more important that being closer to 1.025... just my 2 cents. The LFS can sometimes leave a bit of info out (not intentionaly, but on the other hand some people are just down right underhanded). So I say ask your LFS, ask us, and then ask some local reefers and make your own mind up. Generally though I trust the people here because of all the combined experience here. Most people will even show you pictures of what they are talking about to back up what they are saying. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now :lol:
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Tim,

I guess being a newbie means that you live and learn.

I'm so glad I found this site so I can ask questions and get suggestions or answers from more than one person. You know see what the general consensus is prior to making an educated decision. Thanks for all of the help!!

Michelle :thanks
 
EDGRAY

EDGRAY

New Member
I have the $69 and works like a charm i love it! but the one sounds like excellent one cause i have to go out or use tank light to see result but bouth are nice!

That will be good investment for your tank!

ED

P.S: Check at EBAY for them too somethimes you can find some good deals....
 
M

M&CReef

New Member
Erik & Ed,

Thanks for the info. I have a question. What is really the difference between the $69 one and the more expensive one's?
Besides price that is?

Michelle
 
TimSchmidt

TimSchmidt

New Member
Accuracy and quality of build if I'm not mistaken. They use a prism and mirrors to break light apart blah blah etc etc.. here's a link.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... cleid=3458

If you want ulitmate accuracy go for the floating hydrometer thingy. Convience and darn good accuracy goes to the refractometer hands down though. ATC (auto temperature control) is a good thing to have on your refractometer.
 
M

M&CReef

New Member
TimSchmidt said:
Accuracy and quality of build if I'm not mistaken. They use a prism and mirrors to break light apart blah blah etc etc.. here's a link.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... cleid=3458

If you want ulitmate accuracy go for the floating hydrometer thingy. Convience and darn good accuracy goes to the refractometer hands down though. ATC (auto temperature control) is a good thing to have on your refractometer.
Click to expand...
Thanks for all of the help.
I guess I still have a lot to learn, but it seems I've come to the right place!!

:maitre Michelle
 
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