How and/or do you clear your plastic hydrometers?

[Anonymous]

How and/or do you clear your plastic hydrometers?

I am checking because I have to tap mine to get it to work. I rinse it it fresh water evrytime I am doen testing.

Am I better of getting a new one?
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Obesity Forum

 

[fishfarmer]

Give it a soak in white vinegar. I did this to mine and the new readings were higher than I thought.

 

[JohnD]

Rob,

I rinse mine with water, also. Fishfarmer makes a good point of rinsing with vinegar. I am going to have to try that.

 

[nin1one7295]

try to place it on its side when you are done using it so the needle is free floating and will not dry againt the other plastic. This way you wont have to tap it against something to get it to work. Place it on its skinny side with the needle pointing towards the ground. Hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous]

Usually I rinse with RO, although i've done rinsed it in vinegar a few times as well.

I usually take 3 or four readings and use a little mechanical agitation to shake loose the bubbles (I rap it on the counter). I use the lowest of the readings.

ty

 

[Gatortailale1]

I couldn't resist not tossing out a answer on this one.

Since salinity is a hugh factor in success of a reef tank; (IMO) I find it odd that there is a large portion of people out there who rely on those cheap plastic hydrometers. Every time you bang the hydrometer to free the needle, you are damaging the accracy of the unit. I was relying on a esha hydrometer (IMO I thought it was a decent mid-range product) until my local club had a testing demonstration during one of our meetings and I found out my hydrometer was reading .4 lower in SG than what a refractometer read.

Since that meeting, I purchased a refractometer from North coast marines http://www.northcoastmarines.com/ for $65 dollars + shipping. [Note you need to look under monthly special page to find the 65 price] Some peeps may think 65 is too much for a salinity testing device, but compared to the amount of money in livestock I have in my tank, that cost is nothing and is reasonable priced insurance IMO.

Just my $.000000000002

 

[Anonymous]

I also have switched to a refractometer (paid considerably more than $65 though

).

I have much more confidence in the readings than with the plasty floaty thing.