I filled my new 120g reef tank project this weekend and stumbled across an interesting fact.
I picked up a new hydrometer at the LFS and after placing the rocks and adding the sand ect I pulled a sample and it was 1.038!!. I figured the thing needed to "season" so I let it sit full of saltwater for 24 hours and in the mean time I brought home the hydrometer from the office that I have used for the past 18 months and another new one from a different LFS- different brand. Guess what I have three different readings now 1.020, 1.026, 1.038. I borrowed a refractometer that was verified as calibrated and I got a 1.026 which I am saying is accurate.
SOOO
is the hydrometer a thing of the past, no longer accurate enough for this ever changing hobby? Let me hear your opinions or experiences. I for one will be throwing my hydrometer in the trash and will now rely on only refractometer readings. Livestock is too precious & expensive to be using a child's toy for such a critical parameter.
I picked up a new hydrometer at the LFS and after placing the rocks and adding the sand ect I pulled a sample and it was 1.038!!. I figured the thing needed to "season" so I let it sit full of saltwater for 24 hours and in the mean time I brought home the hydrometer from the office that I have used for the past 18 months and another new one from a different LFS- different brand. Guess what I have three different readings now 1.020, 1.026, 1.038. I borrowed a refractometer that was verified as calibrated and I got a 1.026 which I am saying is accurate.
SOOO
is the hydrometer a thing of the past, no longer accurate enough for this ever changing hobby? Let me hear your opinions or experiences. I for one will be throwing my hydrometer in the trash and will now rely on only refractometer readings. Livestock is too precious & expensive to be using a child's toy for such a critical parameter.