Refractometers: What they Do and How to Use Them In Your Aquarium
Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith
What does a refractometer do?
Refractometer - $50.00
Used to measure salinity. Don't use a swing arm Hydrometer, they are known for being inaccurate.
Refractometer
Device for measuring the salinity of water. More accurate and easy to use in the field than a hydrometer. Uses light refraction through a lens. The light refracts to a greater or lesser degree in different salinities.
Refractometers are considered by the vast majority of aquarists to be superior (in terms of accuracy and precision) to the common plastic hydrometers.
Refractometer
Thermometer
Test Kits (BASIC: pH, Ammonia, NitrITE, NitrATE. RECOMMENDED: kH/Alkalinity, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphate. ADVANCED: Iodine, Strontium, Boron, Silicate, Copper) ...
Got my refractometer today. Discovered that my salinity was quite high, around 1.032. Lowered it to about 1.027 over the course of about 15 minutes (probably too quickly), but the anthelia definately looks happier now.
Salinity, the amount of salts dissolved in water, can be measured directly with a refractometer, which evaluates the refraction of light through a tiny water sample. You can read the per mil value directly off the display.
Saltwater Hydrometer or even better a refractometer
Aquarium filter (not absolutely necessary if running with adequate amounts of live rock, but nice to have if you need to use a mechanical filter or activated carbon, etc.) ...
Few people are willing to do the "extra work" (primarily in preparation of the water for partials) and keep the "extra equipment" (marine mix, hydrometers and/or refractometers) required for brackish water fish.
Get a hydrometer - floating type, or swing-arm - doesn't really matter, most of them aren't very accurate anyway!
If they're off by a small amount, it's generally ok. If your LFS has a refractometer, you can ask him to calibrate it for you, ...
hydrometer
Inexpensive device that measures the density of water. Used by aquarists to determine salinity, but lacks the accuracy of a refractometer.
In the aquarium brackish water is maintained by using marine salt (not aquarium salt which is a tonic salt), and a hydrometer or refractometer to measure salt levels (the specific gravity, or S.G.).
However, the high end of the range should be used under normal circumstances as it may combat some parasitic infections. Specific gravity can be measured in a tank using commercial test kits or a refractometer.
I find the most accurate is a refractometer and they are not too expensive (approx. $100)
- Don't use only one powerful heater in your aquarium.
 See also: Aquarium, Fish, Water, Salt, Marine
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