Features:

  • Quick Results (Faster Than Your Homebrew Hydrometer)
  • Easy and simple to use. More Accurate Than Your Homebrew Hydrometer
  • Automatic Temperature Compensating Refractometer
  • 5 years warranty!
  • Ranges: 0-100 ppt of Salinity and 1.000 to 1.070 Specific Gravity
If you need a salinity refractometer, this is THE one to get.

For such an inexpensive refractometer, I couldn't be more impressed if I tried. The ATC works perfectly and it's a cinch to calibrate. Mine was calibrated perfectly right out of the box. If you give it proper care, it'll give you years of excellent service. I highly recommend this refractometer based on performance at the price point. You're not going to find better for less money.

Worth the extra money

A marine aquarium is a substantial investment for which you're likely to spend $1000 or more for even a modest starter tank. Maintaining proper salinity is the most important element of a healthy aquarium, so this is not the place to try to save $10 or $20 by getting the cheapest model. Refractometers take some calibration and a little practice to use effectively, but once you're used to it, it's awesome. You get a precise reading of the actual salinity, not an estimate. That takes the guesswork out of keeping the tank in balance.

As advertised

The refractometer came quickly, packaged well and with a handy storage bag for taking it places. It came with a dropper, mini screw driver for calibration and instructions. There isn't much to it, tests the water quickly and easily. I was concerned when I received it because there was some scuff marks on the plastic lever that presses down on to the water when testing, but it doesn't appear to affect performance as it is below the viewable area.

MUCH better than hydrometer for salt water acquarium

I had a floating hydrometer for my reef tank, but got concerned that it might not be accurate. I bought an Instant Ocean hydrometer with floating arm. Waste of money. I finally ended up getting this refractometer (and a separate purchase of Salinity Calibration Fluid - from AMERICAN MARINE INC to check the calibration). The hydrometer is really simple to use, comes with an eyedropper to collect water and a zipper case. It's perfectly accurate based on the known calibration fluid. The scale is really easy to see and understand, and there is an eyepiece adjust that gives you a good focus even if you need glasses to read. I can check the water in 5 seconds without squinting. Wiht the hydrometer i had to read the scale of something floating in the current in my tank or try to kock the air bubbles off the arm of the hopeless Instant Ocean hydrometer. I strongly recommend a refractometer vs. a hydrometer for making sure you have the right saltwater mix. Wish I bought this years ago. Will never go back.

So much easier than a hydrometer

When I'm testing my aquarium water, I want immediate, clear results. I don't want to deal with temperature correction or ... I actually just stopped paying attention to what I was writing when I mentioned temperature correction. Just give me one simple, accurate reading to go by, and I'm happy. This tool does that. It's fast, it's tidy, and it's accurate. Yes, it's three times more expensive than a standard swing-arm hydrometer, but it's still very reasonably priced, and the savings in time and hassle more than compensate for the extra expense.

Gives a clear, accurate measure of your salinity!

If you own a saltwater aquarium, this is an essential product to make sure your salinity levels are where they should be at all times. Since my tanks have been established for some time now, I tend to check salinity when doing water changes or once a month otherwise. Some folks choose the meters you keep in the aquarium water itself, but from experience and reading the experience of others, this is the way to go. It might take an extra minute to get a reading, but you are always certain you'll get an accurate measure of what's going on in your tank. When held up to light, you get a clear reading of where you are at and can make adjustments as needed before retesting. If you are unsure about this brand or make/model, let me just assure you that it does what it's supposed to do and you will be happy with your purchase!

Works great and easy!!

I am new to saltwater aquariums and tried the floating salinity reader at first and just didn't feel I was getting a correct reading. When I saw the price offered on this one, I decided to buy and I love it. I was able to calibrate it without any problems and after you get the focus adjusted, it is just very simple. Don't spend your money on calibration solution. It says in the instructions to use distilled water. I bought a gallon jug for $1 !! The case is great to keep it in and comes with a little dropper and a tool for the calibration process. All very easy and I feel as though I am getting an accurate salinity reading.

Easy to Use - Accurate & Consistent

This refractometer works extremely well and is easy to use. It's very easy to calibrate and mind has held calibration very well. It may be a bit more than a water-based salinity measuring tool, but it's extremely consistent and very quick to get an accurate reading. I had used a refractometer for wine making to measure the sugar levels and my salinity refractometer works just as well.

For real Saltwater and Beer enthusiast

Great product I used for beer making and my saltwater aquarium. If your serious about any of this to hobbies this is a must to have tool, known the gravity from beer you will know the alcohol content of your beer, knowing the salinity in your saltwater tank is really important for the health of your corals. I was surprise that the product was really cheap compare to the other ones. The unit is really easy to calibrate and used. This refractometer came with two scales and Automatic Temperature Compensation.

Must have for ANY saltwater/reef keeper

Spent many years fighting with the hydrometer needles, tapping air bubbles off and getting different readings every time. This device is a godsend and so much easier and cleaner to use. I wear glasses (I'm near sighted) and find it easier to take them off to see the readings. I just dont like holding the tube against my lenses, though its readable even if I do. Find a good light source to make reading easier. Calibrate with distilled water and test every so often. I found mine was calibrated out of the box. I'll never go back to hydrometers!

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