Lab Grade Test meter
 

Intro
Been using a refractometer for quite sometime and found that being a precision optical instrument, it has its own flaws like requiring periodic calibration to preserve the accuracy and traceability of the instrument. But it is a pain in the neck performing such calibration and I am sure many owners of this animal will agree with me especially those wearing glasses.

Because of these setbacks, my friends and I were discussing the hassle of using the refractometer and how our world will change if there's an alternative to this. All we want is a simple tool to check the salt level for our tanks as and when we like without any hassles.

Most important, it has to be affordable and idiot proof! :o

Don't have to wait too long as my lobang gave me a tinkle that he has found the ideal tool which meets my requirements during one of his business trips. Like an excited child looking for a new toy, collected it for evaluation and has been more than a month now playing with this new toy.

Here is my review of the ideal tool for all serious saltwater hobbyist!


First Looks
The tool in question is an OEMed version of a reputable brand which was displayed during the AquaRama event and are happy that they didn't sell it to me then.

I give this product 9 out of 10 for such an impressive packing and must admit that it is the best I have ever experienced in terms of packaging for a testing equipment as compared to the likes of other vendors.

This is actually a 3-in-1 meter which measures Temperature (Celcius), Salinity (ppt) and Specific Gravity (1.024) in digital format and there is no need to use a conversion chart or estimates visually on a hydrometer dial. It accurately converts the values for you!

It has an auto-shut off feature within 1 minute which is good for an absent-minded reefer like me and a hold button for locking the measurement on the readout while reading from a sump or from the tank.

Other than this, it also has a temperature auto-correction feature which waits for about 10 seconds for the temperature to stabilize before reading the appropriate Salinity or SG measurements from the Digital LCD display.

The packaging also includes a 40g bottle of 35ppt NaCl Calibration Fluid and 6 pieces of LR44 Toshiba watch battery resulting in 3 extra batteries. The meter only uses 3 batteries ... what a great product!


Working It
Taking measurements with this product has given me nothing but enjoyment with the press of a button and I am able to have an instant reading for temperature, salinity and specific gravity of the tank. No matter how many times that I dipped the meter in the sump or tank, it always registered the same readings.

You may also laugh at it when I said that even my 8 year daughter including my maid can do it but it can't be said of for the refractometer.! :rolleyes:

It also provides easy, fast and accurate readings every time and automatically adjusts for water temperature condition unlike the traditional hydrometers or refractometers which do not compensate for the water temperature.

Overall, I am very pleased with the product so much so that it's time to dispose of the refractometer and smash the Coralife hydrometer with a hammer. :D


Last Say
IMHO, this professional product is so much better than the refractometer and are very impressed with the build quality and even more impressed with the accuracy when compared with the inexpensive Hydrometers.

Also having 4 reef tanks so this comes in real handy and certainly is a worthwhile investment for any saltwater aquarium irrespective whether you're having a specialized reef or mixed reef tank.

Once again, I would like to reiterate that I am only a hobbyist and are writing this review in my personal capacity to share my views to fellow reefers and do not have any invested interest in any commercial entities representing products (dry food, equipment, etc) relating to aquarium fish keeping irrespective whether in freshwater, saltwater or planted tank.

Here is a pic of the tool with the 3 spares LR44 batteries and the calibration solution:

Another view of it and here are the specs:

Measurement target: Seawater and/or Synthetic Seawater
Measurement Method: Electric Conductivity Measurement System
Salinity Measurement Range: 5ppt-40pptwith accuracy of 2 ppt variance
Temperature Measurement Range: 0 - 70 deg Celcius with accuracy of 1 deg variance
Specific Gravity: Range 1.000 - 1.032 with accuracy of 0.002 S.G. variance
Power Supply: LR44 or LR1154 Button Battery x 3 pcs
Battery Life: About 3 months based on 3 times use per day
Size: 16.4 (D) x 32 (H) x 255 (W) mm
Weight: Approximately 57g (including battery button)

There is also a safety Water Line mark for indicating that the tester can be dipped above this line.

The pic below shows the waterproof sensors which the surface is plated with gold protecting the sensors inside.

A closeup view of the 35 ppt NaCl calibration solution and the other pic shows the size of the tester in relationship to a Nokia 6260 handphone.

The pics below shows the 3 different readings from their respective functions ie temperature, SG and salinity.

Hydrometers are nice and inexpensive, but they are be inaccurate as the tester shows a different readings than the hydrometer from the same container of water.

A helper playing with the tester in a newly setup of using "mother nature" sea water tank. :D

Bro , where u get such a good lobang?Is it reasonable pricing?cos 1 mth back I was quoted for $225 for a similar meter like yrs , :mad: :mad: :mad: I won't mind paying if the price is good , this is indeed a breakthrough equipment !!

wow...another great product :p ...I have been using coralife deepsix for years. it is one of the better hydrometer around but it is not too accurate. I hv been trying to look around for this stuff...

I have few question below:

1) Where can I buy it??
2) why that reefer wear "red"-rubberband? :p
3) If my Q1 is not available, can you please help ..maybe other reefer may be interested and you can start a Bulk-Order for it.. :p

It looks good , how about the price?

No idea leh...Nim75sg is missing...(or is he probably negotiating a good deal for us? :rolleyes: )...If Bonjour2 quotation is correct then I suppose this piece should be less than $160 for Bulk order... :confused: ..Ken, pls provide price leh.

Bro Nim75sg's product reviews are always very informative & impartial and are sure that many of us enjoyed reading them.

Would like to include this tester as part of my equipment and hope he can start a bulk order. ;)

Waiting for the good news and lobang.Don,t forgot me

Regards

This hobby is getting more and more high tech...

Cheers

Seem like he very busy nowdays.:p

What to do as Q3 is always the hardest and has to do alot of juggling acts to make the numbers look good. ;)

Just spoken to my friend and found out that the pricing is very reasonable.

Bulk order for this tester coming soon ...

Whoa so the review is timing and time to smash your Hydrometer!

Bro wlchew ... will start the bulk order soon to gauge the response as final details need to iron out with my lobang.

Beware of that "person" with the red wristband ;)

Ya..provided the price is good :p
...I can't wait to get my electronic tester ASAP. PRICE,PLEASE! :mad:

Wow.. great review of a wonderful product..

Can't wait for the bulk order liaoz (if I have the $$).. :o

Bulk order for this lab grade tester started liao in the Marine Bargain Counter.

Check it out .. ;)

Wah lau i given up on Q3 liao , waiting to start new on Q4.:p

I am lucky...my office has his 2nd best Revenue Quarter in 3 years.looking forward to that. I meant year-end see...got good news bo. ;)

I think this year the high-flyer will be from Oil & Gas now $1.81 per litre for UL92,V-Power is 2.02. Time to bulk purchase gasoline liao..got UL89 or not..no money liao.

Oops.I sense of RED-CARD from mod soon.this is a Review session!

Can move this portion of it to "Aroreefer - S11-Kopitiam" thread?? :rolleyes:

what person with a red wristband?????

anyway, look forward to a bulk purchase....btw, any loban for a lux meter???? don't see many people check the indensity of the lights......

lobang for lux meter? bro , $70 bucks can get one from Sim lim liao, alt, pm me. :p

Looks cool and high tech but accuracy wise definately lost out to refractometer.

This so called lab-grade tester converts salinity from conductivty which is less accurate.

Not all electronic tester are accurate but I do agree that it is easier to use compared to a refractometer for glass wearer, however you could always take off your glass and refocus properly. Aiming the refractometer at bright light source will solve the problem.

All floating arm hydrometer are calibrated to a certain temperature so if the water being measure is different temp than what the hydrometer is calibrated for then you will need to do correction for the reading. This will have impact if you compare reading directly.

Nevertheless this is a good alternative from the hydrometer but you just need to aware of the accuracy of +/-2ppt.

Wei Leong ... That was my initial impression of this digital lab grade tester being not as accurate as the refractometer.

But I was wrong, it was as accurate or rather on par with the refractometer getting the same readings other than it ease of use over the refractometer which is a plus for me.

For the benefit of reefers, here is the background operation behind a "digital" and "analog" salinity tester adopted with the courtesy of JBJlighting.Com


How does the Digi-Lab Grade Tester compare to a refractometer?

1. The Digi-Lab TSS – is in the family of conductivity meters, which are recognized as the most accurate, precise, and reliable measurement methods used in the scientific industry. Ease of use, automatic conversions, and multi-parameter testing in a single tester are the primary benefits.

a. How it Works: Salt exists as sodium and chlorine ions that are positively and negatively charged moving freely in water. Once an electrical field is present, positively charged ions move toward a negatively charged electrode, and negatively charge ions move towards a positively charged electrode to obtain a reading.

b. Application: Simply dip the probe into the aquarium and press a button to receive an instant display of temperature (F), salinity (ppt), and temperature compensated specific gravity (eg.1.024)

2. Refractometer – Measures the salt level by a Refractive Index.
a. How it Works: A refractometer works on the principle that the speed of light varies depending on the density of the medium that it travels through. Hence, the less dense the medium, the faster light travels. When light passes from a medium of one density to a medium of another density at an angle, the rays of light are refracted and displayed onto a scale on the refractometer.

b. Application: Add a few drops of water onto a prism located on top of the refractometer. Water must cover the entire prism and must be free of air bubbles to obtain accurate results. Turn dial until scale is focused to obtain a reading in the direction of a light source.

But then sea water consists of alot more than sodium and chloride ions. Very significant amount of Mg/Ca also exists.

bro, we r talking abt sodium and chloride ions in particular with respect to the parameters concerned , and as far as the intended measurements this units are concerned.
Meaningless to bring in the discussions of CA/MG since the tester phase other ions as far as its purpose is concerned. ( this world is full of assumptions) .
Yr qns is tantamount to asking someone who use a refractometer , " but then light itself between sunlight and indoor light contains different spectrum. "
Perhaps it might be fruitful if you post that qns to JBJ Lighting and revert in this forum their answer to you, guess they have the expertise to answer such a profound qns.
Off topic but r u pursuing some courses in Sociology or social science? Cos at least one of my frd who does his Masters in Socio from US question me like how you does here till all jaw drop :p
A very interesting member in Aro who keep us thinking .Cheers ;)

Hi there,
does this product come with warrenty in local lfs?

Thanks:)

what is the brand?

this is a Korean product under the brand name is in Korean ..:confused: