Replicating salty seawater at home in your aquarium isn’t really a tough job, but it is very tricky. Too salty or not salty enough, and whoosh….. goes your entire reef and sea life!
Which is why, having the best salinity refractometer is one of the first accessories you should look into when setting up a saltwater aquarium.
And one have been told that the Ade Advanced Optics Salinity Refractometer is one of the best devices around.
But here’s the thing about word of the mouth: they aren’t a reliable source.
Which is why we are on a mission to dissect and analyze the full worthiness and potential of the Ade Advanced Optics Dual Salinity Refractometer for you. You deserve to know what you spend your money on. So let’s get this review on the road!
The Ade Advanced Optics Dual Scale Salinity Refractometer Review
Construction and Design
One of the first things you need to know about the Ade Advanced Optics Refractometer is that it is a hand held and analog device. This makes it one of the more affordable kinds and is great for beginners and low-budgeters.
The refractometer measures 2x2x7 inches in dimensions and a little above 6 ounces weight. It has a sturdy body made from aircraft aluminum and a very compact design, making it great on the go.
Performance
Alright. Now for the most important part. How well does it do its job?
Well, to begin with the Ade Advanced Optics Dual Scale Salinity Refractometer is a dual range device meaning you get double the information.
It ranges 0 to 100 PPT of salinity and 1.000 to 1.070 Specific Gravity of S.G. And to furthermore add to the accuracy on this thing, the Ade Advanced Optics Salinity Refractometer offers you ATC or Automatic Temperature Compensation.
One quick fun fact is that it states is accurate within ±0.1 % which is pretty impressive, we think, but only if it is true.
We have had many users complain to us about getting inaccurate salinity readings. Although this is something that happens all the time, we mean c’mon, but it does happen quite frequently. Hmm.…something to consider here, right?
Ease of use
Next and finally comes the aspect comfort. Being an analog and handheld device, the Ade Advanced Optics Dual Scale Refractometer is already a very simple and easy to use device.
But what thought made this so particularly comprehensive and user friendly is that it states that it requires calibration when you are receiving the device or after long periods of inactivity.
But that’s not the case… .remotely. As per our assessment, we have found that that the device need constant babying around. Annoying to say the least!
And to get it to do its job, all you have to do take in a wee bit of your aquarium water using the pipette it comes with, squeeze it out on the daylight plate and peak right through the exit lens. Easy as a pie!
What’s in the box?
Every purchase of the Ade Advanced Optics Refractometer includes:
- A case
- A calibration screwdriver, and
- A plastic pipette
Pretty neat, right? That’s not all.
Warranty
To put the cherry on top of this sweet deal, Ade Advanced is offering a 2-year no nonsense, no drama warranty on this thing. Sure makes us feel more confident about spending our money on this thing!
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to use
- Comes with handy accessories
- Comes with warranty
Cons:
- Needs constant calibration
- Inaccurate
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Does the Ade Advanced Optics Dual Scale Salinity Refractometer come with calibration liquid?
Does the temperature of my aquarium water matter? Will it manipulate the results?
Is the eyepiece adjustable? I almost always have trouble viewing?
How to Use a Refractometer
Well, it’s lot easier to see than read how to use a refractometer. So, let’s check out a video on that!
Final words – Is It The Best Salinity Refractometer
Alright, guys, this is pretty much it for our review of the Ade Advanced Optics Dual Scale Salinity Refractometer.
And, well, what can we say? Is it the best refractometer for fish keepers?
We have pretty mixed feeling about this one. It is a good product, no doubt there. But it seems to be faulty in all the wrong places!
Sure, it is easy to use, cheap and well, darn convenient. But what good is a salinity refractometer if it won’t read salinity levels accurately?! See, the issue here?
Either way, we still think it is an okay device to start with if you are a beginner or are in short of cash. It all depends on your quality expectations at the end of the day. Not the refractometer for serious, no-nonsense fish keepers though. If you need something more reliable with better quality then check out out review on Milwaukee Digital Refractometer.
And with that, it’s wrap. Thank you for staying with us and we will see you next time. Take care!
