I recently bought an Aqua Medic Marin Control Digital specific gravity meter. Having used it over the last two months whilst setting up a new tank (I am new to Marines) I have had some upsetting news I'd like to share. Within days of stocking my new tank with crabs and snails (all parameters testing perfectly) I lost 95% of my stock. A conversation with a local supplier highlighted a problem with Aqua Medics digital SG meter. He tested over 6 of these modules and all gave false readings. He has since removed them from his shelves. He tested my water and although the meter consistantly read 34 ppt it was actually over 45 ppt! I'm now in the process of bringing my tank back to where it should be and initiating liason with Aqua Medic for financial re-imbersement. I'm just glad I didn't try to stock with anything more expensive from the start. If anyone else has had similar experiences please reply to this post.
Digital Spec Grav Meter - BEWARE!
- Thread starter schwh01
- Start date
Sorry to hear that. 
It is why we should never rely on one single measurement. Some instruments are prone to malfunction, especially if you never do any calibration or reality check on it.
I feel that you probably won't be able to get any reimbursement from the company other than maybe a full refund of the meter.
Welcome to RDO, BTW!
It is why we should never rely on one single measurement. Some instruments are prone to malfunction, especially if you never do any calibration or reality check on it.
I feel that you probably won't be able to get any reimbursement from the company other than maybe a full refund of the meter.
Welcome to RDO, BTW!
I'm new to the hobby so probably should bow to your superior experience... but I'm not sure I really sign up to the notion that we shouln't rely on any single instrument. How many people have two seperate and different test kits for every thing?
If failure of any one product is to be accepted as the norm, then companies like Aqua Medic shouldn't promote their products as simple to use and accurate. They should in stead say somthing like
"Easy to use but may give readings which bear no relevance to actual parameter values. We recomend you use in conjunction with another more accurate product which can be trusted".
If failure of any one product is to be accepted as the norm, then companies like Aqua Medic shouldn't promote their products as simple to use and accurate. They should in stead say somthing like
"Easy to use but may give readings which bear no relevance to actual parameter values. We recomend you use in conjunction with another more accurate product which can be trusted".
Well, some of us just make more mistakes than others. There are more trash in the waste basket, you know... :wink:
Seriously, I don't know how good is the Aqua Medic. If they do the documentation right, one of the first thing they tell you in the manuel is to calibrate it. Unfortunately, a lot of hobby-grade instruments are just not good when it comes to direction/instruction. Some are written in poor Engrish, for example, while others don't even come with any in the first place. However, they never seem to fail to enclose a Limitation of Warrenty that says everything is your fault. Go figures.
Seriously, I don't know how good is the Aqua Medic. If they do the documentation right, one of the first thing they tell you in the manuel is to calibrate it. Unfortunately, a lot of hobby-grade instruments are just not good when it comes to direction/instruction. Some are written in poor Engrish, for example, while others don't even come with any in the first place. However, they never seem to fail to enclose a Limitation of Warrenty that says everything is your fault. Go figures.
seven ephors":2bsmkonr said:
If you sell a product you should be responsible/liable for the intended purpose of the product. Part of the problem with this industry is there isn't a standard for so many of the products we use. It would be so nice to have a Consumer Reports magazine for testing the dry goods we use. And speaking of CEOs, The CEO of Exxon/Moble made 190,000.00 dollars a DAY last year. Give me a stone tool and I'll make good use of it on him. Maybe you can feel sorry for someone like that. I just don't feel sorry for the guy at all. :x
Now, don't get violent there.
In lab, for example, people don't have to deal it these hobby instrument problems. The lab-grade conductivity meter comes with pre-calibrated sensor, and have two NIST-traceable calibration fluids with certificate. Now, the meter needs to be calibrated before each use if it was not done so in past 24 hours. The fluids are not cheap, and it is time consuming to do the calibration. And the meter is almost a thousand dollar.
I don't know how much is the Marin Control Digital meter, but in many cases, you get what you pay for.
In lab, for example, people don't have to deal it these hobby instrument problems. The lab-grade conductivity meter comes with pre-calibrated sensor, and have two NIST-traceable calibration fluids with certificate. Now, the meter needs to be calibrated before each use if it was not done so in past 24 hours. The fluids are not cheap, and it is time consuming to do the calibration. And the meter is almost a thousand dollar.
I don't know how much is the Marin Control Digital meter, but in many cases, you get what you pay for.
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