Cheaper Hydrometers for newbies! Well everyone that wants.

[Ironwave]

In South Africa Hydrometers from Brew-shops cost about 18.5 usd.
Maybe its not That expensive compared to some other brewing equipment, but for that price, I can buy the next beer kit

So I decided to see where else I could find them, and to my surprise,
Hydrometers can be found at your local pet-shop. Used in aquariums for sea water fish.
I found an Brand new one With thermometer built inside for ...wait for it, wait for it ...

5 usd.

Its very similar, only its marked from 1000 to 1.060.
im not entirely sure, but I think it falls in all beer ranges.
And the thermometer in it is a plus

If you want, ill load a pic of it.

I dropped it in some water with my "real" hydrometer, and the readings are the same.

Hope you can get them in the states for a similar price.
Enjoy! :rockin:

 

[NuclearRich]

1.060 is limiting your estimation of a high grav brew. Any plain or light beer will work, I'm sure

 

[weirdboy]

Yeah about 1/3 of my brews are over 1.060 OG.

 

[Whippy]

Hey, to save almost R100, if it suits your needs then that is GREAT! Over here the hydrometers are not that expensive AT ALL from the home brew shops so I guess we are lucky. I can get one designed for beer/wines from down the road for about what you paid for your fishy hydrometer.

Thanks for posting about this, though; it may help others who have to pay so much for supplies.