3 Calibration Solutions: 3 Different Results

[HolisticBear]

I own two bottles of the Aqua Craft calibration solution that I purchased from BRS. BRS now carries their own brand (apparently rebranded Brightwells) and Brightwells. I order both.

Using the BRS refractometer, they read quite different:

Both AquaCraft: 35ppt
Brightwell: 33ppt
BRS Brand: 30ppt

That's a pretty large range and I'm surprised that BRS and Brightwell differ since both apparently are from Brightwell. The BRS has an expiration date 1 year later.

I shook all bottles, all bottles stored at same temperatures, tried multiple times, cleaned between tests.

This is more a FYI for anyone ordering new calibration solution to be careful switching brands. Have both on-hand at the same time. Stability is more important than accurate, and there are no shortage of threads on R2R where people's actual salinity is different than what they expected.

I still find the results disappointing. It's so hard to get clean data in this hobby.

 

[GoVols]

Thanks.... , Micheal

(lol)
My reef is at the mercy... ;Wacky, of the Two Little Fishes .35 natural seawater solution

 

[laverda]

That is not good at all!

 

[Bricky]

Did you try warming the calibration solution to your tank temp then check it/ calibrate?

 

[siggy]

I still find the results disappointing. It's so hard to get clean data in this hobby.

I couldn't agree more! I am amazed that at this point in the hobby, with all the electronics, gadgets & gizmos this industry has such a discrepancy with SALT WATER TESTING. I have 4 cal. solutions, 2 refractometers and a milwaukee and they all give differing results.....This was from yesterday while doing my WC.

Ok on another tread I expressed some frustrations about salinity, refactometers cal solutions ect. and discovering it was low 1.020sg and lost some prized corals. cought some heat and moved on.
I am in the middle of a wc and I have a 5 point difference between a brand new @BRS refractometer w/standard is reading 1.025 mixedSW /tank 1.020, Milwaukee mixed 1.024 and tank 1.028
I had this struggle between my 3 devices and four cal solutions and just put it all aside and went with the Milwaukee, the corals have not been happy so I am now going with the brs/equipt.
IN this day and age salt water equipment should not be questioned

EDIT I see I have the Milwakee results backwards, I will be sending it back for calibration

 

[DSC reef]

Thanks for sharing this. I've always stuck with aquacraft.

 

[Zack@BRS Verified Sponsor]

@HolisticBear Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I'd actually very much like to get these bottles back here for a look, and I'm also going to bring this to the attention of the folks at Brightwell. That is quite surprising, as they batch test every set to verify accuracy, and something like this should not occur. It's one of the reasons we decided to offer this solution, as we have seen batch discrepancies with other solutions in the past. I couldn't agree more that stability is key, but it shouldn't be too much to ask for a salinity standard to be consistently accurate.

 

[HolisticBear]

@HolisticBear Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I'd actually very much like to get these bottles back here for a look.

No problem, I'd be happy to mail them back. I received them last Friday, so they are fresh.

 

[siggy]

@HolisticBear Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I'd actually very much like to get these bottles back here for a look, and I'm also going to bring this to the attention of the folks at Brightwells. That is quite surprising, as they batch test every set to verify accuracy, and something like this should not occur. It's one of the reasons we decided to offer this solution, as we have seen batch discrepancies with other solutions in the past. I could agree more that stability is key, but it shouldn't be too much to ask for a salinity standard to be consistently accurate.

Never thought My new refract. w/cal. standard could be the culprit.

 

[Tommy's Reef]

Hmmm, I bought the pinpoint and brightwell last week from brs. And I have aquacraft. They all test right at 35 ppt. We had to buy them around the same time. Are u cleaning and drying your slide good before using a different product.

 

[HolisticBear]

As a follow-up to this, BRS got back to me and will probably update this thread.

• Brightwells is good
  
• BRS brand had a bad batch (confirmed reading low)
  
• My AquaCraft could read higher for two reasons
  • It's 6+ months old (bottle 1/2 - 3/4 full). Entirely possible I haven't been shaking it enough
  • Aquacraft reads high
  • It reads between 1-2 higher than Brightwells, definitely higher, but saying it reads a full 2 higher was a bit much.

So the general answer is the BRS branded solution is bad and in BRS fashion, they handled it and fixed it like pros

 

[Zack@BRS Verified Sponsor]

Thanks @HolisticBear!

To clarify, we found a single batch (Lot no EXP041822) which was testing about 2ppt low for us, so these have been pulled. Other lots are testing spot on, so it appears to have been a single batch that made it through somehow. That said if anyone has product from this batch, please feel free to reach out to our customer service so we can take care of that. The Brightwell branded product was all testing on for me when I did a spot check.

 

[GoVols]

@HolisticBear Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I'd actually very much like to get these bottles back here for a look, and I'm also going to bring this to the attention of the folks at Brightwell. That is quite surprising, as they batch test every set to verify accuracy, and something like this should not occur. It's one of the reasons we decided to offer this solution, as we have seen batch discrepancies with other solutions in the past. I couldn't agree more that stability is key, but it shouldn't be too much to ask for a salinity standard to be consistently accurate.

Tell, Jack Kent

Hello!!

From GoVols

 

[Addy1]

I bought a bottle of the bad BRS lot. Out of haste I purchased the Brightwell product. Does the Brightwell solution appear to be accurate?

 

[HolisticBear]

I bought a bottle of the bad BRS lot. Out of haste I purchased the Brightwell product. Does the Brightwell solution appear to be accurate?

Yes, Brightwells tests true.

 

[Skep18]

@HolisticBear Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I'd actually very much like to get these bottles back here for a look, and I'm also going to bring this to the attention of the folks at Brightwell. That is quite surprising, as they batch test every set to verify accuracy, and something like this should not occur. It's one of the reasons we decided to offer this solution, as we have seen batch discrepancies with other solutions in the past. I couldn't agree more that stability is key, but it shouldn't be too much to ask for a salinity standard to be consistently accurate.

Thanks @HolisticBear!

To clarify, we found a single batch (Lot no EXP041822) which was testing about 2ppt low for us, so these have been pulled. Other lots are testing spot on, so it appears to have been a single batch that made it through somehow. That said if anyone has product from this batch, please feel free to reach out to our customer service so we can take care of that. The Brightwell branded product was all testing on for me when I did a spot check.

Wow. 100% top tier vendor right here. BRS never ceases to amaze me with their outstanding customer service and technical support. I've been in a lot of hobbies and have done business with a lot of hobby-oriented vendors. Never have I encountered one as outstanding as BRS.

+1 internet points for BRS.

 

[Addy1]

Thanks

 

[siggy]

Both AquaCraft: 35ppt
Brightwell: 33ppt
BRS Brand: 30ppt

To clarify, we found a single batch (Lot no EXP041822) which was testing about 2ppt low for us, so these have been pulled. Other lots are testing spot on, so it appears to have been a single batch that made it through somehow. That said if anyone has product from this batch, please feel free to reach out to our customer service so we can take care of that. The Brightwell branded product was all testing on for me when I did a spot check

Am I correct in seeing a 5 pt. difference?
Ok time to put this to bed and no more guessing who's running 2pt high or low.

This is my new calibration SOLUTION

H-B Instrument B61801-4800 DURAC 1.000/1.250 Specific Gravity Hydrometer for Liquids Heavier Than Water

ADD TO COMPARE

H-B Instrument – Mfr # B61801-4800 – Item # EW-08298-50
Write a Review

• NIST Traceable
• Temperature of Standardization 60°F/60°F
• Metal Ballast
• Individually Serialized

Thick Glass Graduated Measuring Cylinder Set 5ml 10ml 50ml 100ml with Two Brushes Three Pipettes

 

[HolisticBear]

Am I correct in seeing a 5 pt. difference?

Yes.

• One solution was bad, leaving a 1-2pt difference between AquaCraft + Brightwell
• Two explanations for difference
  • AquaCraft was 6+ months old and ~1/3 used. Potentially not shaking it enough caused the drift over many uses
    
  • The original AquaCraft was 1-2pt different than Brightwell.

@tommyhere had Bright/Aquacraft/Pinpoint all match, so while there is a slight difference between my two, it's good enough and I've moved on. I've already spent a bunch of time repeating the tests. I'll mail a Triton report this morning and get their salinity.

Between AquaForest, GHL, and Aqamai ... I'm already a bit burnt out with bug reports