Milwaukee MA887 Salinity tester reading off!!!!!

[Fishingandreefing]

I sent an email to Milwaukee couple days ago and got no answer from them.

its kept reading 1.028/29 with the calibration fluid.

according to the video Milwaukee calibration video and it stated if the distilled fluid that came with it reads 1.000 it’s calibrated, BS.

 

[Willu]

Honestly, I think the calibration fluid is off, I had the same issue. I calibrate with 0 tds RO water that I make, and it reads 1.026 when I compared to all of the LFSs that I go to. Other people have had this complaint as well.
But overall, I really like it, I've had it for 3 years, still works just fine.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I sent an email to Milwaukee couple days ago and got no answer from them.

its kept reading 1.028/29 with the calibration fluid.

according to the video Milwaukee calibration video and it stated if the distilled fluid that came with it reads 1.000 it’s calibrated, BS.

What calibration fluid?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Your results are within their specifications for the device, if you tested a 35 ppt refractometer standard. It says it is good to +/- 2 ppt or +/- 0.002 sg.

So 35 ppt (sg = 1.0264) seawater reads as 33 to 37 ppt, or 1.0244 to 1.0284.

Milwaukee MA887 Digital Salinity Refractometer

The Milwaukee Instruments digital salinity refractometer is ideal for saltwater aquarium professionals and enthusiasts.

milwaukeeinstruments.com

ACCURACY: ±2 PSU | ±2 ppt | ±0.002 S.G. (20/20)

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Your results are within their specifications for the device, if you tested a 35 ppt refractometer standard. It says it is good to +/- 2 ppt or +/- 0.002 sg.

So 35 ppt (sg = 1.0264) seawater reads as 33 to 37 ppt, or 1.0244 to 1.0284.

Milwaukee MA887 Digital Salinity Refractometer

The Milwaukee Instruments digital salinity refractometer is ideal for saltwater aquarium professionals and enthusiasts.

milwaukeeinstruments.com

ACCURACY: ±2 PSU | ±2 ppt | ±0.002 S.G. (20/20)

Ah nope. I just checked it again. Cleaned it really good. Even tried the windex route that they suggested. Zeroed it with their distill fluid.

 

[Gtinnel]

The reference fluid that comes with the Milwaukee digital refractometer is awful. Randy has a recipe to make your own using table salt. It's incredibly easy and cheap to make.
I would calibrate with the distilled water they provide and then check it against the diy reference solution.

 

[fryman]

Possible the instrument is off but that's not a standard calibration fluid that I recognize. Possible you are using the wrong type of calibration fluid.

You can buy refractometer standards but It's pretty easy to make your own:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php

Make sure you follow the refractometer standard directions and *not* the conductivity or s.g. standards. There is a difference.

I calibrate mine using RO water and it reads 1ppt lower than a cal standard but it's very consistent so I just know the reading is 1ppt low. You cannot adjust this instrument other than by "zero"ing with RO, afaik.

 

[Gtinnel]

Possible the instrument is off but that's not a standard calibration fluid that I recognize. Possible you are using the wrong type of calibration fluid.

You can buy refractometer standards but It's pretty easy to make your own:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php

Make sure you follow the refractometer standard directions and *not* the conductivity or s.g. standards. There is a difference.

It is the reference solution that comes with the Milwaukee. I can't agree more that going the diy route is better.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ah nope. I just checked it again. Cleaned it really good. Even tried the windex route that they suggested. Zeroed it with their distill fluid.

Is that picture indicating that the same fluid that previously gave 1.028 is now giving 1.033?

After calibration, if you test the distilled water that comes with it, what does it read?

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Is that picture indicating that the same fluid that previously gave 1.028 is now giving 1.033?

After calibration, if you test the distilled water that comes with it, what does it read?

That’s from the validation fluid that came with the Milwaukee after zeroing it with the distill water. But sample water is at around 1.028 which 2-3 higher.

I just hate it there’s no option to adjust it like other instruments.

 

[fragit]

I’m almost out of the distilled water that came with mine. What can I use now to zero it out? Store bought distilled water? I can buy a gallon at my local market.

 

[Magik884]

I’m almost out of the distilled water that came with mine. What can I use now to zero it out? Store bought distilled water? I can buy a gallon at my local market.

I called them they said distilled water from grocery store/pharmacy.

 

[jx.reef]

I have the exact situation with my MA887. It always reads +0.02 higher even after calibrating with the solution provided. However, it has been consistent for nearly 2 years so it’s a non issue for me. It reads 1.028 when I know that’s 1.026 (confirmed with multiple ICPs).

 

[Gtinnel]

I’m almost out of the distilled water that came with mine. What can I use now to zero it out? Store bought distilled water? I can buy a gallon at my local market.

I've used rodi water and haven't seen any negative effects from using it.

 

[Acros]

I believe they instruct not to use the provided distilled water sample to calibrate. It is only for checking calibration, not to calibrate. I use RODI to calibrate. Don’t even bother checking the 1.026 solution as it is going to read off. I occasionally checks with water from my LFS and it reads 1.026 every time.

 

[Magik884]

Mine is off .002 as well when checking against their standard. Within spec so i just substract and confirm with hanna handheld.

 

[fragit]

I believe they instruct not to use the provided distilled water sample to calibrate. It is only for checking calibration, not to calibrate. I use RODI to calibrate. Don’t even bother checking the 1.026 solution as it is going to read off. I occasionally checks with water from my LFS and it reads 1.026 every time.

Why would they include a calibration fluid with the instrument and direct you to not use it?

 

[Gtinnel]

I believe they instruct not to use the provided distilled water sample to calibrate. It is only for checking calibration, not to calibrate. I use RODI to calibrate. Don’t even bother checking the 1.026 solution as it is going to read off. I occasionally checks with water from my LFS and it reads 1.026 every time.

They provide a reference solution that is not to be used for calibration. The distilled water is used for calibration.

 

[fragit]

My sump room is my basement and it is cool down there. Not like coat cool, but here in Maine I don’t go down often without long sleeves in the winter. When I check my salinity I always let the water sit for a while and let the temp equalize. Is that common procedure or should I do something else?

 

[Lavey29]

They provide a reference solution that is not to be used for calibration. The distilled water is used for calibration.

Correct, when I ran out, I used RODI for calibration and that put the unit off. It was saying 1.026 when in reality my water was 1.023. You need to use distilled water to calibrate it. When I did this then it matched their verification fluid at 1.026.