Refractometer Question

[Kev The Fish Keeper]

Hey everyone, I brought a ATC Refractometer it says it was calibrated when shipped. But it doest say what it was calibrated too 0 or 1.026 and it didn't come with solution. Wondering if I should wait and get some solution. Any thoughts?

 

[RobertTheNurse]

From what mine said. Use distilled water and calibrate to 0

 

[dbowman5]

mine was off when i got it. checked ok on zero but was reading 1.026 when it was 1.023. get calibration fluid would be my suggestion

 

[BigHildy53]

My guess would be that it's calibrated to 0. Personally, I like calibrating it to 1.026. BRS has a solution.

 

[Pau Hana Reefer]

I have an ATC refractometer and also recommend getting a solution to calibrate.

 

[Seadoc]

I calibrate mine every time I use it with a 35ppt reference solution. Several times I find that it is measuring the calibration solution either low or high. Also, make sure you clean the glass and cover after use, salt deposits will mix with your fluid and give you a higher reading.

 

[fcmatt]

pro tip. Buy 2 or 3 diff manufacturer solutions to calibrate with. Then set it in the middle of all 3 assuming they are all the same salinty

 

[Kev The Fish Keeper]

Thanks guys, I wish I could find some solution locally, but I think I will have to order online..

 

[fcmatt]

if it is fish only right now calibrate with 0 tds water and away you go until you get cal solutions. If you have a full blown reef tank and use something else.. and things r ok.. wait.

 

[Kev The Fish Keeper]

@fcmatt. No fish or coral mixing 1st batch of water for tank

 

[fcmatt]

@fcmatt. No fish or coral mixing 1st batch of water for tank

totally go for it. just use it out of the box and don't bother with calibration with 0 tds water.
order the cal fluids and calibrate later. adjust the tank over the next few weeks.

 

[Shawn_epicurious]

It’s really is easy to calibrate... use RODI water, turn the screw until it is just above zero, the turn the screw the other way until it barely reaches zero.... every time I’ve ever done it, it always reads a calibration fluid perfectly. So... I quite buying the calibration fluids...

 

[redfishbluefish]

First off, with any and all instruments you are using, you ideally want to use calibration solutions that are close to what you are measuring. To translate, for a refractometer, DON'T USE RO/DI WATER. You want to use a calibration solution that is close to what you are measuring.....1.026 solution. Now, I'll admit, ten bucks for a small bottle of saltwater is outrageous....so make your own for pennies. Here's a DIY calibration solution you can make, and have enough to share with everyone in your club:

Reef Aquarium Salinity: Homemade Calibration Standards

 

[Kev The Fish Keeper]

First off, with any and all instruments you are using, you ideally want to use calibration solutions that are close to what you are measuring. To translate, for a refractometer, DON'T USE RO/DI WATER. You want to use a calibration solution that is close to what you are measuring.....1.026 solution. Now, I'll admit, ten bucks for a small bottle of saltwater is outrageous....so make your own for pennies. Here's a DIY calibration solution you can make, and have enough to share with everyone in your club:

Reef Aquarium Salinity: Homemade Calibration Standards

Thank for the info its greatly appreciated.

 

[fcmatt]

I don't know about you guys but i would probably end up spending more then an hour making a cal solution plus a few dollars at least on whatever materials/proper storage bottle/etc...

Versus spending 6 bucks a year on a pre-made solution.

I will pick my battles elsewhere... awesome info tho. Read it years ago and came to the same conclusion.