reeftankdude
Well-Known Member
Do I need to calibrate before each use. Seems like every time I check calibration it is off from the zero area. I am using RO water to calibrate. The refractormeter in the image is the one that I have. Thanks all
Refractormeter Question
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redfishbluefish
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Don't use water to calibrate. Use a commercial calibration solution or you can make your own using regular table salt. Dr. Randy Holmes Farley wrote an article on how to make this solution.
And no, you shouldn't have to calibrate every time you use it.
And no, you shouldn't have to calibrate every time you use it.
Fin
Professional Procrastinator
You are supposed to calibrate the refractometer to a value closer to what you want the salinity to be in your system, not zero. That is why the calibration fluid that you normally see is 35ppt.
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reeftankdude
Well-Known Member
Will follow your advice. Thought instructions were for me to bring the blue area down to zero. I have an image of the instructions. Everyone's thoughts and thanks.
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Willhersh34
Community Member
Assuming you're using this for salinity...............I say dump the refratometer and get something like thisDo I need to calibrate before each use. Seems like every time I check calibration it is off from the zero area. I am using RO water to calibrate. The refractormeter in the image is the one that I have. Thanks all
Others can of course tell me stop being dumb, they're not accurate but FWIW this was like the best $75 I spent. Push the button, dip into tank/bucket/etc. get salinity when it beeps. Even if it's slightly off, still waaaaay better then letting my 20/200 vision try figuring out a refractometer. Then again, I'm in IT so the digital solution will ALWAYS win. The pen testers do have to be calibrated but that's about once every 50 or so checks and after a while I just don't check it that often. I check my salt mix way more so that when I do my water changes the salinity is stable.
Just a thought.
ColoredRock
Well-Known Member
I resemble that age and capability.. that being said.. multiple sources don't hurt. I still use a refractometer.. but I have someone else double check!
Willhersh34
Community Member
Funny, I use the digital tester on my tanks but then the refratometer for, uhhhhh, wine making. Yeah, my wife and I have that hobby too. A real renaissance man I suppose. Of course the refractometer being off there usually means faster............happy times? Yeah, that. Lol.
Fin
Professional Procrastinator
Well, I can't explain that. I have always just used a stock calibration solution of 35ppt. I did see a video once that recommends a two-step process, similar to calibrating a pH probe. It suggested that you zero out the refractometer with distilled water, but then take a stock solution of 35ppt and readjust to that value. I have never tried that though.
flyfisher2
Valuable Member
I have three stock solutions from different manufacturers to calibrate Hydrometers. All three offer different readings. I just got a Glass Hydrometer from Tropic Marin to confirm that my Milwaukee MA887 Refractometer was accurate. As it turns out it was off one point. I recalibrated with distilled water as per instructions and it's spot on.
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reeftankdude
Well-Known Member
Do calibrate down to zero as I was instructed to by the manufacturer? Thanks
flyfisher2
Valuable Member
I verified with the Tropic Marin after doing it and the readings were accurate. I’m not sure that all will be the same but for me it worked. The calibration fluids didn’t work for me. Three different brands all three calibrated differently.
One actually matched the glass hydrometer reading
One actually matched the glass hydrometer reading
monkeyCmonkeyDo
7500 Club Member
Atc or ats is not a thing on refractometers? I do calibrate mine everytime. I use calibration fluid. Seawater cal fluid. Aqua craft is the brand.
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flyfisher2
Valuable Member
Have you ever verified that your Calibration fluid is in fact accurate are or you just going under the assumption that it is?
