Refractometer calibration?

[rogergolf66]

does anyone have a way to calabrate a refractometer?

if you do and you are coming to the meeting can you bring it? I would be glad to pay what you need. I checked marine depot with no luck. I also check the LFS and no luck.

I just got some stuff from a LFS and my refractor is reading 1.021 on there water and 1.026 on mine. I hope the reading on my meter is right or my salinity is way to high.

The item I got were coral so there salinity should not have been low. I know that most stores keep there fish tanks low but hope not coral tanks.

Roger

[hexedagain]

What does it read if you test RO water?

[SoundsFishy2me2]

Like hexedagain says, use some rodi water and adjust to 0.

[drosen]

One thing however is your refractometer temperature compensating or not? Also I assume its not a BIX so only thing to do for accurate calibration is to change the temperature to the base setting of your model - most are calibrated to 68 deg F. So your Ro water should be at 68 F. Can do that by placing in the fridge for a few minutes.

[drosen]

Here is probably the best resource I have found on Refractometers, types, science, etc.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php

enjoy!

[bigt0706]

use the calibration fluid from pinpoint for there monitor way more acurate and it usally only 4-8 dollars shipped to your door

[rogergolf66]

thanks

I have the RO in the fridge cooling now.

Roger

[mflamb]

RO water is not the BEST way to calibrate the refractometer.
Like Tony (bigt0706) said, get some calibration fluid from Pinpoint and calibrate it. You want it to be accurate at 1.026, not 1.000
About a year ago, I bought a case of it and spread it around, someone may still have some.

[poknsnok]

on my refractometer's manual it says to use distilled water an calidrate to 1.00.. i recently checked it and it was fine.. but you do want it to be accurate at 1.026

[poknsnok]

after further review I will be getting some calibration fluid for my refractometer

[rogergolf66]

Originally posted by poknsnok
after further review I will be getting some calibration fluid for my refractometer

where do you get it? I checked Marine depot and the LFS already.

Roger

[poknsnok]

premium aquatics has it

[mflamb]

You can order it direct from American Marine Inc., makers of Pinpoint products. It's $5.00 per bottle plus shipping.

[rogergolf66]

Originally posted by mflamb
You can order it direct from American Marine Inc., makers of Pinpoint products. It's $5.00 per bottle plus shipping.

thanks

till then should I do the ro calibration. I fell asleep after I put the RO water in the fridge

[drosen]

You need to do both to check your calibration for shift and slope errors. BTW - when you use the pinpont solution only - it calibrates to 35 ppt.

[mflamb]

Originally posted by drosen
BTW - when you use the pinpont solution only - it calibrates to 35 ppt.

35 ppt equals 1.025 @ 76 degrees fahrenheit.

[bigt0706]

thank u mike for chimming in on this one i find when calibrating with ro u get a mixed reading it also depends on the quality of the refractometer