Refractometer Calibration...?

kellenr

kellenr

Member
I just purchased a new refractometer and wanted to know about calibrating it. I'm sure I need to calibrate this before using it. It does have Automatic Temperature Correction but I need to know how to calibrate it. I know you can buy a saline calibration solution but is there anything else I can use to calibrate it? Can I use something like distilled water?
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Calibration is easy enough. Use Ro water. Put it on the lens and adjust it to 0. Bring it to your LFS to double check.
 
gmann1139

gmann1139

Active Member
+1 to Kellen.
At your LFS, they should test their water, then have you test it. Just make sure you wash yours off well so you don't transfer any 'things' in their tank back into yours.
Actually, let me rephrase that:
Never put anything that's touched your test equipment back into the tank. Especially if you have multiple tanks, that will prevent one tank from contaminating another. It seems minor, but everyone's heard stories of equipment from one tank contaminating another.
 
prime311

prime311

Active Member
It could be off just measuring RO, like .0025 off or something. Thats why they suggest using the calibration fluid. IMO that little off is just not a big deal tho.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
All most all of the refractometers today are calibrated at 68 f. this is what I do. I put a cup of distilled water in the refrigerator for a while when I take it out I put an instant read thermometer in it when the temp gets up to 68f I put a few drops on the widow of the meter, read the results it should be 0 . if not adjust to 0 and you are good to go
 
crazyboutreefs

crazyboutreefs

New Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2663921
All most all of the refractometers today are calibrated at 68 f. this is what I do. I put a cup of distilled water in the refrigerator for a while when I take it out I put an instant read thermometer in it when the temp gets up to 68f I put a few drops on the widow of the meter, read the results it should be 0 . if not adjust to 0 and you are good to go

I thought the refractometer had to be 68 along with the water to get an accurate calibration.
 
molly05

molly05

Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2663921
All most all of the refractometers today are calibrated at 68 f. this is what I do. I put a cup of distilled water in the refrigerator for a while when I take it out I put an instant read thermometer in it when the temp gets up to 68f I put a few drops on the widow of the meter, read the results it should be 0 . if not adjust to 0 and you are good to go
Do you think your thermometer is really accurate? I don't think so.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Considering I am using a industrial grade digital thermometer I think so But I will certainly defer to your expertise in the reliability of such an instrument
 
camfish

camfish

Active Member
I had the same question a while back and took florida joes advice...I am glad I did. By getting the temp to 68 it did make a difference, not enough to be a HUGE deal, but it was well worth the time to do it. Thanks Joe!
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by camfish
http:///forum/post/2664384
I had the same question a while back and took florida joes advice...I am glad I did. By getting the temp to 68 it did make a difference, not enough to be a HUGE deal, but it was well worth the time to do it. Thanks Joe!
Cam the big deal comes into play when we use our refractometer to maintain our salinity at hypo levels for treating ick; in our DT a ballpark reading is usually good enough. The temp of the instrument we are using really does not play into the equation unless of course it is of the extreme. Thus the temp with which the product used to calibrate in this case pure water is the deciding factor.
and you are most welcome my friend
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2664417
Could be, mine came pre-calibrated and has temperature compensation. I have never had issues with it.
Gee maybe because it stayed in calibration and exactly what temp did they calibrate it at duh i think 68 f so if you had to recalibrate what temp would you use bring it on sexy lady
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2664431
Gee maybe because it stayed in calibration and exactly what temp did they calibrate it at duh i think 68 f so if you had to recalibrate what temp would you use bring it on sexy lady
Calm down there sparky
. I have had it for over a year and a half. I have never re-calibrated it.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2664437
Calm down there sparky
. I have had it for over a year and a half. I have never re-calibrated it.
Well I am certainly glade you have had it for a year and a half but have you checked its accuracy
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2664440
Well I am certainly glade you have had it for a year and a half but have you checked its accuracy
Are you questioning my aquatic abilities? Silly man

Yep, but that was like six months ago. It was still as accurate as the day I bought it.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2664447
Are you questioning my aquatic abilities? Silly man

Yep, but that was like six months ago. It was still as accurate as the day I bought it.
I for one would never question any of your abilities aquatic or other wise The question here is not the reliability of a refractometer its the steps to take to recalibrate it if necessary but you are so cute when you get mad
 
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