/ Register

  1. Do you have an old account but can't access it?


    See Accessing your GIRS Account or Contact Us - We are here to help!

Refractometer Calibration

Discussion in 'Des Moines & Ames Region' started by Gered, Feb 28, 2010.

  1. Feb 28, 2010 #1
    Gered

    Gered Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,970
    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0
    So Joe(flyingmoray) asked if I could bring my refract today and check his water against his refractometer reading. We got two different readings. I have been using American Marine Inc pinpoint salinity calibration fluid and just re checked it this past week. Then when we got to Midwest Frags he had him check his and it was actually right and mine was wrong. He was using the same fluid as I was. I just re-checked after calibrating down there and my fluid is still off. What do I believe? I am little ticked if my calibration fluid is off...I mean come on its calibration fluid!! Anyone else in Des Moines area I can check mine against?
     
  2. Feb 28, 2010 #2
    Matt

    Matt Inactive User

    867
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    You try my calibration fluid?
     
  3. Feb 28, 2010 #3
    Gered

    Gered Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,970
    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0
    It is higher. I just tried RO and it was 1.005. Anyone? Suggestions?
     
  4. Feb 28, 2010 #4
    adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper GIRS Member

    2,329
    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    When I bought my refractometer it said to calibrate with RO water. RO water has no salt in it, so just calibrate it to 0.00...
     
  5. Feb 28, 2010 #5
    TRichardson79

    TRichardson79

    53
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    If you don't put the cap on tight enough on the calibration fluid it can evaporate causing the reading to be off. Just a possibility, other than that you may have had a bad batch.
     
  6. Mar 1, 2010 #6
    Rustin

    Rustin Inactive User GIRS Member

    509
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Ive got a pinpoint salinity monitor and a refractometer. I also have some calibration fluid I can bring them to the food meeting and we can compare them.
     
  7. Mar 1, 2010 #7
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,412
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    i love my salinity monitor so far minus having to convert things from a chart but still really nice
     
  8. Mar 1, 2010 #8
    Bela

    Bela Inactive User

    2,210
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Did you try calibrating someone else's with your fluid or using someone else's fluid to calibrate yours? That wasn't clear from your post, at least to me. Perhaps your fluid is off, as others have said. Hey, better the fluid be off than your refrac be broken, no? Any chance of contamination?
     
  9. Mar 1, 2010 #9
    Gered

    Gered Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,970
    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0
    I purchased fluid with mine 2 months ago and have always used that. Then we got down to Midwest Frags and he used his calibration fluid and it was way off so we recalibrated according to his fluid. Then when I got home I checked it with my cal. fluid and it was 1.031. RO tested it at 1.005
     
  10. Mar 1, 2010 #10
    snowman82

    snowman82 Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,412
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    i say your refracto is screwed, did you test it on beer at any point in time /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif haha
     
  11. Mar 1, 2010 #11
    Gered

    Gered Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,970
    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0
    Actually it might be right because everything is just 5 points off. It is showing RO at 1.005 when it should be 1.000 and the fluid is showing 1.031 when it should be 1.026. Does that make sense?
     
  12. Mar 1, 2010 #12
    Matt

    Matt Inactive User

    867
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    That would make sense. Due to the refractometer being .05 high on the calibration fluid, then you would obvoiusly be .05 higher on your RO water. I would just guess something happened and your fluid is off by .05. I'm going to go home to check mine to see if its off .05, since we used your fluid, if its the fluid mine should be off by point .05.
     
  13. Mar 2, 2010 #13
    FlyingMoray Minburn, IA

    FlyingMoray Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,029
    Minburn, IA
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Mine is screwed up too. He calibrated mine in KC as well and I checked it with ro water and it now reads less than 1.000 I bought a hydrometer to test with and that has been reading 1.020. After I calibrated it using ro water, mine now reads 1.020 and before i did that it read 1.023. Hey Austin, can you meet me sometime this week really quick so I can check my water using your salinity monitor?
     
  14. Mar 3, 2010 #14
    ninjazx777 Des Moines, IA

    ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

    2,353
    Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 1 / -0
    correct me if i am wrong but shouldn't ro water read 0.00
     
  15. Mar 3, 2010 #15
    REEFer Madness

    REEFer Madness Inactive User

    867
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Yes, pure water should read at 0.00.
     
  16. Mar 3, 2010 #16
    Gered

    Gered Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,970
    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0
    RO/DI water should read 1.000 on a refractometer.
     
  17. Mar 3, 2010 #17
    REEFer Madness

    REEFer Madness Inactive User

    867
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Oops, yeah 1.00. not even Hydrogen is 0.00. It was some weight.
     
  18. Mar 3, 2010 #18
    Gered

    Gered Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,970
    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0
    I figured that is what you guys meant but just wanted to make sure no one got confused. On a side note I believe my refractometer and fluid was fine. I went to Austins yesterday and checked my fluid, his fluid and a new bottle he never opened and they were all the same on my refractometer and his refractometer.
     
  19. Mar 4, 2010 #19
    ninjazx777 Des Moines, IA

    ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

    2,353
    Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 1 / -0
    yeah sorry brain fart there it is 1.00 not 0.00
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...