Calibrating refractometer??

[Dowtish]

I have been reading numerous threads debating whether to use RO/DI or a calibration fluid. I bought mine from BRS and the insructions that came with the refractometer said to calibrate to zero with RO/DI. But BRS had put a sticker on the case saying no to do that, and included a fluid. There argument is to calibrate it to a range to where you will actually be using it. and ZERO ain't it!


Refractometer Calibration: the Myth and Risks of using RO/DI Water - Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog
Watch the video at about 1:20 YouTube - ‪Saltwater refractometer demo - BRS TV‬‏

Anybody want to add, suggest, debate on this?

 

[poolkeeper1]

I have been reading numerous threads debating whether to use RO/DI or a calibration fluid. I bought mine from BRS and the insructions that came with the refractometer said to calibrate to zero with RO/DI. But BRS had put a sticker on the case saying no to do that, and included a fluid. There argument is to calibrate it to a range to where you will actually be using it. and ZERO ain't it!


Refractometer Calibration: the Myth and Risks of using RO/DI Water - Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog
Watch the video at about 1:20 YouTube - ‪Saltwater refractometer demo - BRS TV‬‏

Anybody want to add, suggest, debate on this?

Maybe check them against each other and see if there is a difference in which fluid you use to calibrate it?
Bill

 

[pickupman66]

I calibrated mine to Zero with Ro/DI. was told to do that when I was doing Hypo last fall. never re-did it. hmmmm.....

 

[New Wave]

interresting... ive been calibrating mine with rodi 0 too... id be interrested to hear what you come up with buy comparing the difference between the supplied fluid and rodi like poolkeerper suggested.

what is the sg of the included liquid?

 

[Dowtish]

It calibrates at 1.026

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk

 

[ocd_reefer]

I've always calibrated with solution. Its only a few bucks and lasts forever.

 

[Reef lvr]

I calibrate mine with solution then check with ro di for zero.

 

[mixer911]

Reeally depends on the refracto. Mine has to be calibrated with 35 ppt solution. RO/DI throws mine out of wack if I use it to zero it out, but RO/DI shows zero after calibration with solution.

 

[Dowtish]

That's basically the answer I was looking for.

Reeally depends on the refracto. Mine has to be calibrated with 35 ppt solution. RO/DI throws mine out of wack if I use it to zero it out, but RO/DI shows zero after calibration with solution.

 

[Jennifier615]

Well I guessing you were to calibrated with rodi when your cartridges started to wear out eventually your zero level with have a trend that is upwards of zero.....using a solution with a definite known zero is less likely for error.....

For those of you reefers about to "rock"- we salute you

 

[poolkeeper1]

I have plenty of Lab Grade Solutions given to me by Crumpletop When i bought his Refractometer. I think they are several different solutions but it was so long ago i can not be sure.
Bill

 

[Dowtish]

Well I guessing you were to calibrated with rodi when your cartridges started to wear out eventually your zero level with have a trend that is upwards of zero.....using a solution with a definite known zero is less likely for error...

For those of you reefers about to "rock"- we salute you

Umm, do what???:neutral:

 

[Viva'sReef]

You should always use the solution

 

[Jennifier615]

Umm, do what???:neutral:

What I was trying to say and my text correcter doesn't understand the english language is, When you use RODI water and the inserts inside the unit start to degrade your water begins to shift upwards in TDS.......If you use this degraded water to calibrate your refractometer eventually your ZERO TDS reading is NOT a true 0 but something that has a positive value....kinda like turning the dial in a weight scale to add five pounds or take five pounds off the weight of something.......sometimes if this value keeps increasing it can be the difference in a tank crash!! Using a solution with a manufactured and tested known value is the best way to insure your 0 reading is a true 0.

 

[cee]

Never calibrate with RO/DI, it will be off, virtually guaranteed.

 

[Dowtish]

What I was trying to say and my text correcter doesn't understand the english language is, When you use RODI water and the inserts inside the unit start to degrade your water begins to shift upwards in TDS.......If you use this degraded water to calibrate your refractometer eventually your ZERO TDS reading is NOT a true 0 but something that has a positive value....kinda like turning the dial in a weight scale to add five pounds or take five pounds off the weight of something.......sometimes if this value keeps increasing it can be the difference in a tank crash!! Using a solution with a manufactured and tested known value is the best way to insure your 0 reading is a true 0.

I think everyone at apple is laughing their a$$es off at the fact that auto correct actually was made for entertainment purposes.:xd:

Thanks for clarifying!