reef refractometer calibration

[Saltwater_Reefing]

I have had my tank for a while and I have used a refractometer and I don't know the best way to calibrate it, can you give me any input on the best way to calibrate it and how often I should?

 

[SnazzyUrchin792]

How in the world does this count as an emergency?

 

[Nano_Man]

I think you made a error we all do it .Emergency is only for fish ill fish corals tanks splitting something that is a emergency but don’t worry just post again asking your question with out the emergency badge . Some people 0 them with rodi water and some use calibration fluid to 35 . Everyone makes mistakes lol . Keep posting

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I removed the emergency tag

What refractometer are we talking about?

 

[Saltwater_Reefing]

I removed the emergency tag

What refractometer are we talking about?

I just got a salinity refractometer off of amazon, ATC brand

 

[dangles]

Is it this style?

There’s a salinity calibration fluid I use. A couple of drops on the window, and use the provided little screwdriver turn the INNER screw until what you see through the eyepiece matches the stated value.

I check/calibrate mine every couple of weeks. Super simple.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You should buy it make a 35 ppt seawater standard. You should not use ro/di to calibrate it.

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

Just get yourself a Tropic Marin Hydrometer and don’t worry about calibrating . . . Ever again

 

[Saltwater_Reefing]

Is it this style?

There’s a salinity calibration fluid I use. A couple of drops on the window, and use the provided little screwdriver turn the INNER screw until what you see through the eyepiece matches the stated value.

I check/calibrate mine every couple of weeks. Super simple.

do you have to make it the same temperature of the water in your tank?

 

[dangles]

do you have to make it the same temperature of the water in your tank?

I assume probably, but I don’t :upside-down-face:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

do you have to make it the same temperature of the water in your tank?

Are you asking about the refractometer? No.

 

[dangles]

Are you asking about the refractometer? No.

I assumed he meant the calibration solution

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I assumed he meant the calibration solution

Anything with his refractometer does not need to be at any particular temp. That is what ATC (automatic temperature compensation) deals with.

 

[Saltwater_Reefing]

Anything with his refractometer does not need to be at any particular temp. That is what ATC (automatic temperature compensation) deals with.

ok so I should use the solution and then adjust the refractometer to the bottle rating?
Then how often should I use solution and should I ever put rodi water on the glass plate to clean the salt off?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

ok so I should use the solution and then adjust the refractometer to the bottle rating?
Then how often should I use solution and should I ever put rodi water on the glass plate to clean the salt off?

What bottle? I personally would not trust a random bottle of calibration fluid that came with it since it is not at all clear what it is or how it was made).

It's certainly fine to clean it with RO/DI.

You can make your own 35 ppt refractometer standard with this recipe, if you have a scale:


Refractometers and Salinity Measurement by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Reef Aquarium Salinity: Homemade Calibration Standards by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

This recipe for 35 ppt seawater standard:

"3.65 weight percent sodium chloride solution can be made by dissolving 3.65 grams of sodium chloride in 96.35 grams (mL) of purified fresh water. "