Refractometer ??

Ffelrod · Feb 28, 2020

Bought a used refractometer. Calibrated it with RODI water at 0. Mixed to 1.025-1.026. Been using. Lost an orchid dottyback after a water change (2 days). Re-calibrated the refractometer. Used calibration solution this time. Had to adjust the result based on temp difference. (Solution calls for 77 degrees. My solution was 60 degrees.). Reading was 1.031!

Thinking my original calibration was off because I didn’t adjust for the temp of the RODI water.

Can a 1.031 kill an orchid? Does it sound like the steps I took were right to make?

Thanks!!

William Mumford · Feb 28, 2020

How big was the water change?

SeaSickness · Feb 28, 2020

Most calibration solutions come in sealed packets. Next time, before you calibrate your refractometer, float the sealed packet in your sump. This way the calibration solution is closer to the needed temperature.