Salinity

[Acropora52]

What's everyone using to check salinity?

I have a refractometer but now that my sump is in my basement, natural light is hard to come by. Thinking of getting the milwaukee digital refractometer.

Any experiences? Any better options in the same ballpark pricewise?

 

[Aquaph8]

They sale refractometers with build in lights I think. I've never owned one but I think I've seen em.

 

[CJO]

I have a refractometer with a built-in light. However, don't you have the basement lit? Can't you just aim it at a light?

CJ

 

[Acropora52]

yeah, but I'm wondering if the digital refractometers are more accurate. Doesn't depend on the variability of "daylight" and human perception. Any other thoughts?

 

[revhtree]

Refractometer!

 

[mfdrookie516]

I did a very un-scientific test with mine to make sure I was using it properly. I used the 1.026 calibration fluid under 4 different light sources. Natural Sunlight, T5HO lighting, Incandescent lighting, and CFL's on the vanity. Once I calibrated it to 1.026 under Natural Sunlight, it read the same under the other 3 light sources. Now, since my tank is conveniently just a few feet from my master bathroom, I just use the CFL 'globes' on the vanity since they are the brightest and easiest for me to see.

 

[dv3]

i use refractometer and and pinpoint meter ...they both do the trick just the same as long as they are calibrated properly

 

[Acropora52]

Okay, I think I'm going to stick to my refractometer for now. That unscientific test helps :)

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Apex Salinity Probe. Constant salinity readings and also functions as an ATO fail-safe.

 

[Paul_N]

Apex Salinity Probe. Constant salinity readings and also functions as an ATO fail-safe.

I never thougt of that! Ingenious...:xd: Or maybe I'm just a little slow...lol

 

[soccerbag]

I didn't know there was a Salinity probe made (other than the Pinpoint). Do you have a link to the actual probe? I like that idea....


Edit....guess it's the Conductivity probe...

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

I didn't know there was a Salinity probe made (other than the Pinpoint). Do you have a link to the actual probe? I like that idea....


Edit....guess it's the Conductivity probe...

You got it Craig - Salinity is measured via conductivity (at least that how the Apex does it.) I use a Osmolator with fail-safe handled via the Apex as follows...

Set ON
Fallback ON
If Cond < 34.6 Then OFF
If pH > 08.75 Then OFF
Min Time 060:00 Then OFF
If FeedC 060 Then OFF
If FeedD 030 Then OFF

This turns off the ATO if...

• Salinity drops below 34.6 PPM
• pH increases above 8.75 (I use Kalk saturated RO/DO for my top-off.)

Both events also trigger an alarm and send me a text and email.

The Set On command provides the starting point for the outlet
The Fallback command tells the outlet what to do if it loses connection to the Apex.
The feed times represent maintenance cycles such as a water change where I want the ATO turned off for a set period of time.
The Min time statement guarantees that if the outlet is turned off - it will remain off for at least 60 minutes (to prevent cycling in the event of a probe failure)

I also have an alarm,text and email set should the salinity increase to more than 35.4 PPM as this would indicate that either the ATO pump has failed, or the ATO container is empty.

I have a hard time reading 1/10th of a PPM on a refractometer, the Apex makes it very easy to be precise.

 

[-Logzor]

Agreed, I've had a terrible time with my refractometer lately, moved to the pinpoint salinity probe. So far so good.

Calibration is a little goofy, not sure how well it works. I calibrated once, then tested it again a few days later and it was reading off by 1 Ms (54 rather than 53). I think temperature of the calibration solution plays a huge role.

 

[soccerbag]

You got it Craig - Salinity is measured via conductivity (at least that how the Apex does it.) I use a Osmolator with fail-safe handled via the Apex as follows...

Set ON
Fallback ON
If Cond < 34.6 Then OFF
If pH > 08.75 Then OFF
Min Time 060:00 Then OFF
If FeedC 060 Then OFF
If FeedD 030 Then OFF

This turns off the ATO if...

• Salinity drops below 34.6 PPM
• pH increases above 8.75 (I use Kalk saturated RO/DO for my top-off.)

Both events also trigger an alarm and send me a text and email.

The Set On command provides the starting point for the outlet
The Fallback command tells the outlet what to do if it loses connection to the Apex.
The feed times represent maintenance cycles such as a water change where I want the ATO turned off for a set period of time.
The Min time statement guarantees that if the outlet is turned off - it will remain off for at least 60 minutes (to prevent cycling in the event of a probe failure)

I also have an alarm,text and email set should the salinity increase to more than 35.4 PPM as this would indicate that either the ATO pump has failed, or the ATO container is empty.

I have a hard time reading 1/10th of a PPM on a refractometer, the Apex makes it very easy to be precise.

This is GREAT stuff Tom. I'm sure that many others will benefit from this code. I will be using it once my probe comes in. I have an Osmolator as well and this will be a great failsafe. Thanks again for posting!!!!!:bigsmile:

 

[Acropora52]

you need the pm2 module as well, correct? I assume you can't use the conductivity probe with the apex base?

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

you need the pm2 module as well, correct? I assume you can't use the conductivity probe with the apex base?

Correct. The Apex base provides Temp, pH and ORP. The conductivity probes connects through a PM2 module. I also connect a 2nd temp probe to the PM2 allowing me to keep a temp probe in both the sump and tank. As my heaters are in the sump, this allows me to quickly know if my return pump has failed (I don't trust floats :))

 

[Steven R]

I am using the milwaukee instruments self lit refract and love it, even adjust for the temp and is easy to calibrate.

 

[Chris L]

Using premium aquatics refract and love it!!! All i have to say is stupid box hydrometers!!! Doah!

 

[Acropora52]

Correct. The Apex base provides Temp, pH and ORP. The conductivity probes connects through a PM2 module. I also connect a 2nd temp probe to the PM2 allowing me to keep a temp probe in both the sump and tank. As my heaters are in the sump, this allows me to quickly know if my return pump has failed (I don't trust floats :))

sounds like it :) Well, will be on my list of down the road tank upgrades :) Thanks for posting the code.

 

[Mr Beardsley]

It was a little on the expensive side, but I got a Hanna HI96822 digital refractometer for checking my salinity.

Digital Refractometer for Natural or Artificial Seawater Analysis, HI 96822 | HANNA Instruments USA