View Full Version : how often does your refractometer need calibration
thelawnwrangler
03/01/2016, 06:50 PM
I am 3 months in needed to dial it in after wondering how did I screw up top off
just buy the calibrating solution and check your refracto yourself..then youll have the bottle of solution for future calibration and checking whenever you want
heathlindner25
03/01/2016, 07:19 PM
I have one that never needs calibrating, given to me by an old school... I don't know the brand
My recently purchased Red Sea reflectometer needs calibration every time I look at it
thelawnwrangler
03/01/2016, 08:18 PM
Lol I have red sea one
I calibrate it to 0 with Rodi is that wrong vs using solution?
heathlindner25
03/01/2016, 08:20 PM
Lol I have red sea one
I calibrate it to 0 with Rodi is that wrong vs using solution?
You should use calibration fluid
thegrun
03/01/2016, 08:27 PM
I check mine every time I use them. They usually do not need adjustment, but it takes all of 10 seconds to calibrate one so why not? Always us a standard 35ppt calibration solution, using RO/DI water can leave your calibration of saltwater off by a significant amount.
thelawnwrangler
03/01/2016, 08:28 PM
You should use calibration fluid
I need to look that up/do it. What is solution like 1.025
Guess you don't care if it reads 1.000 right you need it to read 1.025 right.
I run a little low 1.024 I guess I should step it up a bit. Probably get more of the other good stuff in salt too
thegrun
03/01/2016, 08:31 PM
Saltwater calibration fluid is typically 35ppt (1.0264 SG).
MikeyAl
03/01/2016, 08:32 PM
Lol I have red sea one
I calibrate it to 0 with Rodi is that wrong vs using solution?
Ditto.
reefbroao
03/02/2016, 12:59 AM
Lol same and I calibrate it every time I use it sometimes more than once.
WaReefer458
03/02/2016, 01:51 AM
I have the marine depot one. It's ok but when you calibrate it to ro water it reads .001 low. I have an old hydrometer that is spot on so I calibrate it to that. I use my refractometer for my tank and keep the hydrometer in the garage for my water change readings.
Member No. 1
03/02/2016, 04:07 AM
Here is some good info...
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/
toothybugs
03/02/2016, 06:41 AM
Mine only seems to need to be done yearly, when I check it after 6 months it's off by maybe 0.001, reading low. I calibrate to 1.026 first and then check RODI just for giggles (and to make sure I have a true zero).
No problems that way.
billbunton
03/02/2016, 07:43 AM
I have a V2 that needs calibration every time. I have a BRS that needs calibration once in a blue moon.
As everyone else has said, use calibration fluid.
scooter31707
03/02/2016, 08:52 AM
I have the Red Sea version and I've noticed that when my temp changes in the house I have to calibrate it again. So pretty much I have to check every time I use it.
CStrickland
03/02/2016, 09:18 AM
I'm not sure but I think that a lot of the diff brands are the same refractometer. They are "ATC" refractometers that diff companies like Red Sea have customized by the factory to put their name on it.
I used the fluid too, it's cheap. I replace it every six or eight months too cause I'm paranoid that it'll evaporate and get out of whack over time from having the bottle opened.
BrokenSpoke
03/02/2016, 09:28 AM
I have had the BRS refractometer and the calibration fluid for several years now. I check it about once a quarter and I have never needed to calibrate it.
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