Ahh !!! Buff this.

[maddreefer]

Hi,

I am in the process of buying a refractometer. They want to sell me a buffer solution of either 4.0, 7.0. 10.0. Which one and why do I need it ? :)


Thanks !

[fragaholic]

Thats wierd? With mine all I needed to do was calibrate it with ro/di water. Buffer sounds like something you would need with a ph monitor.

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7761523#post7761523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fragaholic
Thats wierd? With mine all I needed to do was calibrate it with ro/di water. Buffer sounds like something you would need with a ph monitor.

I agree. If you are buying a refractometer, you will have no need for buffering solutions.

[bertoni]

The buffer solutions are indeed for a pH meter. This article will help with calibration:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php

[maddreefer]

What an idiot... my bad. It is a ph monitor. Forgive my ignorance, my head is in two different places.

bertoni, thank you for the article.

[maddreefer]

Could one of you please explain why I need buffering solution for a "PH"monitor ?

Thanks again,

[bertoni]

They are used to calibrate the meter. This article might help:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2004/chem.htm

[RobbyG]

Dude you need to do some heavy reading before launching the boat, or it will sink!

I think when you say buffering solution you mean Calibration solution. You need the calibration solution to of course calibrate the probe to make sure it reads accuretly. I suggest you look at the pH probes manual for the info on what solution to calibrate it with, some probes use both 7 and 10 others may use different combos or just one.

[chinaman4u]

Make sure you get small single use pouches of these solutions, as opposed to a larger bottle. Once opened they change PH's.

the pH scale is logarithmic, so calibrating a pH monitor requires two readings, a low(4) and a high(10) and 7 to check. Calibration with these solutions are required, otherwise, you wouldn't know if your meter was accurate.

[maddreefer]

Thank you again bertoni.

RobbyG... That's why I am coming to you for advice and links. :)

chinaman4u, I am glad you said that. I was looking at the gallon deal.

Can't thank you all enough.

[RobbyG]

maddreefer may I make one suggestion to you that will save you a lot of headache, Become a premium member of RC so that the search engine works 24/7 for you. It was one of the best investements I made at the start, I needed very specific answers and that was the way I found the answers. Also if you are still having problems feel free to PM me I will see if I can help.