How do you clean your refractometer lens?
I got a refractometer for Christmas and have been going crazy trying to trust the readings. I have the Pinpoint 35ppt salinity solution that I use to calibrate it before each test. I noticed that if I don't thoroughly rinse the lens and cover with clean (no salt) water and then dry with a paper towel it will give me odd readings. Is this what you guys do as well (clean the lens with water)? or do you just wipe it off with a dry towel or something? I'm very paranoid about getting bad readings...
The instructions just say to wipe off the lens between uses. I have this one: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...fm?pcatid=9957 |
I rinse with some RODI water and wipe clean.
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I usually just rinse and let air dry. I am probably too anal, but lab grade refractometers can get scratched even with kimwipes and I have gotten used to not wiping with anything like a papertowl.
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And to the OP, while it's noble to calibrate every time, it's probably not required. Once a month is probably fine. Try pointing at a bright light while you're taking the reading, and check to see if there's an adjustable focus on your instrument. |
I will be honest.... I just wipe mine on my undershirt. :)
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+1 on the shirt.
Dont use paper though, It will scratch it. |
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I rinse with RO then wipe off with my shirt. Also when I go to check I dont use a drop of water I use a bunch so if anything is on the lens it will wash off with the new saltwater. |
Thanks for all the replys everybody! It sounds like rinsing with RO is the important part. I did a bunch more testing today and if I don't rinse with RO I get inconsistent test results (even with the calibration liquid).
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RO + Shirt here!
I calibrate with RO, tried the 35ppt and the reading was true calibrated with RO... |
I agree with avoiding the paper. A soft cloth and some RO/DI water for me. If anything gets deposited, a bit of vinegar on the cloth can help. The microfiber cloths for cleaning camera lenses are perfect.
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Shirt, old paper towel laying next to water barrel, what ever is handy. Just make sure it's clean when you put it away. I think the most important thing is to not go crazy trying to get it prefect. Calibrating everytime you use it is a bit extensive. Trust the law of averages and your equipment and it will come out fine.
skeeter |
I dry it with my shirt LOL.
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When I first started reading this thread I thought I was the only one who used my shirt.
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haha, sounds like the overwhelming response is "use your shirt!!!"
I do it too |
I use a clean terry cloth towel. Maybe I should switch to my shirt! :)
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Kinda shocked at all the shirt comments. What the point of using RO if you just go wiping it with your shirt?! ;)
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Got to love simplicity at times... I do the shirt also :spin3:
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Yup. Shirt.
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YEP......gotta go with the T-Shirt.
Every Refractometer that I have had says to clean the lens with a soft cloth so you dont scratch it. 99% of the time when I check the salinity.....I wearing a soft T-Shirt. |
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Calibrating with RO water will NOT give you true accurate readings at the level we are testing. Please do not do this and think you are getting accurate results. |
Make sure you shake the bottle well before using the Pinpoint 35ppt salinity solution. When my salinity started to drift down for no apparent reason I shook the bottle to mix and rechecked. The unit was in fact calibrated correctly.
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Micro Fiber towel.
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Even more basic: I wipe mine on the inside of my forearm, figuring towels are too apt to scratch the lens.
One more use tip: be SURE to void the collection bulb each time: if salt accumulates in it due to water left behind it can screw a reading. |
Calibrating with RO or RO/DI water will not give you accurate results. I found out the hard way as I was practicing this method and over time my salinity kept creeping up b/c I was using RO/DI water to calibrate but it does not completely solve the issue. I picked up some calibration solution at my local fish store and re-calibrate every 2 weeks to ensure that i'm getting an accurate reading. I've had no problems since.
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