Are you properly calibrating your refractometer?

shiftline · 08/09/2017, 10:54 AM

Are you properly calibrating your refractometer?
Lot of people just use RO/DI water which will read 0..however your not going to get the the most accurate results.

the next batch of people will use proper 35ppt/1.026 calibration solution which gets you closer.. but ar you taking into account the temperature compensation?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_jAK_V9_kk

ReefsandGeeks · 08/09/2017, 12:53 PM

Yes, I use proper calibration methods for my refractometer literally every time I use it. It's pretty annoying, but probably has saved me from unnecessary adjusting at least once.

WLachnit · 08/10/2017, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devastator007

Yes, I use proper calibration methods for my refractometer literally every time I use it. It's pretty annoying, but probably has saved me from unnecessary adjusting at least once.

Does it drift that much every time? I guess every refractometer is different.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Mishri · 08/11/2017, 02:34 PM

I've checked the calibration on my refactometer many times over the years, I've never had to adjust it once I had it properly calibrated. It's probably been a year since I last checked so I'll do it again.. but it's never changed on me.

FullBoreReefer · 08/11/2017, 06:09 PM

My old one use to drift after awhile. I ended up getting a new one.

I set my calibration fluid in my sump for a few hours to get the temp the same.

homer1475 · 08/15/2017, 07:00 AM

If your refractometer has ATC, then wouldn't you calibrate by adding the fluid then letting it sit for 30 seconds for the temp to compensate regardless of what the fluid your using temp is?

Least this is how I've always done it with an ATC refractometer.

bertoni · 08/15/2017, 03:30 PM

Various manufacturers of refractometers (or at least various labels) state that the device should be calibrated at a given temperature. I have no idea why. We've discussed this in the past, as well, and no one has come up with an explanation. When I was using a refractometer, I always calibrated the device at room temperature, which was very stable in my home, and it always worked well enough.

jason2459 · 08/15/2017, 10:20 PM

An ATC device has a temp range which is fairly reasonable and normal for most houses and tanks. I would give the sample a few seconds (30 seconds is sufficient) for the fluid and the surface it's placed on to settle in temperature wise. The temp of a fridge is not reasonable unless it's for a beverage to drink.

What would be more important to question is are you sure your 35ppt standard is accurate?
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2583418

08/09/2017, 10:54 AM	#1
shiftline Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 537	Are you properly calibrating your refractometer? Are you properly calibrating your refractometer? Lot of people just use RO/DI water which will read 0..however your not going to get the the most accurate results. the next batch of people will use proper 35ppt/1.026 calibration solution which gets you closer.. but ar you taking into account the temperature compensation? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_jAK_V9_kk __________________ ReefDudes - Making Reefing Easy! Current Tank Info: Fuson 30L

08/11/2017, 02:34 PM	#4
Mishri Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Great Falls, MT Posts: 1,404	I've checked the calibration on my refactometer many times over the years, I've never had to adjust it once I had it properly calibrated. It's probably been a year since I last checked so I'll do it again.. but it's never changed on me. __________________ 300 gallon 8ft long, 2x xf250 gyre, reef octopus 250-int - work in progress Aquarist since 1986

08/11/2017, 06:09 PM	#5
FullBoreReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wooster, OH Posts: 1,862	My old one use to drift after awhile. I ended up getting a new one. I set my calibration fluid in my sump for a few hours to get the temp the same. __________________ 60x36x24 mixed reef. 40b sump. Regal 250int Varios. 4xHydra26HDs+t5s. 4xMp40wes. Apex2016.

08/15/2017, 07:00 AM	#6
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	If your refractometer has ATC, then wouldn't you calibrate by adding the fluid then letting it sit for 30 seconds for the temp to compensate regardless of what the fluid your using temp is? Least this is how I've always done it with an ATC refractometer. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

08/15/2017, 03:30 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Various manufacturers of refractometers (or at least various labels) state that the device should be calibrated at a given temperature. I have no idea why. We've discussed this in the past, as well, and no one has come up with an explanation. When I was using a refractometer, I always calibrated the device at room temperature, which was very stable in my home, and it always worked well enough. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/09/2017, 12:53 PM	#2
ReefsandGeeks Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,708	Yes, I use proper calibration methods for my refractometer literally every time I use it. It's pretty annoying, but probably has saved me from unnecessary adjusting at least once.

08/15/2017, 10:20 PM	#8
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	An ATC device has a temp range which is fairly reasonable and normal for most houses and tanks. I would give the sample a few seconds (30 seconds is sufficient) for the fluid and the surface it's placed on to settle in temperature wise. The temp of a fridge is not reasonable unless it's for a beverage to drink. What would be more important to question is are you sure your 35ppt standard is accurate? http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2583418 __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank Last edited by jason2459; 08/15/2017 at 10:27 PM.