borrow refractometer calibration liquid

j_mazzy · 05/26/2016, 09:13 AM

Anyone have 35ppt calibration fluid. I purchased the red sea refrac and calibrated on distilled water at 0ppt and it read my salinity at 1.021. swingarm is 1.025. I want to double check the refractometer so i can get the salinity correct.

Curious if anyone had any to borrow. I'll ship back. assuming that it will cost about 60 cents to ship to me and I'll ship back.

billdogg · 05/26/2016, 10:08 AM

My LFS (and your too probably) has it in stock for all of a couple bucks. Because of the need to check calibration frequently I would suggest buying a bottle of your own.

There is also a DIY thread in the chemistry forum to make your own.

d2mini · 05/26/2016, 10:11 AM

The Red Sea is supposed to be calibrated with RO water.

LED Jack · 05/26/2016, 05:40 PM

I have never heard of using anything other than RO water. Swingarms are poor tools and as they are used more and more the readings change because of the buildup on them.

heathlindner25 · 05/26/2016, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LED Jack

I have never heard of using anything other than RO water. Swingarms are poor tools and as they are used more and more the readings change because of the buildup on them.

They are actually quite accurate once you find the true reading.

disc1 · 05/26/2016, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j_mazzy

Anyone have 35ppt calibration fluid. I purchased the red sea refrac and calibrated on distilled water at 0ppt and it read my salinity at 1.021. swingarm is 1.025. I want to double check the refractometer so i can get the salinity correct.

Curious if anyone had any to borrow. I'll ship back. assuming that it will cost about 60 cents to ship to me and I'll ship back.

3.65g of table salt + 96.35g of RODI water will give you a 36.5ppt NaCl solution which will match by refractive index to 35ppt seawater.

You could scale that if you don't have such a good balance to 36.5g of table salt and 963.5g of water.

d2mini · 05/27/2016, 03:18 PM

Also, even if calibration fluid WAS what you were supposed to use for this refractometer, you can't just borrow it. Because you need to use it almost every time you want to take reading. Within a day or two it's off calibration again.
It's a very finicky little sucker.

ksc · 05/27/2016, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

Also, even if calibration fluid WAS what you were supposed to use for this refractometer, you can't just borrow it. Because you need to use it almost every time you want to take reading. Within a day or two it's off calibration again.
It's a very finicky little sucker.

If you need to calibrate "almost every time" it might be time for a new one....

d2mini · 05/27/2016, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksc

If you need to calibrate "almost every time" it might be time for a new one....

That's just the way this particular one is.
The instructions say to do so, as do my own tests. It's quite annoying.
Ask anyone who owns one.
I even sent mine back for a replacement. Same thing.
And then I won a third. Same thing.

ksc · 05/27/2016, 04:31 PM

I've had a VeeGee for 8 years. It still works great and I've rarely had to adjust it. Maybe your adjustment screw is getting loose?

d2mini · 05/27/2016, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksc

I've had a VeeGee for 8 years. It still works great and I've rarely had to adjust it. Maybe your adjustment screw is getting loose?

No, do a search. This is well talked about.
I have some no name eBay model that's near as old as yours and it holds calibration.

rags111875 · 05/27/2016, 05:47 PM

Got any fellow reefers nearby that u can 'calibrate' with their water?
My buds calibrated their's with my water after I calibrated mine at LFS.

heathlindner25 · 05/27/2016, 06:36 PM

My lfs sells it for 3 bucks...... almost starting off on the wrong foot if you can't afford the simple tools to maintain water quality

j_mazzy · 05/27/2016, 07:01 PM

Afford was not the issue. Seems like a big bottle for a quick measurement. Wanted to check and see if my new refrac was malfunctioning so I could return it if needed. But thanks for the comment that added no value to the thread and put me down at the same time. It was appreciated........

heathlindner25 · 05/27/2016, 07:05 PM

Didn't mean to come off harsh ,the Red Sea refractometer needs a lot of calibration. The bottle is not that big and you will use it up ...I was trying to help. I'll also throw this out there... high quality test kits should come before any Coral.

Neoz · 05/27/2016, 07:13 PM

Spot on about the Red Sea Refro. I have one as well and that SOB needs it everytime I use it. Not my favorite tool. I have a much cheaper one and that sucker holds forever it seems like.

So yeah do yourself a favor and order the bottle. I did for mine and its already half gone.

d2mini · 05/27/2016, 07:34 PM

AGAIN.... no need to buy a bottle of anything.
The instructions that come with the Red Sea tell you to use RO.
This refractometer is designed specifically for saltwater reefs and to be calibrated with RO water.

CStrickland · 05/27/2016, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

AGAIN.... no need to buy a bottle of anything.
The instructions that come with the Red Sea tell you to use RO.
This refractometer is designed specifically for saltwater reefs and to be calibrated with RO water.

lol I didn't believe you either, because in general it is better to calibrate devices under similar circumstances to those they'll be used under. So I googled it, and whadaya know... you're right! It took longer to type this post than it did to look up that info

Double lol at the guy saying op's off on the wrong foot. IMO the wrongest foot a reefer could be off on is buying unnecessary stuff, like calibration fluid for a Red Sea refractometer, apparently. But not asking questions for fear of being judged by forum smarty-pantses would be a close second in wrong-footedness so good on op for asking, and d2mini for persevering.

j_mazzy · 05/27/2016, 08:20 PM

my ro and my distilled are showing both zero. but the salinity is showing very different than the swingarm (which I know in general suck). I would normally be inclined to trust the refrac however I mixed IO salt at the exact amount per directions and swingarm measured 1.022 which was what the directions said it would measure at. The refrac was at 1.018..... That is what brought me to this dilemma.

Now as far as lfs all I have is a petco which I try not to visit. I'll try and throw some in with the BRS monday sale.

heathlindner25 · 05/27/2016, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CStrickland

lol I didn't believe you either, because in general it is better to calibrate devices under similar circumstances to those they'll be used under. So I googled it, and whadaya know... you're right! It took longer to type this post than it did to look up that info

Double lol at the guy saying op's off on the wrong foot. IMO the wrongest foot a reefer could be off on is buying unnecessary stuff, like calibration fluid for a Red Sea refractometer, apparently. But not asking questions for fear of being judged by forum smarty-pantses would be a close second in wrong-footedness so good on op for asking, and d2mini for persevering.

Double lol...funny I know you're supposed to calibrate Red Sea refractometers with RO water.
I like to calibrate them with 35 PPT solution anyways, and the Red Seas always fall out of calibration quickly. Just an observation of mine I was trying to help. At least I have experience with these refractometers to share.....

Optionman · 06/03/2016, 08:39 AM

i also have a new red sea refractometer and have to recalibrate it basically daily using RO or distilled water. quite annoying but now i just keep the adjusting screwdriver with the dropper and put up with it.

nereefpat · 06/03/2016, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

AGAIN.... no need to buy a bottle of anything.
The instructions that come with the Red Sea tell you to use RO.
This refractometer is designed specifically for saltwater reefs and to be calibrated with RO water.

Do you ever use calibration fluid as a check standard, just to see?

heathlindner25 · 06/03/2016, 06:34 PM

I do.

05/26/2016, 09:13 AM	#1
j_mazzy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: about an hour from charlotte Posts: 622	borrow refractometer calibration liquid Anyone have 35ppt calibration fluid. I purchased the red sea refrac and calibrated on distilled water at 0ppt and it read my salinity at 1.021. swingarm is 1.025. I want to double check the refractometer so i can get the salinity correct. Curious if anyone had any to borrow. I'll ship back. assuming that it will cost about 60 cents to ship to me and I'll ship back.

05/26/2016, 10:08 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	My LFS (and your too probably) has it in stock for all of a couple bucks. Because of the need to check calibration frequently I would suggest buying a bottle of your own. There is also a DIY thread in the chemistry forum to make your own. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

05/26/2016, 10:11 AM	#3
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	The Red Sea is supposed to be calibrated with RO water. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

05/27/2016, 03:18 PM	#7
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	Also, even if calibration fluid WAS what you were supposed to use for this refractometer, you can't just borrow it. Because you need to use it almost every time you want to take reading. Within a day or two it's off calibration again. It's a very finicky little sucker. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

05/27/2016, 05:47 PM	#12
rags111875 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 454	Got any fellow reefers nearby that u can 'calibrate' with their water? My buds calibrated their's with my water after I calibrated mine at LFS. __________________ New house, Out of hobby for a few years. Larger tank. Purchasing and Researching...

05/26/2016, 05:40 PM	#4
LED Jack Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Evansville, Indiana Posts: 152	I have never heard of using anything other than RO water. Swingarms are poor tools and as they are used more and more the readings change because of the buildup on them.

05/27/2016, 04:31 PM	#10
ksc Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 415	I've had a VeeGee for 8 years. It still works great and I've rarely had to adjust it. Maybe your adjustment screw is getting loose?

05/27/2016, 06:36 PM	#13
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	My lfs sells it for 3 bucks...... almost starting off on the wrong foot if you can't afford the simple tools to maintain water quality

05/27/2016, 07:01 PM	#14
j_mazzy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: about an hour from charlotte Posts: 622	Afford was not the issue. Seems like a big bottle for a quick measurement. Wanted to check and see if my new refrac was malfunctioning so I could return it if needed. But thanks for the comment that added no value to the thread and put me down at the same time. It was appreciated........

05/27/2016, 07:05 PM	#15
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	Didn't mean to come off harsh ,the Red Sea refractometer needs a lot of calibration. The bottle is not that big and you will use it up ...I was trying to help. I'll also throw this out there... high quality test kits should come before any Coral.

05/27/2016, 07:13 PM	#16
Neoz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 1,582	Spot on about the Red Sea Refro. I have one as well and that SOB needs it everytime I use it. Not my favorite tool. I have a much cheaper one and that sucker holds forever it seems like. So yeah do yourself a favor and order the bottle. I did for mine and its already half gone. __________________ Dave Live to Learn Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 450 - currently in storage.

05/27/2016, 07:34 PM	#17
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	AGAIN.... no need to buy a bottle of anything. The instructions that come with the Red Sea tell you to use RO. This refractometer is designed specifically for saltwater reefs and to be calibrated with RO water. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

05/27/2016, 08:20 PM	#19
j_mazzy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: about an hour from charlotte Posts: 622	my ro and my distilled are showing both zero. but the salinity is showing very different than the swingarm (which I know in general suck). I would normally be inclined to trust the refrac however I mixed IO salt at the exact amount per directions and swingarm measured 1.022 which was what the directions said it would measure at. The refrac was at 1.018..... That is what brought me to this dilemma. Now as far as lfs all I have is a petco which I try not to visit. I'll try and throw some in with the BRS monday sale.

06/03/2016, 08:39 AM	#21
Optionman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NJ Posts: 774	i also have a new red sea refractometer and have to recalibrate it basically daily using RO or distilled water. quite annoying but now i just keep the adjusting screwdriver with the dropper and put up with it.

06/03/2016, 06:34 PM	#23
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	I do.