Sugar Magnolia November 13, 2006 November 13, 2006 (edited) After reading through a rather disturbing article about the RHS-10ATC refractometer, which is the one I use, I need to get my hands on some of this calibrating fluid. Does anyone know if this is available locally? John? Sean? Melissa? I'll be mking up a batch of Randy's DIY calibration mixture, but want to recheck with the calibration fluid just to be 100% sure. Thread - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...mp;pagenumber=1 Edited November 13, 2006 by Sugar Magnolia
dandy7200 November 13, 2006 November 13, 2006 I just got some at BRK, yes it's true my refract read 1.027 with the solution, meaning my tank salinity is read 1.026 is really 1.025. Not as huge of a deal as some of the other storys I have read but, worth correcting none the less. Also see if you can get a mod to change the title of the thread to something like "refractometer users READ THIS!!!!" I knew what/why you were after but, I think that not everone reads the chemestry forum on RC quite as much as I do Regardless everyone in the club should be made aware and vendors might want to stock up on the calibrating solutions, although one bottle could probably calibrate about 20 refractometers. Dan
scarletknight06 November 13, 2006 November 13, 2006 wow good to know. I didnt get to read the whole RC thread, but they did determine that the american marine pinpoint conductivity calibration solution (thats a mouthful) could be used as a calibration for a refractometer correct? I might have to drive out to BRK or wherever to get some this weekend, however I have a feeling they will be sold out by the time i can get there.
Sugar Magnolia November 13, 2006 Author November 13, 2006 Thanks Dan, I'll PM John to see if he has any in stock right now.
mogurnda November 13, 2006 November 13, 2006 If you have access to a decent balance, you can make your own calibration fluid: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php It was very reassuring to see that my cheap refractometer wasn't so bad after all. Edit: Oops, just saw that the second post in that thread links to Randy's standard.
dandy7200 November 13, 2006 November 13, 2006 (edited) can't you calibrate with rodi water? In short NO! Thats the problem . Edited November 13, 2006 by dandy7200
johnnybv November 13, 2006 November 13, 2006 wow good to know. I didnt get to read the whole RC thread, but they did determine that the american marine pinpoint conductivity calibration solution (thats a mouthful) could be used as a calibration for a refractometer correct? I might have to drive out to BRK or wherever to get some this weekend, however I have a feeling they will be sold out by the time i can get there. I have several bottles in stock $2.95 ea
keeperofthefish November 14, 2006 November 14, 2006 That's scary and could explain why my calcium levels are always low... You think you bought something decent and then BAM--you figure out it sucks. Anyone else thinking about getting a Pinpoint salinity monitor? Seems like it could be a good investment... Or maybe I'll just correctly calibrate what I already have!
rrubberbandman November 14, 2006 November 14, 2006 And we thought swing arms were the only bad guys......i have a refract. from phisigs group buy....does this apply to our units? Bryan
BeltwayBandit November 14, 2006 November 14, 2006 That's scary and could explain why my calcium levels are always low... You think you bought something decent and then BAM--you figure out it sucks. Anyone else thinking about getting a Pinpoint salinity monitor? Seems like it could be a good investment... Or maybe I'll just correctly calibrate what I already have! I wouldn't say that it sucks, per se. Like any measuring device, it needs to be calibrated. And, we have just learned that the method we were given to calibrate them might not be the most effective. No worries. It is a simple solution. BB
rocko918 November 14, 2006 November 14, 2006 I didn't read it all but this sounds like the correct process. 1. Use RO water and set to zero. 2. Use the calibration fluid and if it does not read 1.026, set it to 1.026, and in the future use that to calibrate to 1.026. 3. Test tank water and adjust with topoff as necessary.
tygger November 14, 2006 November 14, 2006 Good thread! Thx for the link. I didn't have a chance to read through the whole post, but it sounds like the cheap refractometers are generally reading high. Is that right?
Sugar Magnolia November 14, 2006 Author November 14, 2006 And we thought swing arms were the only bad guys......i have a refract. from phisigs group buy....does this apply to our units? Bryan Not sure, but from what I gather most of the inexpensive units, such as the ones Premium Aquatics and Marine Depot sells are made by the same manufacturer. Check your unit and see if it is model # RHS-10ATC. IMO, it wouldn't hurt to check the refractometer you have with the calibrating fluid or the standard Randy H-F provides in the link. As soon as I finish off this 2 liter bottle of diet coke, I'll make up a batch of that.
rooroo November 14, 2006 November 14, 2006 Question about that DIY solution... Does it need to be at temp, 77 degrees F? Or will it work at any temp?
BeltwayBandit November 14, 2006 November 14, 2006 Question about that DIY solution... Does it need to be at temp, 77 degrees F? Or will it work at any temp? The temperature does effect specific gravity, so yes for the concentration you are mixing it needs to be at 77F to be accurate for a calibration solution. Of course, you probably wouldn't notice a difference at like 76 or 78 degrees... Get it close. Just don't try to take your tub, that is sitting in the garage at 50 degrees and try to make the stuff.
rooroo November 16, 2006 November 16, 2006 I tried that DIY calibration solution last night. Either I made it wrong (followed the directions exactly) or my refractometer is WAY off. Like .010 off. I would think if my salinity was that low things would have died long ago. Anyway, I'm going to calibrate against my moms tank instead since she has a pinpoint monitor.
Ne0eN November 16, 2006 November 16, 2006 I calibrated both of my refractometers last night (blue and black handles) using the PinPoint calibrating fluid and alas! they were both reading high. After calibration my tank water is now at 1.021... Since it's probably always been running this low with no ill effects, should I even try to raise it? (saves me $$ on salt) -- Rob
Sugar Magnolia November 17, 2006 Author November 17, 2006 RooRoo, you might want to mix up another batch and retest, or go pick up a bottle of calibrating fluid from BRK. I just made up a batch and tested and mine read 1.026 on the dot.
rocko918 November 17, 2006 November 17, 2006 got a bottle and tested mine, it was off. now i am slowing increasing my salinity of my tank. I was down at 1.019
dandy7200 November 17, 2006 November 17, 2006 If it were that low, I would start using saltwater for top off to correct it slowly, mixed to correct salinity of course .
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