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how often do you calibrate your refractometer?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by wouldtick, Aug 15, 2015.

  1. wouldtick

    wouldtick Well-Known ReefKeeper

    Is once a month enough? Once every 2 months?

    I have gone 6 months with little changes here and there but nothing significant. Like most of you, I imagine the fact that it is only handled by me and put back in its case the reason why it doesn't fluctuate very often.

    Has anyone had a bad experience due to not calibrating? Don't worry, I will continue to calibrate it. I just want to know if they every change drastically. Mine has a cap that protects the adjustment screw and the screw is tight and not easily turned.
     
    wouldtick, Aug 15, 2015
    #1
  2. Ray/Jen_Reefin

    Ray/Jen_Reefin 2016 Vice President / 2015 Volunteer of the year.

    %= did both of mine tonight. One was way off. But who knows why?
     
    Ray/Jen_Reefin, Aug 15, 2015
    #2
  3. wouldtick

    wouldtick Well-Known ReefKeeper

    I am going to get two of them. That is a brilliant idea.
     
    wouldtick, Aug 15, 2015
    #3
  4. Sponge

    Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

    I calibrate mine every week because I have had a couple bad experiences over the years. I was always very careful but that didn'the seem to matter. I now use a digital and love it!
    I calibrate mine every week and yes, over the years I have hadone 3 incidents. Two were caused by the refract and 1 because of the standard. All 3 incidents were grossly high salinity. I do not have the best of luck though. I now use a digital refract and love it!! I keep 2 salinity standards on hand in case a reading appears out of wack.
     
    Sponge, Aug 16, 2015
    #4
  5. blackx-runner

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Not nearly as often as I should...
    I've been lucky that it hasn't really ever moved and it always calibrates just as it should. I guess maybe that's why I got in the habit of not really checking it.
    I have heard of several incidents where faulty refract readings have led to tank problems.
     
    blackx-runner, Aug 16, 2015
    #5
  6. Bud

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    I read that you should always calibrate it before use. I got the Milwaukee digital one and I'll never look back. But that's not feasible for everyone.

    If you keep it in the same place all the time, theoretically you should be able to let ti go without recalibration for quite a long time. Always calibrate with 35ppt solution not RODI. Also the refractometer type matters. Most are brine refractometers that measure a wide range, like 0-50ppt. The Pro on one Marine Depot is only for 20-40ppt and according to them is made for true seawater not brine or saltwater. It's much more accurate.
     
    Bud, Aug 17, 2015
    #6
  7. wouldtick

    wouldtick Well-Known ReefKeeper

    I do use the solution that came with it. Some day i will get digital testers. Armydog showed me some of his and they are cool.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2015
    wouldtick, Aug 18, 2015
    #7
  8. wouldtick

    wouldtick Well-Known ReefKeeper

    I am guessing your corals would show signs of stress if things got too out of control but maybe it would be too late at that point.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2015
    wouldtick, Aug 18, 2015
    #8
  9. Crosshatch

    Crosshatch

    I also have the digital Milwaukee very accurate and so simple to use. I only calibrate it yearly and it has not failed yet.
     
    Crosshatch, Aug 19, 2015
    #9
  10. Bud

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    Milwaukee says that you're supposed to calibrate it before each use. Probably overkill but I get a vial of room temp RODI ready before I test and calibrate it before I test, then after testing I dab out the test sample with a paper towel, fill with RODI and wipe dry with a glasses cleaning cloth. The sample is so small that any residual saltwater can throw off the next reading (if you're testing multiple samples back to back). I use old syringes from Salifert test kits to add the sample or RODI then use the syringe to suck out the sample before wiping it off. I used to calibrate between each individual test but after using it for a while I determined that that was definitely overkill

    I've read that if you have a problem with the meter, Milwaukee will ask you if you follow a procedure like this - keeping it clean and calibrating it often.
     
    Bud, Aug 19, 2015
    #10
  11. Crosshatch

    Crosshatch

    Find that to be extremely overkill and unecessary just wipe it off with a fiber cloth every time. I am sure it is protocol and good practice but I keep it simple until the method fails.
    I have tested it at A live fish store against other refractometers reads spot on with what they get.Either spot on or .001 off, they were using the Refractometers that is made for saltwater.
     
    Crosshatch, Aug 19, 2015
    #11
  12. jeremy

    jeremy Acro Addict

    I calibrate mine once a week before I do water change.
     
    jeremy, Aug 19, 2015
    #12
  13. beckerj3

    beckerj3 Expert Reefkeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

    Not as often as I should! Its been several months since I calibrated. Maybe I'll add that to the list for this week.
     
    beckerj3, Aug 19, 2015
    #13
  14. wouldtick

    wouldtick Well-Known ReefKeeper

    Please let me know if it is off at all. I am curious.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2015
    wouldtick, Aug 19, 2015
    #14
  15. Sponge

    Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

    +3 for the digital Milwaukee;)
     
    Sponge, Aug 20, 2015
    #15
  16. jeremy

    jeremy Acro Addict

    I just got a Milwaukee from BRS yesterday.
     
    jeremy, Aug 20, 2015
    #16
  17. beckerj3

    beckerj3 Expert Reefkeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

    Will do.

    Meant to quote Wouldtick's response.....
     
    beckerj3, Aug 20, 2015
    #17

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