Refractometer calibration solution

[jahmic]

So...it's time to make myself a new batch of refractometer calibration solution.

Curious to know if this is something that everyone already has laying around in excess...or if there would be any interest in picking up a bottle if I make a larger batch to share. I have a digital scale accurate to 0.1g that I use for my measurements...and the last batch I made was tested against a 1.026 solution from BRS and tested dead accurate with the standard solution.

I don't intend on selling this stuff to make a buck...so if there's any cost associated it'd likely be just enough to cover the bottle the stuff is stored in. Please vote and let me know if anybody else would like some, and I'll plan accordingly.

 

[jahmic]

Yes, I realize the poll options are a little...overdone?

A simple yes/no just seemed too boring.

 

[samindenver]

I've just been using RO water but am always looking for something better. I'm in.

 

[asn-naso]

How about a new vote option - I bought a bottle of fluid, and used it once.

Sami - using RO will not give you accurate results.

 

[jahmic]

Sami - using RO will not give you accurate results.

+1 Using RO water is calibrating the refractometer to be accurate at a salitiny of "0". To calibrate it you want it to be adjusted to the range that you'll actually be measuring. I had calibrated mine with RO and found that it was off by .004 once I made my solution; I had been attempting (and failing) to keep coral at a salinity of 1.020 (thought I was at 1.024) prior to catching that error.

Here's a quick read on the subject:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php#20

 

[algaeman]

How about if you run a mobile calibration service? Maybe do knife sharpening too?

 

[pieguy]

I'd be interested in some. It would be nice to compare it to my to water.

 

[newtoreef]

I use a marine depot pro refracto it told me to use ro water to calib it but hey I'm down for a bottle if that's what's is best

 

[jahmic]

Yea my refractometer instructions told me to use RO as well...but I ended up with a significant error in my readings.

Not to say that's the case for everyone, but it's at least worth checking.

I'm going to check around to see if I can find bottles locally...but chances are that I'll have to go online to get them. I'll have these ready to go by the August garage sale meeting at the latest.

 

[newtoreef]

Sweet I will take one for sure

 

[jahmic]

Bottles were too cheap online for me to not go that route...I'm having 50 dropper bottles shipped from, you guessed it, China.

I ended up getting 10ml bottles, while the size that BRS sells is a 60ml bottle. So they won't last quite as long, but I probably use about 0.5ml every time I calibrate. I calibrate once a month so I'd assume these would last most people 6 months to a year depending on how often you calibrate.

Bottles were dirt cheap...so these will be FREE. Please post up if you'd like a bottle and I'll try to make enough to go around. I'm ordering 50 bottles and the salt I use for this is cheap enough, so getting everyone a bottle shouldn't be a problem.

If anybody happens to come across this thread and has a bottle of 1.026 standard solution laying around, please let me know. I'd like to borrow the bottle to make sure that my solution matches the standard...wouldn't want to give out a batch of inaccurate solution to everyone. I trust my measurements enough, but just want to make sure that everyone gets accurate results.

 

[pieguy]

I'll take one. I don't mind pitching in something to help cover your time and effort.

 

[Walter White]

The bad thing about calibration with RO water is the calibration is in a range way different from where you are actually taking the reading. I dont think calibrating with RO is a good idea either.

 

[ailachami]

I have a half bottle of 1.026 calibration fluid. You are welcome to use it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

[asn-naso]

The bottle I bought was 1.038, or something like that. Knowing yours will be 1.026, I'd be interested in a bottle.

 

[samindenver]

I am interested in getting a bottle too.