am I misuisng my refractometer?

[El Langostino]

I'm a bit frustrated with the Sg readings my refractometer is giving me. I thought it was supposed to be dead on accurate. Am I perhaps using it incorrectly? My Instant Ocean hydrometer seems to be giving me a more constant reading of 1.024 to 1.025 and the refractometer says anything from 1.020 or to 1.023. I don't know which one is correct but if my Sg is really as low as 1.020 I'm never going to be able to keep inverts because I'm doing everything I can to raise the salinity but to no avail, argh!

 

[Spuds725]

Do you live in the bizzaro world?? Up is down, black is white??

My refractometer reads the same everytime unlike my old swing arm...

Are you following the directions for the refractomer correctly including cleaning it... also, is the entire lens getting covered with water when you close it-- I'm assuming you have one similar to mine--I've only used this one... http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11275&ref=2020&subref=AC

 

[Agu]

Had the same problem when I first got a refractometer. Two things you might be doing wrong.

Always dry the lens and cover with a soft cloth after use.

If you're using the squeeze bulb applicator squeeze it a few times in the water before collecting a sample.

In either case it doesn't take much dried salt residue to mess up the readings.

fwiw,ime,

 

[El Langostino]

Spuds,

I can unequivocally tell you that in my own personal esoterical realm, whichever path I take in life, the fish are sure to fly whilst the birds prefer to swim, fire is cold and ice is hot, heck on occasion you'd even swear the walls were melting and you could walk right through them....and I know I've seen the clouds whirling about, turning green and the village floating off just glancing at Starry Night on my wall.... but trip on that nonsense another time if you will (and I suggest you do =P),...ehem...yes, so as for the refractometer, perhaps I'm not thorough enough in cleaning it.

Agu, is it fine to gently dry it with a bath towel or tissue paper?

thanks for the info

 

[Spuds725]

ROTFL....

 

[Agu]

I've been told that cellulose fibers in paper products can scratch the lens.

 

[El Langostino]

Last night my tank read about 1.022 Sg. I made 5 gallons of RO/DI water last night, let the salt mix for 24 hours, tested it and it read 1.025. So I do my water change a few hours ago, 30 minutes later I test the tank water again and it reads 1.020. Insane I know. I have no idea why I am unable to get the Specific Gravity higher. Say goodbye to the prospect of ever having a reef. Surely this damn refractometer must have a scratched lense or be old and faulty. My friend gave it to me and it is probably about 3 years old. This is driving me absolutely mad...

 

[El Langostino]

I'm almost to the point where I feel it very necessary to just dump several cups of Oceanic salt into my sump...

 

[Dubbin1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6726364#post6726364 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by El Langostino
Spuds,

I can unequivocally tell you that in my own personal esoterical realm, whichever path I take in life, the fish are sure to fly whilst the birds prefer to swim, fire is cold and ice is hot, heck on occasion you'd even swear the walls were melting and you could walk right through them....and I know I've seen the clouds whirling about, turning green and the village floating off just glancing at Starry Night on my wall.... but trip on that nonsense another time if you will (and I suggest you do =P),...ehem...yes, so as for the refractometer, perhaps I'm not thorough enough in cleaning it.

Agu, is it fine to gently dry it with a bath towel or tissue paper?

thanks for the info

Umm I think someone needs to lay off the sauce

 

[El Langostino]

Actually my friend, that wouldn't even be close to sauce so I guess you failed to understand the reference =P...and btw, I was only joking around =P

As for this Sg situation, now that, is hardly a joke and I'm still looking for some advice...

 

[AquaReeferMan]

Get a new Refractometer.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

I just got a new one and mine reads a steady 1.026.

 

[sarduci]

I always rinse mine off with a little DI water after use......

Been dead on every time except the time after I forgot to clean it and there was a bit of salt dried on there....

 

[vonodie1]

I hope you get this figured out soon.

Is there a way to calibrate it with some distilled water? have you tried that yet?

Also, I don't think anyone answered with what is the best way to dry the lens off?

 

[El Langostino]

You're right, I don't think anyone did....well...anyone, lol? I'm probably just going to toss this one and buy a new one to check the readings....and oh boy, if that doesn't work...I'll have no idea why my Sg is so incredibly low....y entonces tiraré mi lógica al cubo de la basura -_- ...pero sé que ganaré esta batalla....Ã"šÃ‚¡La victoria será mía!

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

if you don't take out and replace enough water in you system the sg can't rise.
Either:
1. when you do the next few w.c.'s, make the new water higher than 1.025
-or-
2. change more amounts of water each time

 

[Agu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6735663#post6735663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vonodie1

Also, I don't think anyone answered with what is the best way to dry the lens off?

Ideally you'd rinse it with purified water and use a soft cloth to dry it, most people just wipe it off on their shirt tails :lol: .


To raise salinity slowly, use mixed saltwater as top off water to replace evaporation.