new refractometer

[fatmtbiker]

I am looking at this model. Anybody got anything good or bad about if if you have used it or have another make/model they like.

dr foster smith - refractometer

 

[ckoral]

I've got one. Very accurate, very good. If I broke/lost mine, that is what I would buy again.

 

[mnestroy]

Good as any other in my opinion, I owned that one and broke it, and spent the extra 50bux on the higher end one... same thing, i regret spending extra 50bux

 

[IU2468]

I have the same one as well, I also know someone who has the higher end one and there is no difference. Good Unit for the Price

 

[BlakDuc]

I have this one as well. Make sure to get the calibration fluid though. I cant find it on Drs Foster Smith. It is the 53.0 mS calibration fluid made by pinpoint.

 

[ckoral]

I calibrate mine by taking it to my friends and comparing. Not as good as GrandeGixxer's way, but it works.

 

[~ChrisB~]

Why not just use ro/di to calibrate? Should read zero.......

 

[ckoral]

zero?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_gravity

 

[~ChrisB~]

Ok, not sure what the link is supposed to tell me. But RO/DI water with a TDS of zero, should read zero on your Refractometer, right? Golly, if Im wrong I've been doing it wrong for 10+ years.........

 

[~ChrisB~]

Ok, even if it should read 1, it's still relative.

 

[PSam]

What it's saying is that your refractometer may be off by a small amount if you zero with RO/DI. I use DI and the 53ms. If I zero with DI, then the 53ms which should be 35ppt reads ~38ppt. If I set 35ppt with the 53ms, the DI reads under 0.

Bottom line, imo, it doesn't matter really, just pick one, and stick with it. Does it really matter if you are at 1.0265 or 1.0269? or 36 or 37ppt? No, not really, as long as your salinity is stable in the tank, and makeup water matches.

 

[BlakDuc]

Do you use your refractometer to measure your top off water? The solution is like $5 and will last a very long time. You bought a $50 piece of equipment and you are going to cheap out and calibrate it wrong? You should always calibrate to as close to the target as you can. It is like calibrating a PH monitor with 10.1 fluid when you can get 8.5. when I calibrate mine with RO/DI and then with the 53 ms solution it reads high so I have do calibrate it back down. Good luck though.

 

[kimoy]

I got mine from ebay. cheaer but it works fine fo me.

 

[SlowCobra]

I calibrate mine with RODI, nothing but corals growing in my tank. EVolley can confirm that. He was here last night and took a bunch of frags home with him.

 

[fatmtbiker]

http://www.aquariumguys.com/almo-sybon-refractometer.html

This one comes with the fluid. Extra fluid only $3. Is sybon a good brand?

 

[fatmtbiker]

Anybody know if you can get an all in one unit for all testing that needs to be done to water that is electronic? I have the liquid ones for amonia, nitrates, nitrites..... and now getting the refractometer. Sounds like something that would be available.

 

[Jeff]

I have a bottle of calibration fluid that anybody can come and use for free anytime they want to calibrate their refractometer.

 

[BlakDuc]

Slow Cobra, I might believe you too for some frags.

I have the fluid also that anyone can come use for free as well. I will even show you how to calibrate it(not that its hard or anything).

 

[~ChrisB~]

I dont think anyone is trying to "cheap out". I can honestly say I have never heard of calibrating an optical refractometer with calibration fluid. I have used this for the probe type monitors.

 

[SlowCobra]

WARNING: Thread hijack in progress! :eek2:







Here is a slide show of my RODI calibrated tank. 4 year old point and shoot camera. Obviously I haven't cleaned the glass. Inside or out.