So I started my tank back in mid October. Since then I have added two clownfish, purple fire fish, and a swallowtail. About three weeks ago my fire fish died. Being a newbie i wanted to see if I was doing something wrong. I went and got my water tested at my LFS. The salinity was 1.030. All along my refractometer was saying 1.024. I recalibrated the meter as per the manual and have been checking my salinity daily. I have recalibrated the meter weekly before my water change and have targeted the water to be at 1.024. Today I'm having issues with my swallowtail with her looking like she is blind. I went and got my water tested at my LFS. The salinity is at 1.030. So now I'm confused. I went and bought a hydrometer. The salinity was at 1.030. Anyone ever seen this. Am I wrong or do I have a bad refractometer?
Red Sea Refractometer
- Thread starter MyFirst
- Start date
Civicman86
New member
What are you calibrating with? You need 35pt cslibration fkuid to insure its correct.
According to the Red Sea manual. It instructs to use DI. So that what I have been using.
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Civicman86
New member
I would use the 35pt fluid. I habe heard people using di watwr as well but this may be causing your swing. You can get it cheap from bulkreefsupply
Knighthawk
New member
+1 on the cal fluid. When you calibrate to 0 you have a way bigger margin for error.
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MicroReefTank
New member
Hi I am new in this hobby but I use to check my water Refractometer but when I have some doubts about it's calibration I use a densimeter. It's a cheap tool and making the conversion to the water temperature I think we can get a good measure
MicroReefTank
New member
Hi I am new in this hobby but I use to check my water Refractometer but when I have some doubts about it's calibration I use a densimeter. It's a cheap tool and making the conversion to the water temperature I think we can get a good measure
LQT
Active member
The problem with the Red Sea refractometer is that it is terrible at holding calibration. Make sure you calibrate it before every use. Then for good measure, after you get your salinity reading, verify it again with the calibration fluid to make sure it didn't drift. I've had times where it would literally lose calibration between tests conducted 3 minutes apart! After being frustrated by one for years, I finally got rid of it and now use a Milwaukee digital refractometer.
thelawnwrangler
New member
Such an accurate post. I got to the point when I was making saltwalter I would calibrate it 3-4 times
I ended up buying a cheaper refactormeter and I am happy.
I think Red Sea is supposedly a really nice instrument, but in terms of practicality it just none existent. Also I got salinity fluid to calibrate with. I know they say calibrate with DI, but I just didn't have success with that.
Are you sure that is the only reason you salinity is increasing? Do you have auto top with your fresh water?
thelawnwrangler
New member
Always have to ask - I am telling you that red sea if you calibrate multiple times works, but really have to keep testing. It was so frustrating. Try not to bump it, and be very gentle. I remember I would be testing to get water change salt water right. You get a number that doesn't make sense, and having to re calibrate.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pinpoint-salinity-calibration-fluid.html
