South Florida Beach Water to Calibrate Refractometer

[AJtheReefer]

What are you using to calibrate your refractometer?

I've been using beach water from around here. It is OK to assume the local sea water is at 35ppm (1.0265)?

I think my refractometer is working fine, but would like some confirmation since I'm starting hypo on a new arrival.

Thanks

 

[nyvp]

no its not. I have Nsw delivered to my house and it changes all the time. They sell a test vial at some lfs's I would use that instead then you know for sure.

 

[AJtheReefer]

Thanks for responding

do you know of any local store where I can find some calibration solutions?

 

[ReefWreak]

I believe there was some that Pat had at ReefLife.

 

[newreefbishop]

Jeff, thanks for helping me get mine calibrated....and dont worry about the screw driver remember what i do for a living i have 15-20 screw drivers small enough to fit.

 

[AJtheReefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10014974#post10014974 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nyvp
no its not. I have Nsw delivered to my house and it changes all the time. They sell a test vial at some lfs's I would use that instead then you know for sure.

I forgot to ask. . . What is the range that you have seen on the NSW? Have you seen large swings of .002 or more? (i.e. 1.025 to 1.027)

 

[Bullredchaser]

Its been running this week around 1.029-1.030

 

[ek9vboi]

Get a bottle, I should as well next time I go. Its handy when you think its off, mine was a little off when I checked at the meet.

 

[bawla47]

newreefbishop, i think you mean joe, not jeff

i saw you said it in another thread also, both good guys in my book

 

[NanoKat]

Yeah, and those of us that use natural sea water for our water changes were seeing a steady climb in our salinity! Oops! That's what I get for not checking it too. Apparently the sea water salinity has been steadily increasing of late because of so little runoff from Florida with our lack of rainfall. So now I am checking the water I am doing the change with and diluting with r/o to make my goal salinity.

 

[AJtheReefer]

OK. I just got the salifert calibration solution from reeflife.

My refractometer was low, sea water testing around 1.028

I calibrated with the solution at 35ppm. Is that what you are supposed to do? the bottle reads 35 PSU. Never seen the PSU term before.

I'll be lowering salinity on my QT to hypo a tang and a dottyback.

Thanks

 

[Tennsquire]

PSU = "Practical Salinity Units" (which is interchangable with ppt). If you ever need to make your own salinity standard solution, here's a good article that makes a fairly accurrate solution: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php