Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid

rmlevasseur · 02-24-2008, 01:14 AM

I just bought some Pinpoint salinity fluid to calibrate my refractometer. On the bottle it say 53.0mS. Does anyone know what that equates to?

vdituri · 02-24-2008, 01:17 AM

Too funny.
Same thing here.

<EDIT>
I think I made a stupid mistake. I'm guessing this fluid is for the digital salinity meters that test electrical conductivity to set salinity? Not refractometers?
I think on that note, I'm going to bed.

rmlevasseur · 02-24-2008, 01:26 AM

I'm pretty sure the site where I bought it said "great for calibrating refractometers", lol.

Boomer · 02-24-2008, 01:27 AM

Are you sure you guys want to know what that means

As far as it what equates to 53mS = 35 ppt NSW Salinity = 1.0265 SG

You put a drop on the refract and turn the calibtation screw until it reads 35 ppt or 1.0264.

It must be refract month again or something

vdituri · 02-24-2008, 01:31 AM

I didn't want to post Boomer, I really didn't, but I've been Googling my heart out and still hadn't run into it. lol
I had your name squarely in my PM cross hairs twice, but didn't hit send.
Didn't want to be a pest.

I'm a dunce and I admit it.

Once again, I'm not worthy!

On a bright note, I did make sure the solution is at the same temp as the tank? Do I get any points for that?

Boomer · 02-24-2008, 02:22 AM

Well Vick, since you are Googling, look for the keywords Conductvity, Salinity and Salinity Equation of State. Then you can come back an attemp to explain it

On a bright note, I did make sure the solution is at the same temp as the tank? Do I get any points for that?

Nope, your meter is ATC correct ? But it is better to be safe and do it that way so you get some points

Boomer · 02-24-2008, 02:26 AM

I forgot

<EDIT>
I'm guessing this fluid is for the digital salinity meters that test electrical conductivity to set salinity? Not refractometers?

Correct

So you were on a roll. However, the solution in the bottle is nothing but seawater, so you can use it for either, to include a hydrometer if you have enough

vdituri · 02-25-2008, 11:38 AM

Since after recalibrating my refractometer with the pinpoint solution I was only off .01 I must not have been too crazy to use distilled water to calibrate to 1.00.

Not trying to beat a dead horse I promise. Unless this horse should have been dead a long time ago.

BigAl07 · 02-25-2008, 11:54 AM

Bad dead horse! Very BAD!!

tbittner · 02-25-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdituri

Since after recalibrating my refractometer with the pinpoint solution I was only off .01 I must not have been too crazy to use distilled water to calibrate to 1.00.

Not trying to beat a dead horse I promise. Unless this horse should have been dead a long time ago.

Are you sure you didn't mean .001?

Being off .01 is really bad. That's 1.024 compared to 1.034 for instance.

althea2you · 02-25-2008, 02:59 PM

now, i want to ask a Q... i asked my LFS... mmhmmm... thats why im here!

i asked if they had a fluid to calibrate my refractometer, and they said i didnt need it, just use ro water and do whatever to t till it reads zero's... ????

vdituri · 02-25-2008, 03:51 PM

Terry,
Sorry, missplaced a decimal.

Yes, .001. Not too shabby.
The hydrometer was off by .005. Had my salinity pretty high.

Althea, the only problem with using RO water is you never know how old the filter membrane is and there is still stuff in RO water that is why people add the (DI) Deioniezing filters. That is why I used distilled.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbittner

Are you sure you didn't mean .001?

Being off .01 is really bad. That's 1.024 compared to 1.034 for instance.

rmlevasseur · 02-25-2008, 04:06 PM

I used distilled water and I was still pretty far off.

Woodstock · 02-25-2008, 04:25 PM

As mentioned in Boomer's previous posts, calibrating a inexpensive refractometer with ro/di water is not helpful if you plan on using the refractometer to measure seawater.

Always calibrate your refractometers using the pinpoint 53 mS fluid. The fluid is very inexpensive and it only takes a minute or two to calibrate the unit.

althea2you · 02-25-2008, 04:28 PM

ok! will do! seemed odd to use ro/di water so your refraco will measure the saltwater..

haha! thanks for clearing it up for me!

02-24-2008, 01:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
rmlevasseur Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 926 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid I just bought some Pinpoint salinity fluid to calibrate my refractometer. On the bottle it say 53.0mS. Does anyone know what that equates to? __________________ Robert http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ufas-tank.html

02-24-2008, 01:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,725 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid Too funny. Same thing here. <EDIT> I think I made a stupid mistake. I'm guessing this fluid is for the digital salinity meters that test electrical conductivity to set salinity? Not refractometers? I think on that note, I'm going to bed. __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

02-24-2008, 01:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
rmlevasseur Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 926 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid I'm pretty sure the site where I bought it said "great for calibrating refractometers", lol. __________________ Robert http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ufas-tank.html

02-24-2008, 01:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,072 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid Are you sure you guys want to know what that means As far as it what equates to 53mS = 35 ppt NSW Salinity = 1.0265 SG You put a drop on the refract and turn the calibtation screw until it reads 35 ppt or 1.0264. It must be refract month again or something __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

02-24-2008, 01:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,725 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid I didn't want to post Boomer, I really didn't, but I've been Googling my heart out and still hadn't run into it. lol I had your name squarely in my PM cross hairs twice, but didn't hit send. Didn't want to be a pest. I'm a dunce and I admit it. Once again, I'm not worthy! On a bright note, I did make sure the solution is at the same temp as the tank? Do I get any points for that? __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

02-24-2008, 02:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,072 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid Well Vick, since you are Googling, look for the keywords Conductvity, Salinity and Salinity Equation of State. Then you can come back an attemp to explain it On a bright note, I did make sure the solution is at the same temp as the tank? Do I get any points for that? Nope, your meter is ATC correct ? But it is better to be safe and do it that way so you get some points __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

02-24-2008, 02:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,072 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid I forgot <EDIT> I'm guessing this fluid is for the digital salinity meters that test electrical conductivity to set salinity? Not refractometers? Correct So you were on a roll. However, the solution in the bottle is nothing but seawater, so you can use it for either, to include a hydrometer if you have enough __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

02-25-2008, 11:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,725 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid Since after recalibrating my refractometer with the pinpoint solution I was only off .01 I must not have been too crazy to use distilled water to calibrate to 1.00. Not trying to beat a dead horse I promise. Unless this horse should have been dead a long time ago. __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

02-25-2008, 11:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,619 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid Bad dead horse! Very BAD!! __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

02-25-2008, 02:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
althea2you Padawan Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,426 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid now, i want to ask a Q... i asked my LFS... mmhmmm... thats why im here! i asked if they had a fluid to calibrate my refractometer, and they said i didnt need it, just use ro water and do whatever to t till it reads zero's... ???? __________________ ~Sarah~ How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours. ~Wayne Dyer 28g Nano The 90 Gallon

02-25-2008, 04:06 PM	#13 (permalink)
rmlevasseur Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 926 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid I used distilled water and I was still pretty far off. __________________ Robert http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ufas-tank.html

02-25-2008, 04:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,861 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid As mentioned in Boomer's previous posts, calibrating a inexpensive refractometer with ro/di water is not helpful if you plan on using the refractometer to measure seawater. Always calibrate your refractometers using the pinpoint 53 mS fluid. The fluid is very inexpensive and it only takes a minute or two to calibrate the unit. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

02-25-2008, 04:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
althea2you Padawan Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,426 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Calibrating Refractometer with Pinpoint Fluid ok! will do! seemed odd to use ro/di water so your refraco will measure the saltwater.. haha! thanks for clearing it up for me! __________________ ~Sarah~ How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours. ~Wayne Dyer 28g Nano The 90 Gallon

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)