Help Calibrating Tmc V2 Refractometer

[jeasko]

Just got through my v2 refractometer and read the instructions for calibrating it, while it says to use distilled water (dont have any to hand) I was wondering if i could use normal RO as this IMO is just as pure as distilled water, but before I go ahead and do so thought id ask the question on here to see what people thought.

 

[Crazy fishes]

It is best to follow manufacturers instructions when doing any form of calibrating. Car battery top up water is distilled just go and buy some of that; it is not too pricey. Saying that I have calibrated mine using RO and touch wood no problems yet...... I think the difference in salinity produced is not that significant as the live stock has a range of salinity as opposed to a fixed absolute value.

Hope this helps

Regards

 

[xxBarneyxx]

I would imagine that given the inaccuracy of hobby level refractometers using RO or DI water wont make a great deal of difference (just a guess on my part though).

The best way to calibrated it would be with a known solution. If you have a look in the realm of knowledge thread (i think) there is a link in there to how to make calibration solution.

I personally use DI water (but only because I have an RO/DI unit) and while it means I probably havent got an accurate reading I have not had any problems (think its probably more important to keep it consistant rather than bang on any set figure).

 

[seffieuk]

Just buy some Di water from the supermarket - they sell it for putting in irons, costs pennies sure I remember Ski saying somewhere that you should use DI and not RO

Seffie x

 

[stevenufc]

i have one of these and i use RO water have done for the last year with no detremental effect on my tank

hope that helps

 

[jeasko]

cheers guys for the replies


It seems there are some margin for errors with these things anywya so using RO really is not going to cause me a great problem and have decided to use RO, should i get the opportunity (harder to get distilled water than it used to be) i'll get some and double check to see if there is any dfference in calibartion with RO and distilled.

 

[andywg]

Use this - it will make your refractometer much more accurate

 

[SkiFletch]

Use this - it will make your refractometer much more accurate

Totally agree

 

[jeasko]

will make some up but want to double check that the salt this guy uses is firstly just on type as his article refers to mortons iodized salt then salt so is this just one type of salt or 2?

1. Measure ¼ cup of Morton's Iodized Salt (about 73.1 g)
2. Add 1 teaspoon of salt (making about 79.3 g total salt)
3. Measure the full volume of a plastic 2-L Coke or Diet Coke bottle filled with purified freshwater (about 2104.4 g)
4. Dissolve the total salt (79.3 g) in the total water volume (2104 g) to make an approximately 3.65 weight percent solution of NaCl. The volume of this solution will be slightly larger than the Coke bottle, so dissolve it in another container.

 

[SkiFletch]

He means the total volume of Iodized salt should be 1/4 cup plus 1tsp both of the same salt.

Make sense?