hydrometer warning

[125reefer]

i wonder if this was ever announced here.i got a refractometer the other day and i calibrated it this morning with distilled water as the instructions said.i looked into the eye piece using the sun as the light source and zeroed it in like it said.checked the sylinity and it was at 1.026.so tonight i made some water for a water change and i got a 1.030 reading using a 13 w energy saver bulb.what on earth.so i took it to the bathroom where i have a 60 watt soft white bulb and got 1.031 reading.so i got the distilled water out checked that and it wasnt zeroed in anymore.so for all those who might have bought one used or didnt read the instructions different light sources give the refractometer different readings.as the instructions say use natural light to check water salinity please.

 

[afernandez]

hydrometers suck! invest in a refractometer u wont regret it.

 

[125reefer]

damn i messed up i meant refractometer.can modes chage for me please

 

[Triple R]

i knew what he meant bc a hydrometer you dont need light

 

[afernandez]

i cant read either :lol2: on another note it has never happend to me. then again i calibrate it every week

 

[pauliwalnuts]

I calibrate it when I use it. Temperature also causes it to give different readings.

 

[jr973]

i calibrate it when i use it. Temperature also causes it to give different readings.

+1

 

[InfernoST]

I had that problem with a refractometer (I bought the cheaper one) I got from Foster and Smith, I returned it and paid the difference for the more expensive one (Vital signs). I haven't had any problems with the Vital sign unit for the year that I have it. I only had to adjust it the first time when I calibrated it, everytime I go to calibrate it I find it to still be holding its adjustment. You should pick up a bottle of Pinpoint calibration fluid, calibrate it using the fluid then test the refractometer with RO water, it should come up 0. As Pauliwalnuts indicated temperature plays a big role on how the unit performs, I take mine out of the case and let it get to room temperature before each use.

 

[createdlight]

I only been using rodi water for calibation is this wrong?

 

[KathyC]

I only been using rodi water for calibation is this wrong?

Best to use calibration fluid, if you have none then you should use distilled water.