any one in san diego have some Refratctometer calibration fluid?

[bryanmc1988]

well names bryan and i'm new here and just wanted to know if there was anyone here in san diego around the city heights area 92115 that has some Refratctometer calibration fluid (35ppt) that they can share with me so i can used to test my Refratctometer calibration fluid that i will be mixing and would like to know if my Refratctometer is on point before i make the wrong fluid... I dont need a lot just a little to test and compare the fluid when i make it.



also would it be the same if i went to the beach and get sea water and used that as a Refratctometer calibration fluid ? would it be the same?

[Duke4130]

Don't use the calibration fluid. Just use RO water and calibrate at zero. I had a bad experience with that fluid before and was running my tank at 1.030 when the refractometer was calibrated at 1.026.

[ChouDawg]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but water from Scripps should be 35PPT or any ocean water for that matter, maybe not something too close to freshwater sources but I doubt it would matter. Another way you can make a 35ppt calibration solution is with table salt and rodi water. You just want to make a solution that is 35ppt salt to water, here's a good article I've used in the past:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/

Tbh I've used RODI and 35PPT solutions and both give me the same results but its good to cross check from time to time, also some refractometers MUST be calibrated using 35PPT solution not RO/DI so just a heads up.

[bryanmc1988]

so i can just used RO or DI water to calibrate? or does it have to be 50/50 ro and di water?

[ChouDawg]

You want to use RO/DI only if you're calibrating to 0, you should really not be using RO only water for anything but drinking. Like I mentioned you can use RO/DI to zero it out, which I and others have done before but some refractometers are not made to be calibrated that way which is why it is best to check your measurements with multiple points, i.e: the 35PPT DIY solution or natural seawater.

[bryanmc1988]

how would i mix to get the 35ppt solution? how many grams of table salt for ml of DI water?


also what brand of ro/di water is there that i can find locally ?


sorry noob questions here, first time doing this xD

[h20poloman]

how would i mix to get the 35ppt solution? how many grams of table salt for ml of DI water?


also what brand of ro/di water is there that i can find locally ?


sorry noob questions here, first time doing this xD

You should be topping off your tank with RO/DI water. You can either make your own with an RO/DI unit or buy it at one of the LFS. AW sells it I believe for 30 cents a gallon

[unbereefable]

I always cross check both rodi and 35ppt. But now I'm lazy and use a Milwaukee digital refractometer.