MarineDepot's $39.99 refractometer ... anyone own it?

I have that same model. Great instrument. Hey Scott, thanks for the link to the calibration fluid. I had no idea. Just bought a bottle. K+.

 

Can someone tell me what the bottle is calibrated to?? I also bought the same unit and fluid....from what I read its actually fluid for a pinpoint moniter and not the refractomenter....? From what I researched its converts to 35ppm that is when the fluid is at 77 degrees ? I recently had my salinity tested at LFS and it was LOW..but refract said it was 5 points higher then LFS...so I must not have calibrated it corectly or was using the wrong numbers .35ppm ??

 

I use plain R/O(oppm) water to calibrate the meter. Luna

 

How important is it to calibrate at exactly 68 degrees?

I'm having some pretty substantial discrepancies between yesterday and today.

Now the refractometer is .003 higher than the hydrometer. Which puts me at 1.025.

 

It is pinpoint calibration fluid. I am getting this stuff tomorrow as I have also been calibrating with water and want to see if their is a difference.
Adam

 

i have that model, works perfect.

 

Let me know how that works out, please?

Tomorrow I'm going to take a sample to the LFS for comparison.

 

I took my calibration fluid I bought from them to LFS today and found out the salinity is actually 1.020 not 1.026 as stated .....they figure i got a bad batch ??? so my salinity went to 1.018 and I lost my first coral! It was reading 1.023 for weeks ( 5 points low ) ....and the fish didn't mind the drop i guess...so when i put my forst coral in the tank ( Frog Spawn ) it never opened ...when i went to LFS to see if he had any ideas...he tested the salinity and saw how low it was ...I came home and checked the meter...1.023.....I recalibrated at 77 degrees as required ... and it still tested at 1.023....took the actual fluid to LFS tested at 1.018 !!!

I recalibrated at his shop...with his water ....came home and its spot on....

Be careful!!!!

 

Thanks all!

 

When I bought mine at the LFS, they calibrated it for me. So, far it's been on the money. Just like any other medical grade equipment I would treat as if it was crystal. After each use I rinse in clean water, dry, & put it carefully back in it's case.