Refractometer question?

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by crustytheclown, Jan 12, 2011.

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  1. crustytheclown

    crustytheclown Eyelash Blennie

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    ok does anyone elses refractometer not have a clear, distinct line between the blue and white fields? Mine has a weird grey area, "so to speak", right where the to fields meet. I have been calibrating it to either the top of this "grey area" of the bottom and remembering which one. So that when i use it with saltwater i know how to read the salinty. Its really strange:confused:, i mean i think its way more accurate than a swing arm but it seems that it could be off by +/- .001
     
    crustytheclown, Jan 12, 2011
    crustytheclown, Jan 12, 2011
    #1

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  2. Zoanthids21

    Zoanthids21 McKoscker’s Flasher Wrasse

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    Being off by .1 isnt THAT bad....I mean, mine is off by 1 point or so too. But its better then being COMPLETELY OFF like 8 points hahaha(swing arm)
     
    Zoanthids21, Jan 12, 2011
    Zoanthids21, Jan 12, 2011
    #2
  3. evolved

    evolved Wrasse Freak

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    This can happen if you have precipitate or something else undissolved in the water you are testing.
     
    evolved, Jan 12, 2011
    evolved, Jan 12, 2011
    #3
  4. crustytheclown

    crustytheclown Eyelash Blennie

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    i know, its just you think it would be accurate for $50
     
    crustytheclown, Jan 12, 2011
    crustytheclown, Jan 12, 2011
    #4
  5. Bloodkip

    Bloodkip Ritteri Anemone

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    You paid $50?, I paid $27.
     
    Bloodkip, Jan 12, 2011
    Bloodkip, Jan 12, 2011
    #5
  6. unclejed

    unclejed Whip-Lash Squid

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    Try loooking directly into a bright light source and see if that helps.
     
    unclejed, Jan 12, 2011
    unclejed, Jan 12, 2011
    #6

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  7. Seano Hermano

    Seano Hermano Giant Squid

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    Min was about $46 from FS Aquatics. Sometimes I see a fuzziness straight across the glass b/w the two fields. I try to get my SG level, just in the middle.
     
    Seano Hermano, Jan 12, 2011
    Seano Hermano, Jan 12, 2011
    #7
  8. Seano Hermano

    Seano Hermano Giant Squid

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    +1 to this.
     
    Seano Hermano, Jan 12, 2011
    Seano Hermano, Jan 12, 2011
    #8
  9. PetMother

    PetMother Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    Ya I didn't realize how nasty off they were until I got my refractometer. I have to double check my readings, caibrate again and checked a few times more because I couldn't believe it was off THAT much. :-X
     
    PetMother, Jan 12, 2011
    PetMother, Jan 12, 2011
    #9
  10. Zoban

    Zoban Skunk Shrimp

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    50? 27? Crap .. up here they are 80-90+

    Bright light seems to work best .
     
    Zoban, Jan 12, 2011
    Zoban, Jan 12, 2011
    #10
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