Trailermann Posted September 2, 2017 Author Share Posted September 2, 2017 For all those who followed along on my excruciating journey to solved the salt mix problem, I can now confirm that my refractometer calibration fluid was the culprit. I suspected that there was an easy answer, and I finally found it. Now to carefully and slowly bring my display water up to the right level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 Glad to hear you tracked it down. Hopefully it will be smooth sailing from here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xmas_one Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 How the heck did the calibration fluid get off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonas503 Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 When I ordered my refractometor it came with the wrong calibration fluid. Had same problem you did. I used rodi to calibrate and worked perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlu_gt Posted September 2, 2017 Share Posted September 2, 2017 I've tried DIY refractometer calibration fluid from below link. Instead of using measuring cups, I purchased a digital kitchen weight accurate to 0.01g but max at 500g (~1lb). Seems to work very well. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php#18 In case anyone is interested in the digital weight scale: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B4KX6JQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailermann Posted September 3, 2017 Author Share Posted September 3, 2017 Don't know how the fluid was so bad. Maybe it has been off since I bought it a while ago. With Jeff's suggestion, I as now using distilled water to get a zero reading. Wondering if the commercial fluid set at 1.035 is more accurate or dependable? Wait, I just followed danlu_gt's link to Reefkeeper's article on refractometers. And then it occurred to me that I simply misread the meter's instructions. I was adjusting the meter to 1.035 rather than 1.026. Stupidly mislead by the reference to 35ppt. That mistake obviously is what lead me to weeks of frustration and weeks of harmful display tank conditions. Un-frigging-believable! But in my defense, why is there a continual reference to 35 ppt? Is there any instrument that measures in this way? I think I should just forget about it and move on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vance164 Posted September 12, 2017 Share Posted September 12, 2017 My refractometer shows both ppt and specific gravity and it is easier to look at the ppt side for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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