FREE TDS & Refractometer Calibration!!

[BeakerBob]

If you are going to the MASM Swap tomorrow (April 17, 2011), bring your TDS meter and refractometer for a free calibration.

I will be calibrating the meters with accurate & precise calibration standards with a 35ppt saline standard and Tom from CalmSeasQuest will be providing the TDS meter and calibration standard.

Even if you use a swing arm or hydrometer, it can be calibrated! If you bring it in, I will calibrate or provide the offset correction so that you can accurately measure your salinity and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) for your tank.

Check it out....I will be manning the MASM Swap Calibration Station table

[MizTanks]

Awesome service Bod!

[AJ :)]

Thanks! I'll be bringing ine along for sure!

[Sir Patrick]

I will surely be in line! Very cool guys.

[Sir Patrick]

Thx guys! Surprisingly mine were spot on. Big relief to be sure!

[jolson10450]

thanks again guys! mine was just a hair off thanks for the quick adjust!

[fenwick]

Thanks BeakerBob for adjusting my refractors and tds meter!

[BeakerBob]

Here was the breakdown of the refractometer calibration station:

Total refractometers tested: 22

Number out of calibration: 12

Number calibrated: 11

Number unfixable: 1

Number of broken ones: 4

Number <1.026 (Cal. Fluid Std.): 8

Number >1.026: 4

Most common refractometer problems:

1) Most (15) refractometers had the same issue: the clear plastic cover hinge was rusted. This is probably due to not rinsing it off after use with RODI water and not drying it off. I suspect that they were placed back into their sealed plastic boxes until the next use. The plastic box retains the moisture and promotes hinge rusting.

2) Several refractometers had the top clear plastic cover completely broken off. While not the best working condition, it still allows for measurement.

3) One refractometer was completely broken: the eyepiece lens did not allow for clear or sharp reading of the interface or scales and the adjustment screw did not work..

4) One swingarm was brought in to check and it was reasonably accurate. However, it took several taps of the casing to get the swingarm to float properly. The biggest problems with swingarms is that they must be rinsed well with RODI water to get rid of the salt/mineral deposits and bubbles, and they do not correct for temperature.


Three TDS Meters were brought in for checking.

Number > calibration fluid: 2

Number < calibration fluid: 1

NOTE: The TDS meters were only slightly out of calibration. In reality, the main testing range is 0 - 10. You can accept RODI within this range as the reading will increase dramatically when the filters or membrane goes bad.

I would like to thank MASM for having the Calibration Station available at the MASM Swap and Tom (CalmSeasQuest) for bringing in his TDS Meter and TDS fluids.

HANDOUTS: HERE is the link to get a copy of instructions on the care and use of the refractometer and TDS Meter.