Tolerance value of the FluoroSense?
The FluoroSense will read between +/- 5% for tolerance of variability. Users that buy the product should do their own calibration to reflect measurements taken for their specific applications. From that point, it is based entirely on the liquid standards used to allow the product to calibrate and then measure against the standard to see if it is within +/- 5%. Deviations from the machine readings can also tell you if your liquid standard is expired considering if the repeated readings result in an average and standard deviation that are consistent as well as different from what you know the concentration to be at.
Can the FluoroSense read for macrophytes or plants?
Our FluoroSense can read for macrophytes or plants, not just algae. However, that would be a customer designed application rather than something that we normally suggest for utilizing these instruments. Our best suggestion would be cases such as reading the chlorophyll in leaves to see if there are differences in values for an example application of fertilized vs unfertilized. If reading in water-which is the FluoroSense’s intended usage, it can give the customer a visualization of: Yes there is an abundance of chlorophyll or no there is not with the scale from 0-199 ug/L. The instrument was designed for quick measurements only. Anything comprehensive would need to be verified with additional methodology. Especially if you intend to do a study of ecological degradation and determination of the total submerged macrophyte richness in water.
What is the maximum range of the FluoroSense?
The FluoroSense is a low-cost unit that measures chlorophyll from 0-199 µg/L or phycocyanin from 0-199 µg/L.
How many batteries does the FluoroSense need?
The FluoroSense runs off two AA batteries which are replaceable.
What do the two buttons on FluoroSense do?
The two buttons on the FluoroSense are mainly for calibration which is simple to run and only has very few functions like on/off and read.
Can I use the FluoroSense to read extracted solutions?
The FluoroSense can only be used to measure living algae, not extracted solutions. Additionally, avoid putting the FluoroSense in any strong solvents as that will degrade the sensor and housing.
Couldn’t I calibrate the Fluorosense Phycocyanin to a solution greater than Rhodamine 200 ppb?
For the application of FluoroSense phycocyanin reading, it is advisable to use Rhodamine 200 ppb as the calibration solution. Though you can use a concentration greater than 200 ppb with the Rhodamine calibration solution, we have not made correlations. Our current test is that when Rhodamine 200 ppb is used to calibrate the FluoroSense phycocyanin it is equivalent to 100 ug/L.
How does Calibration and solution readings work for FluoroSense chlorophyll?
To help explain FluoroSense Chlorophyll calibration, let me present a scenario. Say you used the 800 ppb Rhodamine as your high standard. Calibration reading will set that value as 100 ug/L whenever it sees a similar concentration of 800 ppb. So, you should expect your reading to be near half (reading of 50) when measuring something at Rhodamine WT 400 ppb or ¼ when the FluoroSense is reading something at 200 ppb.
Why is there a line that says do not submerge past this point on the FluoroSense?
Everything below the line on the FluoroSense instrument can be submerged into the water. Having the instrument be submerged past this point will put the instrument at risk to having water enter and ruining the integrity of the electronics inside.
I want to know if the FluoroSense can be used in high saline environments?
It is okay to use the FluoroSense in high saline environments as long as you rinse it down with clean tap water afterwards