Specifications

Application

Aquaculture Applications

In aquaculture, salinity is one of the most critical water parameters, especially when raising saltwater species such as shrimp, tilapia, sea bass, or mollusks. Fish and crustaceans rely on osmoregulation – the process of maintaining a balance of salt and water in their bodies – to survive and thrive. Even small changes in salinity can impact growth rates, immune function, and overall health.

Why Salinity Monitoring Matters in Aquaculture:

Optimal Growth & Reproduction
Most marine and brackish species have a preferred salinity range. For example, shrimp larvae may require lower salinity than adult shrimp, and spawning conditions might differ from grow-out stages. Accurate control ensures faster growth, better feed conversion, and higher reproductive success.

Disease Prevention
Stress caused by fluctuating salinity levels can weaken the immune system of fish and invertebrates, making them more susceptible to bacterial or parasitic infections. Stable salinity helps reduce mortality and the need for medication.

Water Quality Management
In recirculating systems or open ponds, salinity may shift due to evaporation, rainfall, or water exchange. Regular monitoring allows fish farmers to respond quickly – adding freshwater or seawater to rebalance the environment before problems arise.

Cost Efficiency
Healthy fish grow faster, require less medication, and lead to better yields. Monitoring salinity accurately with a digital refractometer helps you avoid costly setbacks and optimize production.

How to Use the Milwaukee MA887 in Aquaculture

Using the MA887 is fast, easy, and doesn’t require any special lab skills. Here's how to do it step by step:

Step 1: Prepare Your Sample

·       Use a clean pipette or dropper to collect a small sample (approx. 100 µL) of the tank water.

·       Avoid bubbles or contaminants – take water from mid-depth, not the surface.

Step 2: Place the Sample

·       Open the MA887's stainless steel cover plate.

·       Place 1–2 drops of the water sample onto the prism surface.

Step 3: Close the Cover

·       Gently close the transparent cover plate to spread the sample evenly over the prism without air bubbles.

Step 4: Take the Reading

·       Press the READ button.

·       The device will automatically compensate for temperature and display results in ppt, PSU, or Specific Gravity (20/20) – whichever unit you prefer.

Step 5: Clean the Prism

·       After measurement, rinse the prism and sample well with distilled or deionized water.

·       Gently dry with a lint-free cloth to keep the sensor clean and ready for the next use.

Tip: For best accuracy, perform periodic calibration with distilled water (just press the ZERO button with clean water on the prism).

Marine Aquariums & Reef Tanks

A thriving saltwater aquarium is a delicate ecosystem, where every parameter plays a role – and salinity is at the core. Whether you're keeping fish-only saltwater tanks or complex reef systems filled with SPS and LPS corals, maintaining the correct and stable salinity is crucial for the health of every living organism.

Why Salinity Matters in Reef Tanks:

Corals & Invertebrates Are Sensitive to Salinity Swings
Corals, shrimp, snails, and other invertebrates are highly sensitive to fluctuations. Even small changes in salinity can cause stress, coral bleaching, or osmotic shock. A stable salinity of around 1.025 specific gravity (35 ppt) is ideal for most reef aquariums.

Saltwater Fish Health & Osmoregulation
Saltwater fish regulate their internal fluids against the salinity of the water. If the salinity is too low or too high, fish can become stressed, lose appetite, or become more susceptible to disease.

Biological Filtration Stability
Beneficial bacteria that maintain the nitrogen cycle also rely on consistent salinity. Sudden changes can harm the bacterial population and cause spikes in ammonia or nitrite, threatening the entire tank.

Mixing Saltwater for Water Changes
Accurate salinity measurement is essential when mixing synthetic seawater. Matching the tank's salinity ensures a smooth transition for your inhabitants during water changes or top-offs.

The Milwaukee MA887 gives reef keepers digital precision – so there's no need to rely on inaccurate hydrometers or hard-to-read optical refractometers. With fast readings and automatic temperature compensation, you can confidently protect your underwater world.

How to Use the Milwaukee MA887 in Marine Aquariums & Reef Tanks

Step 1: Prepare Your Sample

·       Use a clean pipette or dropper to collect a small sample (100 µL is enough) from your tank or freshly mixed saltwater.

·       Try to avoid sampling near the surface, return pump, or bubbles – go for mid-water for the most accurate reading.

Step 2: Apply the Sample

·       Lift the cover of the refractometer.

·       Place 1–2 drops of the sample on the optical prism surface.

Step 3: Close and Read

·       Close the transparent cover gently to spread the liquid evenly.

·       Press the READ button.

·       The salinity will display in ppt, PSU, or Specific Gravity – whichever unit is most useful for you.

Step 4: Clean the Device

·       Rinse the prism with distilled or deionized water after each use.

·       Wipe dry with a soft, lint-free cloth to avoid scratches or salt deposits.

Reef tip: For best accuracy, calibrate the MA887 regularly using pure distilled water (press ZERO with distilled water on the prism).

Whether you’re nurturing rare corals or maintaining a vibrant community of marine life, the Milwaukee MA887 helps you keep salinity in check – ensuring your reef stays healthy, stable, and beautiful.

Laboratory Applications

Accurate and repeatable salinity measurement is a fundamental requirement in many scientific disciplines. Whether it’s for understanding ocean chemistry, assessing environmental impact, or analyzing water samples in a controlled lab setting, precision is non-negotiable.

The Milwaukee MA887 Digital Salinity Refractometer is a trusted tool in laboratories conducting research in marine biology, oceanography, aquaculture science, and environmental monitoring. Its digital design eliminates the human error and subjectivity associated with manual refractometers, offering consistent and reproducible results with high confidence.

Why It’s Ideal for Laboratory Use:

High Accuracy & Reproducibility
Scientific experiments demand precision. The MA887 provides salinity readings with an accuracy of ±2 ppt and automatic temperature compensation, ensuring reliable data across a range of conditions.

Multi-Unit Display
Laboratories working across different research fields often require readings in different units. The MA887 displays results in ppt (parts per thousand), PSU (Practical Salinity Units), and Specific Gravity (20/20) – making it versatile for multiple protocols.

Fast, Low-Volume Testing
Only a small sample (100 µL) is needed for a reading, making the MA887 ideal for limited or delicate sample sets, such as collected seawater from field sites or lab-based aquaculture experiments.

Consistent Measurements Across Multiple Users
Unlike optical refractometers, which rely on the user’s ability to interpret a scale, the MA887 delivers objective digital readouts – essential in team settings or long-term research.

Applications in Key Scientific Areas:

• Marine Biology: Studying the effects of salinity on marine organisms, coral growth, or larval development
• Oceanography: Monitoring ocean salinity profiles and analyzing water masses
• Environmental Science: Tracking salinity variations in estuaries, coastal regions, or brackish ecosystems
• Aquaculture Research: Studying optimal salinity conditions for breeding and growth of saltwater species

How to Use the Milwaukee MA887 in Laboratory Settings

Using the MA887 in the lab is quick and straightforward, supporting efficient workflows and precise testing.

Step 1: Sample Collection

·       Collect a water sample using a sterile pipette or sampling bottle.

·       For environmental studies, take care to document the source, depth, and temperature where the sample was taken.

Step 2: Apply the Sample

·       Open the cover plate of the refractometer.

·       Use a clean pipette to apply 1–2 drops (approx. 100 µL) of the sample to the prism surface.

Step 3: Initiate Reading

·       Close the transparent cover to distribute the liquid evenly.

·       Press the READ button. Results appear within seconds in the unit of your choice.

Step 4: Clean Between Samples

·       Rinse the sample well and prism thoroughly with distilled or deionized water after each reading.

·       Dry gently using a lint-free cloth or lab-grade tissue to prevent cross-contamination.

Step 5: Periodic Calibration

·       For accurate lab results, calibrate the instrument regularly using distilled water (press ZERO with clean water on the prism).

Tip: Record all readings in a lab notebook or digital database along with sample metadata for traceability and future comparison.

Whether you're in the field or at the lab bench, the Milwaukee MA887 offers researchers a dependable tool for fast, accurate, and repeatable salinity analysis – a small instrument with big impact in scientific discovery.

Saltwater Mixing & Preparation

Whether you’re maintaining a vibrant reef aquarium, running a marine hatchery, or conducting scientific experiments with synthetic seawater, accurate saltwater preparation is critical. The success of your system depends not just on mixing the right ingredients, but on precisely verifying the salinity of the final solution – every single time.

The Milwaukee MA887 Digital Salinity Refractometer takes the guesswork out of salt mixing, providing fast, accurate, and repeatable measurements to ensure your synthetic seawater meets the specific requirements of your marine environment.

Why Precision in Salt Mixing Matters:

Consistency in Water Changes
Regular water changes are vital for maintaining water quality and nutrient balance in marine aquariums. Even small deviations in salinity between the tank and newly mixed water can stress marine life, especially sensitive corals and invertebrates. The MA887 helps match salinity exactly before each change.

Synthetic Seawater for Research or Quarantine
In lab or quarantine settings, synthetic seawater must often be mixed to precise salinity specifications. Whether you're recreating oceanic conditions for coral research or adjusting salinity levels for fish acclimation, the MA887 ensures confidence in your mixing accuracy.

Safe & Effective Salt Dosing
Marine salts dissolve at different rates depending on brand, temperature, and water volume. Visual or float-based salinity testing tools can be imprecise – only a digital refractometer like the MA887 can verify when your solution is truly ready.

Reduced Waste and Cost
Overcompensating with extra salt or water can waste product and money. Accurate measurement allows for efficient use of marine salt without overshooting your target.

How to Use the Milwaukee MA887 for Saltwater Mixing

Mixing saltwater with confidence is easy with the MA887. Here’s how:

Step 1: Prepare Your Saltwater Mix

·       Use RO (reverse osmosis) or deionized water in a clean mixing container.

·       Add the appropriate amount of marine salt according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

·       Mix thoroughly with a powerhead or circulation pump for at least 30–60 minutes, or until all salt is fully dissolved and the water is clear.

Step 2: Collect a Sample

·       Use a clean pipette or dropper to collect a few drops of the mixed saltwater.

·       Ensure there are no air bubbles, debris, or undissolved salt in your sample.

Step 3: Apply the Sample

·       Open the MA887’s cover plate.

·       Place 1–2 drops of the sample onto the prism.

Step 4: Take the Reading

·       Close the cover gently to spread the sample.

·       Press the READ button. The result will appear in ppt, PSU, or Specific Gravity depending on your preferred unit.

Step 5: Adjust if Needed

·       If the salinity is too low, add more salt. If too high, dilute with RO/DI water.

·       Repeat testing after thorough mixing until the target salinity is reached (typically 1.025 SG or 35 ppt for reef aquariums).

Step 6: Clean and Store

·       Rinse the prism with distilled water after each test.

·       Wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth and store the refractometer in a dry place.

Pro Tip: Calibrate the MA887 periodically using distilled water (press ZERO) to ensure long-term accuracy – especially before mixing large batches.

Industrial Applications

In many industrial settings, precise salinity control is essential for efficiency, product quality, and equipment protection. Whether you’re producing brine for food processing, managing a desalination system, or ensuring the performance of a cooling tower, measuring salinity quickly and accurately can save time, prevent equipment damage, and ensure compliance with process standards.

The Milwaukee MA887 Digital Salinity Refractometer offers a fast, reliable, and user-friendly solution for salinity measurement in demanding industrial environments. Its digital precision, automatic temperature compensation, and rugged design make it a smart choice for technicians, operators, and quality control professionals.

Where It’s Used in Industry:

Brine Production & Food Processing
In industries like cheese making, pickling, or seafood preservation, brine concentration must be tightly controlled for product consistency, shelf life, and safety. The MA887 helps verify brine salinity before use or packaging, ensuring consistent results batch after batch.

Cooling Tower Water Treatment
In cooling towers near coastal areas, saltwater intrusion can affect water chemistry and corrosion rates. Monitoring salinity helps manage scaling, fouling, and corrosion inhibitors more effectively, optimizing system performance and reducing maintenance costs.

Desalination Plants
Salinity monitoring is vital for both intake water and output in desalination systems. Measuring salinity before and after reverse osmosis or distillation helps operators verify efficiency and ensure compliance with water quality standards.

Chemical & Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Some processes require salt concentrations to be within strict limits. The MA887 ensures accurate measurements in small sample volumes, without needing lab conditions or bulky equipment.

Industrial Wastewater Monitoring
Salinity levels in effluent streams must often meet environmental discharge regulations. With its portability and speed, the MA887 is a valuable field tool for quick checks on-site.

How to Use the Milwaukee MA887 in Industrial Settings

The MA887 is designed for simplicity and speed, making it ideal for busy industrial environments where downtime isn’t an option.

Step 1: Prepare Your Sample

·       Collect a small water or brine sample using a clean pipette or container.

·       Ensure the sample is homogeneous (fully mixed) and free of debris or suspended solids.

Step 2: Apply the Sample

·       Open the cover plate on the refractometer.

·       Use a clean pipette or dropper to apply 1–2 drops (approx. 100 µL) onto the optical prism.

Step 3: Read the Result

·       Close the cover gently to spread the sample evenly.

·       Press the READ button. The result will display in your selected unit – ppt, PSU, or Specific Gravity (20/20).

Step 4: Take Action Based on Reading

·       Use the reading to adjust salt dosing, verify process water, or check for contamination or drift.

·       For batch processes, document results for traceability or compliance.

Step 5: Clean the Refractometer

·       Rinse the prism with distilled or deionized water after each test.

·       Dry carefully with a soft, lint-free cloth to prevent buildup and ensure longevity.

Tip: Calibrate regularly using distilled water by pressing the ZERO button. For critical processes, daily calibration may be required.

From food-grade brine processing to industrial cooling systems, the Milwaukee MA887 is the go-to solution for professionals who demand fast, reliable, and accurate salinity control in real-world industrial applications.

Shrimp & Shellfish Farming

In shrimp and shellfish aquaculture, salinity isn’t just a parameter – it’s a critical part of life support. From hatchery to harvest, maintaining the right salinity helps ensure survival, growth, and overall quality of crustaceans like shrimp, oysters, mussels, and clams.

The Milwaukee MA887 Digital Salinity Refractometer gives hatchery managers, farm operators, and field technicians a fast, reliable, and portable tool for monitoring salinity with high accuracy. Whether you're adjusting tank conditions in a nursery or managing salinity in large outdoor grow-out ponds, the MA887 ensures your animals have a stable and optimized environment at every life stage.

Why Salinity Monitoring Is Critical in Crustacean Farming:

Sensitive Early Life Stages
Shrimp larvae and shellfish spat (juvenile forms) are especially vulnerable to salinity stress. Improper salinity can delay development or cause high mortality in hatcheries. The MA887 helps maintain consistent conditions for high survival rates.

Optimal Shell Formation
Salinity affects the availability of calcium and other minerals essential for shell hardening. Stable salinity supports strong exoskeleton formation, reducing deformities and vulnerability to disease.

Metabolic Regulation
Crustaceans osmoregulate (balance internal salts and fluids) based on the salinity of their environment. Fluctuations can disrupt feeding, molting, and immunity. Accurate testing allows you to adjust water parameters before stress impacts performance.

Pond Management & Harvest Planning
In grow-out systems – especially in semi-intensive and extensive farms – salinity can fluctuate due to evaporation, rainfall, or water exchange. Monitoring salinity helps optimize feed rates, growth cycles, and harvesting schedules.

How to Use the Milwaukee MA887 in Shrimp & Shellfish Aquaculture

Using the MA887 is quick and practical, ideal for both field and hatchery environments.

Step 1: Collect a Water Sample

·       Use a clean pipette, sampling cup, or syringe to take a small water sample from your tank, raceway, or pond.

·       For large ponds, sample from mid-depth away from aerators or feed areas to avoid skewed results.

Step 2: Apply the Sample

·       Open the MA887’s cover plate.

·       Place 1–2 drops of the sample (about 100 µL) directly onto the prism surface.

Step 3: Take the Reading

·       Gently close the transparent cover to spread the sample evenly.

·       Press the READ button.

·       View the result in ppt, PSU, or Specific Gravity (20/20) – use the unit that matches your management protocol.

Step 4: Take Corrective Action if Needed

·       Adjust salinity by adding freshwater or seawater as needed to reach the optimal range:

o   Shrimp larvae: typically 12–20 ppt depending on species

o   Grow-out shrimp: 10–35 ppt, depending on acclimation and strain

o   Oysters/mussels/clams: 15–30 ppt for best filter-feeding performance and shell formation

Step 5: Clean the Device

·       Rinse the prism with distilled or deionized water after each use.

·       Wipe dry with a lint-free cloth to prevent salt buildup or sample contamination.

Tip: Always calibrate the refractometer regularly with distilled water (press the ZERO button) for reliable results, especially when moving between sites.

The Milwaukee MA887 helps you maintain healthy salinity levels from hatchery tanks to harvest ponds – giving shrimp and shellfish the environment they need to grow strong, thrive, and deliver consistent yields.

Aquaponics (Salt-Tolerant Systems)

While most aquaponic systems are freshwater-based, there is growing interest in hybrid aquaponics that incorporate brackish or salt-tolerant species – such as tilapia, barramundi, or even saltwater shrimp – alongside specially selected halophytic plants (plants that tolerate or thrive in mildly salty water). In these systems, precise salinity management is vital to ensure the health of both aquatic and plant components.

The Milwaukee MA887 Digital Salinity Refractometer is an ideal tool for monitoring and adjusting salinity levels in these advanced systems. With accurate, real-time salinity readings, operators can fine-tune their water chemistry to support optimal growth, nutrient cycling, and system stability – balancing the needs of both fish and plants.

Why Salinity Monitoring Matters in Salt-Tolerant Aquaponics:

Balance Between Fish and Plants
While certain species of fish and crustaceans can tolerate elevated salinity, most plants have specific thresholds. Monitoring salinity helps maintain the delicate balance between what aquatic life requires and what plants can handle – usually in the range of 2–8 ppt, depending on the species.

System Stability
Hybrid systems can be affected by evaporation, top-ups with freshwater, or the buildup of salts from feed and supplements. The MA887 ensures consistency over time, helping prevent salinity creep and related health problems.

Species-Specific Optimization
In systems raising shrimp or euryhaline fish (those that can adapt to varying salinity), having the right salinity range is essential for feed conversion, growth rates, and overall health. For instance, some strains of tilapia grow best at mild brackish conditions (~5 ppt), while salt-tolerant crops like samphire or sea asparagus can also flourish in that range.

Efficient Water Reuse
As salinity levels shift over time, being able to measure and adjust accurately helps prolong water usability – reducing waste and supporting sustainability goals.

How to Use the Milwaukee MA887 in Aquaponics Systems

The MA887 makes salinity testing in aquaponics easy and reliable – even in mixed-use systems where precision is key.

Step 1: Sample Your System Water

·       Take a small sample (100 µL) from the grow bed, fish tank, or sump using a clean dropper or pipette.

·       For accurate representation, avoid taking water near the surface, bubbler, or water inlets.

Step 2: Apply the Sample

·       Open the MA887’s stainless steel cover plate.

·       Place 1–2 drops of system water onto the prism.

Step 3: Take the Reading

·       Close the cover gently to evenly distribute the sample.

·       Press the READ button.

·       The salinity will appear in your preferred unit: ppt, PSU, or Specific Gravity.

Step 4: Interpret the Results

·       For salt-tolerant aquaponics, ideal salinity ranges might be:

o   2–6 ppt for hybrid fish + plant systems (e.g. tilapia + sea kale)

o   6–10 ppt for shrimp-based systems with halophyte crops

·       Adjust salinity by:

o   Adding freshwater to dilute

o   Adding measured marine salt mix to raise salinity

Step 5: Clean the Refractometer

·       Rinse the prism thoroughly with distilled or deionized water after each test.

·       Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth to prevent buildup or sample contamination.

Tip: In systems where top-offs or feed supplements affect salinity, check levels weekly and before every major adjustment.

The Milwaukee MA887 brings confidence and control to salt-tolerant aquaponic systems – helping you create balanced environments where both fish and plants can thrive in harmony.