Suggestion: it's a good idea get into the habit of opening the pinch-clamp each time start to measure and then closing the pinch-clamp each time you’re done measuring. This will greatly reduce spillage and/or errors.
Easy to use ....
Instructions

There are a few ways to use the WatrLevel - these are the two basic methods, the principals involved are the same no matter what variation is used.  For more variations see the Uses page.  Click on any picture to enlarge.

Step 1

Place the reservoir in a central location - a location where the measuring staff will reach all the areas you wish to measure.  It's possible to measure beyond the length of the tubing but it requires that you reset.

Step 2

Place the reservoir between the lowest point and the highest point you intend to measure.  If you place the reservoir too high then the water will flow out of the top of the measuring staff.   If you place the reservoir too low then the water will not show on the measuring staff.

Step 3

Remove/open the cap on the reservoir.  Open the pinch clamp on the top of the measuring staff.  In order for the WatrLevel to work properly the water needs to be able to flow freely - any obstructions will interfere with the effectiveness of the WatrLevel.

Step 4

Remove any air bubbles from the tubing.  The easiest way to do this is to tilt the measuring staff down and let the water flow through until all the air bubbles are out, then slowly rotate the measuring staff up until it is vertical.  Another option is to raise the measuring staff up high and let the water flow back into the reservoir.  Yet another option is to blow the water back into the reservoir.
Now choose what you want to do ....

If you want to
MEASURE CHANGE

If you want to
FIND LEVEL

Step M5

Place the measuring staff at your reference point (pt A).  This will be the point that you will be comparing all subsequent measurements against.

After the water in the tubing settles, move the scale so that the zero point (the white knob) lines up with the meniscus of the water in the tubing. This is called set-zero, remember this term, you will be using it a lot.

 

Step F5

Place the measuring staff next to the reference point (pt X) that you have chosen.  This is the point you want to level to.  The water in the measuring staff does not need to line up with your reference point.

After the water in the tubing settles, move the scale so that the zero point (the white knob) lines up with the meniscus of the water in the tubing. This is called set-zero. remember this term, you will be using it a lot.

Now record the reading that corresponds to the reference point (pt X). In this case it might read something like black 10" (or plus 10" if you prefer).

Step M6

Place the measuring staff at the next point you want to measure (point B) and simply read the scale.

Measurements in the black portion of the scale indicate that this point is higher than the reference point (pt A), readings in the red portion indicate that it is lower.

Step F6

Now place the measuring staff next location that you want to find a level point.

After the water in the tubing settles, set-zero again.  Next find the number on the scale that you recorded (black 10") and mark.  This point (pt Y) will be level to the reference point (pt X).

It should be noted that you can easily check your work by measuring level.

Step M7

Place the measuring staff at the next point you want to measure (pt C) and read the scale again.

Repeat as often as needed.  Each time the measuring staffed is placed it will instantly tell you how this point compares to the reference point (pt A).

Step F7

These points will be level (pt X and pt Y).

You can repeat this procedure as many times as you want.  Each time you will be doing a set-zero and then finding the recorded number and marking.  All subsequent points will be level to point X.

Step M8

The diagram to the right shows how each point compares to refernce point (and to each other).