How do I calibrate my rewards?

Reward volume calibration

You must calibrate the volume of the reward given to the mouse. 💧

We typically use 5 microliters per reward, but this task/experiment dependent.

To calibrate your reward:

• Set a starting valve opening duration (in ms), typically 50ms
• Place a 25mL Falcon tube below your lick spout to collect rewards (make sure it's right below)
• Set GUI parameters to:
• • Association ON in order to give rewards at each trials
• • Stimulus trials only (anyone)
• • Trial duration, ITI to 1-2 secs minimum to allow for proper settling of water in the tube (that way you calibration settings are more similar to taht during an actual behavioural session)
• Run GUI for e.g. 1000 trials
• Reward volume per trial (uL) = (total volume collected * 1000) / number of trials
• If this is not the target reward volume, repeat adjusting the valve opening time