How often do you recalibrate or replace your PH probe?

[othercents]

I'm trying to find out if there is a significant difference between the handheld PH devices that you would typically test and then place back on the shelf and the controller PH probes that you would leave in the sump. Does one keep their calibration longer than another? Do you have to replace probes more often with one verses the other?

The handheld devices say you should recalibrate every week, but that sounds like a lot of recalibrating for maybe taking 1 test a week.

 

[rangerbobb]

The issue with handheld pH meters is keeping the probe wet. If you forget to cover it or the seal isn't tight, the probe gets ruined.

I recalibrate mine every 6 months or so, but it is mainly when I remember and it has been a while. You can check your current calibration with the solutions before you recalibrate to see how it held over time. I think they last a while as long as the probe stays wet and clean. You can clean the probe with vinegar to keep the growth off.

With a probe that stays in the sump, if your pH goes out of a range, you can have the controller turn things off and alert you. You can more easily see trends as well.

 

[Off The Deep End]

I usually recalibrate once every 1-2 months, i have heard of probes going for up to 3 years but also as little as 6 months. If all your using it for is PH reading then the probe is good as long as it will still calibrate. If you are using it for a calcium reactor to control PH then i would recommend buying a new probe at least annually. HTH

 

[Walter White]

The issue with handheld pH meters is keeping the probe wet. If you forget to cover it or the seal isn't tight, the probe gets ruined.

I recalibrate mine every 6 months or so, but it is mainly when I remember and it has been a while. You can check your current calibration with the solutions before you recalibrate to see how it held over time. I think they last a while as long as the probe stays wet and clean. You can clean the probe with vinegar to keep the growth off.

With a probe that stays in the sump, if your pH goes out of a range, you can have the controller turn things off and alert you. You can more easily see trends as well.

Do you dilute the vinegar or just let it sit in it for bit then rinse?

 

[miwoodar]

I don't recalibrate mine often enough. Dillon, I wish I were as disciplined as you.

I'm more concerned about alk than pH anyways. When my former tank was at it's best my pH would routinely dip into the 7.6 range due to my CaX in spite of running full strength lime water for top off. There was a span of time that I would be surprised if it was above 8.0 even in the evenings but my alk would be ~10 dKH.

 

[rangerbobb]

Do you dilute the vinegar or just let it sit in it for bit then rinse?

I use straight vinegar when I scrub it, which is what I usually do because I don't want to wait. If I was going to soak it, I would do straight or dilute it in half. It isn't that acidic and won't ruin your probe unless your probe is a POS.

On another note, I don't see the need to buy the "lab grade" probes. If you were actually using them in a lab, maybe. Even then, you would be recalibrating the probe everyday anyways so it wouldn't matter. It might last a little longer, but the standard ones last a long time. There is a range of life and the lab grade could potentially die faster than a standard probe.

 

[othercents]

Are you all using handheld PH probes or do you leave your probe in the sump? Do handheld PH probes have to be recalibrated more often vs probes that stay in the sump?

I'm leaning toward getting a handheld probe because of price and I might have two separate tanks to test. However I don't want to have to recalibrate every week or even worse every time I use it. I would rather have a controller, but for now I don't have that option.

 

[Off The Deep End]

Mine is on an ACjr and it is in my sump. Once i was taught how to calibrate a Ph probe it then became easy to do it more routinely.

 

[miwoodar]

I would spring for a 24/7 unit.

$35 for a used pinpoint...
http://denver.craigslist.org/for/2642144372.html

I don't know anything about this one but at first glance it looks suitable and can be set up for salinity, temp, and TDS too...
http://denver.craigslist.org/for/2612027582.html

Or buy me this one and I'll give you my pH probe for free...
http://cosprings.craigslist.org/for/2624092208.html

 

[othercents]

The pinpoint looks good except the probe looks dry, so maybe I will need a free probe from you.

That cosprings unit is way to expensive compared to just getting an Apex Jr with PM1 and PH Probe.

BTW. I will still need to move the probe between two tanks, so that could still require me to readjust the unit.

 

[Boogie]

You can recalibrate a ph probe??...ro roh....

 

[Off The Deep End]

Oh hell Mark....

 

[Mckibbonator]

I tend to calibrate mine once every 4 months or so. I also check my pH using a chemical test once a week so I have a second measurement. I have yet to replace my probe, and it's almost year old.

 

[that0neguy1126]

You don't really calibrated the probe, you cAlibrate whatever is reading the signal. You put the probe in fluid that is 7ph exactly and then adjust the apex or whatever is reading it to read 7

Sent from my HTC Incredible

 

[scchase]

Just did mine last night after a little over a year was off by .3

 

[dv3]

you can test your probe in a solution of borax to see if it is off and needs recalibrated

bulkreefsupply sells the cheapest ph probes ~$25

 

[projectx]

I am assuming that Borax will read 7.0?

 

[dv3]

i think its about 9ish ...
read this ...http://web.archive.org/web/20021015005420/www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/2000/feb/bio/default.asp

i have actually calibrated using borax and vinegar to .01 of calibration solution which is basically spot on when you consider how far of calibration solutions can be

 

[rangerbobb]

Your RODI water should be pretty close to a pH of 7. It is probably your best bet (besides calibration solution) to check your probe.

 

[dv3]

Your RODI water should be pretty close to a pH of 7. It is probably your best bet (besides calibration solution) to check your probe.

borax is more accurate but its not 7