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There may be an issue with my pH probe.
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 8:32 pm
by MDB1029
So this is what my pH has reported the last day or so.
pH data.PNG
Any suggestions on what is happening?
Re: There may be an issue with my pH probe.
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 4:37 am
by cosmith71
It may be dying. How old is it? The cheaper ones normally don't last more than a year.
Re: There may be an issue with my pH probe.
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:37 am
by MDB1029
a year next month. lol
Re: There may be an issue with my pH probe.
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:41 am
by MDB1029
cosmith71 wrote:It may be dying. How old is it? The cheaper ones normally don't last more than a year.
Is the one on the website better than the original? Is it the same as the original? Is there a different one?
Re: There may be an issue with my pH probe.
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 9:53 am
by cosmith71
It's the same as the one that comes with it. It's good for the price.
Ones marked "Lab Grade" tend to last longer and respond better, although "Lab Grade" doesn't really mean anything. I've had good luck with the one Bulk Reef Supply sells. I just got one from Amazon, but haven't had it very long.
Re: There may be an issue with my pH probe.
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 11:43 am
by MDB1029
are they all compatible with the RA? I don't know if the connection is standard or anything about the probes outside installing and calibrating it.
Re: There may be an issue with my pH probe.
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 11:44 am
by cosmith71
They're pretty much standard. Just make sure they have the BNC type connector.
Re: There may be an issue with my pH probe.
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 1:05 pm
by MDB1029
Thank you for your help. It has started climbing again. I guess it may be time for a new one.
Re: There may be an issue with my pH probe.
Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2016 2:40 pm
by saf1
Lab grade runs about 64 bucks on amazon at least that I've seen. Standard probes run 35 - 40'ish. Just make sure to buy the calibration packets, then calibrate it, and leave it alone. Depending on the quality of your probe, the readings, if consistent, you can probably get away with recalibrating every 3 months give or take.
Re: There may be an issue with my pH probe.
Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2016 2:55 pm
by MDB1029
I don't normally go crazy trying to chase my pH. I calibrated the probe I have once when i first got the RA and basically only watch it for fluctuation and am happy so long as it is not swinging and not so much concerned if i am at
8.0 or 8.5. The ramping from 8.2 to 11.6 and then plummet back to 8.2 really isn't helping me at all.
Would you still say it is pretty much at its life expectancy or would calibration help it?
Re: There may be an issue with my pH probe.
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 5:07 am
by lnevo
Calibration won't help if its unstable like this. A year is typical. I've had my lab grade now for almost 2 years with no issues versus 3 the year and a half before that