sarah Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Just an FYI - I have been testing my pH using the API kit, and my water has consistently been 7.4 to 7.6. I just calibrated my lab pH meter and tested my tank water, and it is 6.85. Not even close to the API test results. Now, I have RCS shrimps who probably couldn't care less about this difference, but for those of you with more sensitive shrimps, this is probably worth noting, especially if you are investing in products to raise or lower your pH. Johnnydok, Edwardnah and RyeGuy411 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dendrobatez Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 Ya they aren't accurate, if you take 3 ph tests wit api at the same time you will usually get 3 different results Plus my tanks are at or below 6 so they don't do a Lot for tb owners in the first place lol RyeGuy411 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiumanfu Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 My API pH low range test was completely wrong too. A pH meter is really a worth while investment. A cheap eBay one will do fine just make sure it has at least a 2 point calibration and ATC. Take care of the probe tip with proper storage solution and even the cheap ones will last a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolutionhope Posted June 1, 2015 Report Share Posted June 1, 2015 hi sarah thanks for bringing this to my attention! much appreciated :-) i am always getting a result of 7.4 -7.6 in most of my tanks which is the upper end of the pH test kit and lower end of the high range pH test kit. the testkits certainly aren't that wonderful but i've been using them because they come as part of the API master kit and i'm too lazy to maintain my electronic pH tester! i've got one of these but I will definitely need to calibrate it and start using it again when i get my hands on these beauties in a few weeks time! http://www.shrimpspot.com/index.php?/topic/3782-caridina-zebra-new-shrimp-found/ love n peace will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadO Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 I've gone a bit in circles on this one myself. I had read where the API liquid tests weren't the most consistent, so then I thought I'd pick up an electronic tester since I wanted better accuracy. So, I got one of the more basic models for around $20 or so, calibrated it, and tested my water. I watched as the values would keep changing on the electronic tester, and took a while to settle. I read the detailed directions (I'm a guy, I'll admit after calibrating it, I thought it was just test and go without bothering to read) and what I discovered is that it can take up to 10 minutes for a stable reading. Now, I was used to 3 drops, shake and read. To wait 10 minutes with a roomful of tanks to test was not going to be a good long term solution. After using my tester for a while, what I found was that while the API test didn't match the electronic tester, it wasn't that far off either (like maybe .1 to .2). I continued to use the tester for a little while longer to satisfy my investment and then just finally stored it away as it wasn't worth the effort in my setup. Since that time, I've come to realize for the shrimp that I am keeping, my GH, temp and regular water changes are more important than the exact value my pH is at. I do still check pH if a tank doesn't seem happy, but it's not my first test that I go to. OK, now with all that being said, funny story from just the other week that happened to me. I have a tank that has ADA AS in it, and I've had it set up for close to 2 years. I was curious if my buffering was still hanging in there. So, I grabbed a test tube to do the liquid test, and I noticed it had just a slight haze to it - almost like fine dust. I looked it over, didn't think too much about it, and did my test. My test showed into the blue (i.e., over 7.0). Wow, I thought, it has run out of buffering. Then I thought, I'm going to test with a couple other tubes. I tested 3 more times with 3 other tubes (that had no haze) and all were right at that 6.4 to 6.5 range - which is fine for my crystals that I keep in that tank. So, what I realized was that the first tube that had the high reading wasn't cleaned properly, and that haze was some bit of residue from a poor cleaning job on my part. I'm sure it seems obvious, but make sure those test tubes are clean. It doesn't take much to affect those results. Anyway, by no means disagreeing with what other folks are discussing here, just sharing that for the shrimp that I am keeping, the pH isn't the most important parameter that I monitor. I'd also say that if you want fast reading results, you'll need to get up into the more expensive meters - based on what I have read and experienced personally. It's been a year plus now, so maybe there are better options at a lower price than when I played in this area. And finally, one humorous thought that I saw for the first time the other day that might apply here: a man with one watch always knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure. sarah, nicpapa, Duque and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citycode01 Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 +1 to chad, I've bought Hanna ph meter and spent a lot of £ and realised it take a lot of time to get a reading stabilised and now I prefer to use my api test it's much quicker. Duque 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiumanfu Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 A sluggish measurement time usually means the probe needs to be reconditioned. A good clean probe will settle in less than 10 seconds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemd36 Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 I agree & use API PH tests; not a electronic PH meter........ I look at testing as protecting my investment bottom line... So, for example my fancy tiger tanks... I do 3 separate API PH tests in order to make sure I have the right reading due to the amount of time & energy involved w/these awesome shrimp. Likewise, this doesn't really take up much of my time testing or cleaning the test tubes in order to protect my investment. In any case, this is a demanding hobby that requires one's time, patience & the ability/drive to self educate during the unfortunate shrimper learning curves.. Once these hurdles are crossed, your reward will be your 1st berried female but it takes a lot of time & $$$..... Updated: "unfortunate shrimper learning curves" can be understood as "shrimp woes" or also known as "shrimping ain't easy"..... I use API tests as well for testing PH, but I also get inconsistent results sometimes when I do 2-3 tests in a row. Do you get consistent results? I sometimes draw water from different parts of the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomCruise Posted August 14, 2015 Report Share Posted August 14, 2015 I asked my sister who is a scientist, she deals with ph testers every day. While most of what she recommended was way up there in price (thousand or more) this little number is somewhat affordable. $73. https://us.vwr.com/store/catalog/product.jsp?catalog_number=10065-860. The important thing is that it's a VWR. Other brand name with a scientific reputation is "Mettler". She cautioned buying used, as the probe and electrodes would most likely be messed up. New you can be careful to maintain it properly. She said with a VWR or Mettler, she would rarely worry about calibration (three months or so), and would usually only do so to confirm that it hadn't gone out of spec. I would recommend calibrating with solution you buy from Amazon such as http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HE7W42?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 $14. often enough until you are comfortable relying on it for longer lengths of time. Wygglz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadO Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 When I follow the link for the $73 meter, it seems to go to a page that doesn't exist on the site. Would you mine double-checking the link? I'd love to read more about the meter that she referenced. Thanks! Chad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomCruise Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 Sonova... Yea, they musta changed the site. I'll try to find it again. It was a VWR pen style ph meter for less than $100 bucks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomCruise Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 Found it. It's the Pocket Pro pH Tester by Hatch. Go to https://us.vwr.com/store/ and search for "Pocket Pro pH, Hatch" They also have multimeters (pH, TDS, Conductivity in one) for a bit more on VWR's site. You can get it on Amazon and other places. What I think I like is that it can tell you when it needs to be calibrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 I won't recommend pocket type. as when the life of probe ends, you have to toss the whole thing away. Buy standard pH meter with BNC connector type probe. you can find lots of good probe at very affordable price. probe is only good for a year. no matter how you maintain it. nicpapa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 pH meter is nothing just mV meter. Only precise pH probe matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicpapa Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 I have try 4 different ph controllers, the controllers works fine, but the problems is on the probe. The probe in a good use, you can measure correct ~ for a year. Keep in mind that probe can calibrate correct and measure wrong... Both of three probes calibrate correct at 4-7 ph . What is the correct? I test and a ph meter from ebay , a yellow one , and read 6.8. Wiht a api and sera liquid ph meter measure diferetns ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomCruise Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 Did you do a two point calibration on those, or just one? Also this pen type has a replaceable electrode: https://us.vwr.com/store/catalog/product.jsp?catalog_number=74730-030 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 Did you do a two point calibration on those, or just one? Also this pen type has a replaceable electrode: https://us.vwr.com/store/catalog/product.jsp?catalog_number=74730-030 It's not common and more expensive. BNC probe is the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomCruise Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 I'm interested in your BNC probe suggestion James. Could you tell us what you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 I'm interested in your BNC probe suggestion James. Could you tell us what you use? I have Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper Elite and Digital Aquatics Lifeguard. and I have Pinpoint pH meter also. it all has BNC connector for pH probe. so I can exchange my pH probe on all my meters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomCruise Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 Do you keep the pinpoint in the tank continuously? I'm reading that it doesn't hold calibration very well if it's being used as a "dipper" But works well if left in the fluid. Thoughts? I'm looking for something with which I can spot test multiple tanks as well as water for my hydroponic garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 Do you keep the pinpoint in the tank continuously? I'm reading that it doesn't hold calibration very well if it's being used as a "dipper" But works well if left in the fluid. Thoughts? I'm looking for something with which I can spot test multiple tanks as well as water for my hydroponic garden. Yes, I keep it in the tank all the time. I clean the probe every 3 months, and re-charge the in 100% KCL solution overnight. then do calibration before use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishlover Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Yes, I keep it in the tank all the time. I clean the probe every 3 months, and re-charge the in 100% KCL solution overnight. then do calibration before use. Hi James, Can you give detail explanation on how to re-charge in 100% KCL solution? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Hi James, Can you give detail explanation on how to re-charge in 100% KCL solution? Thanks There are two chambers of the pH probe. Filled with 3M KCl solution. the reference chamber has reference joint connected to the tank water, over time, the K+ ion will escape from the reference chamber, and the probe would become very slow and less accurate. so to do the re-charging. Basically recharging the reference chamber with saturated KCl solution. to refresh the reference chamber vs the reference joint. More K+ ion would go into the reference chamber to restore the proper level. after the treatment, you should see improved the response time. To make 100% KCl solution is simple. Add KCl (you can find it at Home Depot and Lowes as water softener salt, not cheap NCl, more expensive KCl) to RO water until it can't dissolve any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishlover Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 There are two chambers of the pH probe. Filled with 3M KCl solution. the reference chamber has reference joint connected to the tank water, over time, the K+ ion will escape from the reference chamber, and the probe would become very slow and less accurate. so to do the re-charging. Basically recharging the reference chamber with saturated KCl solution. to refresh the reference chamber vs the reference joint. More K+ ion would go into the reference chamber to restore the proper level. after the treatment, you should see improved the response time. To make 100% KCl solution is simple. Add KCl (you can find it at Home Depot and Lowes as water softener salt, not cheap NCl, more expensive KCl) to RO water until it can't dissolve any more. Thanks James, Do you dip the probe into the 100% KCL soluation for overnight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesHe Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Thanks James, Do you dip the probe into the 100% KCL soluation for overnight? Yes, you can keep it in there longer. it's fine. In that case, you 3M KCl solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.