pH/ORP meter maintenance

When monitoring pH in a fish tank with a regular glass electrode
how often do you clean/calibrate it? How long can single electrode
last before you need to replace it for a new one? What about ORP?

PH probe should be replaced yearly..............so says the MFG.

kc

"Pszemol" <> wrote in message
news:bnelf1$t3s$...
> When monitoring pH in a fish tank with a regular glass electrode
> how often do you clean/calibrate it? How long can single electrode
> last before you need to replace it for a new one? What about ORP?

What about re-calibration or cleaning? When do you do it?


"Dragon Slayer" <koi_man(nospam)@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:bnfiue$7aku$...
> PH probe should be replaced yearly..............so says the MFG.
>
> kc
>
> "Pszemol" <> wrote in message
> news:bnelf1$t3s$...
> > When monitoring pH in a fish tank with a regular glass electrode
> > how often do you clean/calibrate it? How long can single electrode
> > last before you need to replace it for a new one? What about ORP?

I calibrate when I notice changes in all my tanks (I have 7 going at
present, but trying to cut that down). I keep the probe installed into my
29's outside overflow box at all times and just move it from tank to tank as
needed. when I notice it getting anything built up on it, I soak it in
white vinegar and look for a ph of 3 which again gives me an indication of
need for cal.

I guess some would call my theory a bit on the lazy side when it comes to
calibration of my ph monitor, but it makes practical sense to me. also I
check it daily for any changes in ph at given times of the photo periods,
consistency gives me the "sense of security" for it, might be a false one,
but so far so good.

hth
kc

"Pszemol" <> wrote in message
news:...
> What about re-calibration or cleaning? When do you do it?
>
>
> "Dragon Slayer" <koi_man(nospam)@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bnfiue$7aku$...
> > PH probe should be replaced yearly..............so says the MFG.
> >
> > kc
> >
> > "Pszemol" <> wrote in message
> > news:bnelf1$t3s$...
> > > When monitoring pH in a fish tank with a regular glass electrode
> > > how often do you clean/calibrate it? How long can single electrode
> > > last before you need to replace it for a new one? What about ORP?
>

You're saying that pH 3.0 while the probe is in vinegar is an indicator of some
kind?

Marc


Dragon Slayer wrote:

> I calibrate when I notice changes in all my tanks (I have 7 going at
> present, but trying to cut that down). I keep the probe installed into my
> 29's outside overflow box at all times and just move it from tank to tank as
> needed. when I notice it getting anything built up on it, I soak it in
> white vinegar and look for a ph of 3 which again gives me an indication of
> need for cal.
>
> I guess some would call my theory a bit on the lazy side when it comes to
> calibration of my ph monitor, but it makes practical sense to me. also I
> check it daily for any changes in ph at given times of the photo periods,
> consistency gives me the "sense of security" for it, might be a false one,
> but so far so good.
>
> hth
> kc
>
> "Pszemol" <> wrote in message
> news:...
> > What about re-calibration or cleaning? When do you do it?
> >
> >
> > "Dragon Slayer" <koi_man(nospam)@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:bnfiue$7aku$...
> > > PH probe should be replaced yearly..............so says the MFG.
> > >
> > > kc
> > >
> > > "Pszemol" <> wrote in message
> > > news:bnelf1$t3s$...
> > > > When monitoring pH in a fish tank with a regular glass electrode
> > > > how often do you clean/calibrate it? How long can single electrode
> > > > last before you need to replace it for a new one? What about ORP?
> >

--
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Well, if it read pH 3 it would mean no calibration needed if anything, not an "indication
of need for cal."
as the true pH of vinegar is 2.9 ( or about 3)

--
Boomer

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If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up
"Marc Levenson" <> wrote in message news:...
: You're saying that pH 3.0 while the probe is in vinegar is an indicator of some
: kind?
:
: Marc
:
:
: Dragon Slayer wrote:
:
: > I calibrate when I notice changes in all my tanks (I have 7 going at
: > present, but trying to cut that down). I keep the probe installed into my
: > 29's outside overflow box at all times and just move it from tank to tank as
: > needed. when I notice it getting anything built up on it, I soak it in
: > white vinegar and look for a ph of 3 which again gives me an indication of
: > need for cal.
: >
: > I guess some would call my theory a bit on the lazy side when it comes to
: > calibration of my ph monitor, but it makes practical sense to me. also I
: > check it daily for any changes in ph at given times of the photo periods,
: > consistency gives me the "sense of security" for it, might be a false one,
: > but so far so good.
: >
: > hth
: > kc
: >
: > "Pszemol" <> wrote in message
: > news:...
: > > What about re-calibration or cleaning? When do you do it?
: > >
: > >
: > > "Dragon Slayer" <koi_man(nospam)@hotmail.com> wrote in message
: > news:bnfiue$7aku$...
: > > > PH probe should be replaced yearly..............so says the MFG.
: > > >
: > > > kc
: > > >
: > > > "Pszemol" <> wrote in message
: > > > news:bnelf1$t3s$...
: > > > > When monitoring pH in a fish tank with a regular glass electrode
: > > > > how often do you clean/calibrate it? How long can single electrode
: > > > > last before you need to replace it for a new one? What about ORP?
: > >
:
: --
: Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
: Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
: Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
:
:

I've never heard of taking a pH reading of vinegar, that is why I was wanting more info.

Thanks, Boomer!

Marc


Boomer wrote:

> Well, if it read pH 3 it would mean no calibration needed if anything, not an "indication
> of need for cal."
> as the true pH of vinegar is 2.9 ( or about 3)
>
> --
> Boomer
>
> Want to talk chemistry ? The Reef Chemistry Forum
> http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/index.php
>

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

Thanks for helping out Boomer.

Yes Marc, if I get a reading of 3 in vinegar, and my tanks have not noticed
a significant amount of change over the past few weeks, then I don't
calibrate the probe. if I get unexpected readings from my tank, I then soak
the probe in vinegar to clean it, if I get a bad reading in the vinegar as
well, I calibrate.

kc

"Boomer" <wcwing_nospam_@chartermi.net> wrote in message
news:...
> Well, if it read pH 3 it would mean no calibration needed if anything, not
an "indication
> of need for cal."
> as the true pH of vinegar is 2.9 ( or about 3)
>
> --
> Boomer
>
> Want to talk chemistry ? The Reef Chemistry Forum
> http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/index.php
>
> Want to See More ?
> Please Join Our Growing Membership
> www.coralrealm.com
>
> If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up
> "Marc Levenson" <> wrote in message
news:...
> : You're saying that pH 3.0 while the probe is in vinegar is an indicator
of some
> : kind?
> :
> : Marc
> :
> :
> : Dragon Slayer wrote:
> :
> : > I calibrate when I notice changes in all my tanks (I have 7 going at
> : > present, but trying to cut that down). I keep the probe installed
into my
> : > 29's outside overflow box at all times and just move it from tank to
tank as
> : > needed. when I notice it getting anything built up on it, I soak it
in
> : > white vinegar and look for a ph of 3 which again gives me an
indication of
> : > need for cal.
> : >
> : > I guess some would call my theory a bit on the lazy side when it comes
to
> : > calibration of my ph monitor, but it makes practical sense to me. also
I
> : > check it daily for any changes in ph at given times of the photo
periods,
> : > consistency gives me the "sense of security" for it, might be a false
one,
> : > but so far so good.
> : >
> : > hth
> : > kc
> : >
> : > "Pszemol" <> wrote in message
> : > news:...
> : > > What about re-calibration or cleaning? When do you do it?
> : > >
> : > >
> : > > "Dragon Slayer" <koi_man(nospam)@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> : > news:bnfiue$7aku$...
> : > > > PH probe should be replaced yearly..............so says the MFG.
> : > > >
> : > > > kc
> : > > >
> : > > > "Pszemol" <> wrote in message
> : > > > news:bnelf1$t3s$...
> : > > > > When monitoring pH in a fish tank with a regular glass electrode
> : > > > > how often do you clean/calibrate it? How long can single
electrode
> : > > > > last before you need to replace it for a new one? What about
ORP?
> : > >
> :
> : --
> : Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> : Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> : Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
> :
> :
>
>

Boomer, do you know of any difference in pH probes dedicated
to long-term monitoring or to take lab sample measurments?
Are these the same probes or do they differ in design?

I am concerned in two issues here: acuracy of prolonged test
disturbed by the long time between calibrations and the
filling solution leaking to the fish tank when the total
water amount is relatively small, lets say nano-reef...
I have purchased two pH glass electrodes in April this year
and one of them was not used, in the box. When I open it
yesterday I noticed a large amount of white salt on the
probe junction bulb indicating the probe absorbed something
from the air OR it leaked filling solution which dried out
causing salt deposits on the electrode glass...

If the second is true explanation, how does this leaking process
affect our tank chemistry? Should we be concerns in "small"
amounts of Silver ions (Ag) leaking to the water?

BTW - do you know if anybody verified acuracy of the Pinpoint
meter to confirm what manufacturer states is true? Aside from
the meter acuracy, is it possible to measure pH with this
meter/electrode with acuracy of 0.01 in a regular reef tank?
From what I remember from school, digital meters acuracy
is always decreased of the value of the last digit, so in this
case best acuracy would be 0.01 +/- 0.01, number larger than 0.01
Acuracy received after long periods from last calibration would
be probably much worse than that... What is your opinion about it?

First, to clear the air, I would not be relying on vinegar to check my probe with, the pH
is to low.

"Boomer, do you know of any difference in pH probes dedicated
to long-term monitoring or to take lab sample measurements?
Are these the same probes or do they differ in design?"

Same, just cheap ones. My probes are $250 a pop, but that is getting carried away.A $100
USA or so is fine for the reef tank


There are a number of different types of pH probes, more or less you get what you pay for.
The two most basic are Double Junction and Single Junction. Some probes are refillable,
others are not. No, you don't want the stuff leaking in your tank, that probe sounds like
it is not sealed right. The salt is KCl and silver chloride leaking out do to salt creep,
just like the salt creep you often see on hoses, filters or on the glass hinge.

"Aside from
the meter accuracy, is it possible to measure pH with this
meter/electrode with accuracy of 0.01 in a regular reef tank?"

It should be OK, if it is calibrated correctly, it should be Calibrated to pH 7 and Sloped
to pH 9
***NOT pH 7 & pH 4. This will make the probe less accurate, as the slope is in the wrong
direction 7 ---> 4 and it should be 7--->9 .

What are the calibration solution pH's

"From what I remember from school, digital meters accuracy
is always decreased of the value of the last digit, so in this
case best accuracy would be 0.01 +/- 0.01"

Yes, + or - 0.01

"Accuracy received after long periods from last calibration would
be probably much worse than that..."

Probes should be cleaned and calibrated every week, to insure accuracy


Yes, in time it will drift and it will become harder to calibrate.The best indication is
the longer time it takes for the meter value to become stable.

Go year and register

http://www.radiometer-analytical.com...?code=112&s=go

Download pH Theory and Application

also


http://www.coleparmer.com/techinfo/t...aq%2Eht m&Tit
le=pH+Measurement


and

http://www.sensorex.com/support/supp..._articles.html



We just started to work on an article Randy will be writing in a 2 part series.One on pH
meters and one on pH indicators/test kits. This will explain it all shortly
--
Boomer

Want to talk chemistry ? The Reef Chemistry Forum
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/index.php

Want to See More ?
Please Join Our Growing Membership
www.coralrealm.com

If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up
"Pszemol" <> wrote in message news:...
: Boomer, do you know of any difference in pH probes dedicated
: to long-term monitoring or to take lab sample measurments?
: Are these the same probes or do they differ in design?
:
: I am concerned in two issues here: acuracy of prolonged test
: disturbed by the long time between calibrations and the
: filling solution leaking to the fish tank when the total
: water amount is relatively small, lets say nano-reef...
: I have purchased two pH glass electrodes in April this year
: and one of them was not used, in the box. When I open it
: yesterday I noticed a large amount of white salt on the
: probe junction bulb indicating the probe absorbed something
: from the air OR it leaked filling solution which dried out
: causing salt deposits on the electrode glass...
:
: If the second is true explanation, how does this leaking process
: affect our tank chemistry? Should we be concerns in "small"
: amounts of Silver ions (Ag) leaking to the water?
:
: BTW - do you know if anybody verified acuracy of the Pinpoint
: meter to confirm what manufacturer states is true? Aside from
: the meter acuracy, is it possible to measure pH with this
: meter/electrode with acuracy of 0.01 in a regular reef tank?
: From what I remember from school, digital meters acuracy
: is always decreased of the value of the last digit, so in this
: case best acuracy would be 0.01 +/- 0.01, number larger than 0.01
: Acuracy received after long periods from last calibration would
: be probably much worse than that... What is your opinion about it?