New PH Probe Setup

[james3200]

Hello,

I just received a new PH probe for a new tank. Reading a couple of the posts in the forum (mainly Ph reading (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1004964)), it seems that there are quite a few points that i missed when setting up my last probe.

Conditioning (which is?) is mentioned by a few members, not using RO water to clean and im sure a few other helpful tips

Would anyone like to help me out (and others im sure) with a checklist for setting up a new probe so i can get the most out of it as the Aquatronica manuals say hardly any of the information that i have read on the site.

Many thanks,
James

[ik2vov]

Hi James,

I suggest first to leave the probe for a week in the sump, this has to be done to "refresh" the electrode.
After a week in the sump you have to calibrate, if you will use the probe to monitor the tank, I suggest pH 7 and 10 calibration fluids, if you will use the probe in the calcium reactor, I suggest pH 7 and 4 calibration fluids.
The procedure is simple, i leave for half our the probe in solution pH 7, after this time I press on the pH controller menu "calibrate", I adjust the pH reading as the same I'm using (pH7) and I press enter. Now the controller asks to put the probe in the other solution, i wash the probe with tap water, I dry it with a scottex and i put the probe in the solution, the controller will read the value of the second solution, I have to adjust the solution value I see on the controller as the one i'm using (pH 4 or 10), after abt 5 minutes I'll see the value will be stable, so I press enter.
The calibration is done.

Bye

[james3200]

Thanks,

I actually use my AQ on freshwater planted tanks, i guess the 7 & 4 calibration is best for my setup, as the ph reading i measure is between 6 - 7?

The 2 times i have cleaned / calibrated the 'old' probe i used RO water to rinse the solution off, and did basically the same procedure you wrote, hope that not much damage occured..

Thanks again ;)

[ik2vov]

Yes James, in your case is best 7 & 4 pH calibration fluids.

Cleaning with RO water can do nothing, but long contacts between RO water and pH probe can damage it, for this reason it's better not to use RO water.

Bye

[james3200]

OK, thanks again for the clarification