pH meter

[gtp0083]

Anyone have suggestion for an inexpensive pH meter? I'm currently using an API test kit and understand it possibly in accurate. Currently reading 7.8 or maybe lower. Want an accurate read before I change anything.


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[TokiHacker]

first of all, don't go chasing ph. API is normally off in low readings with things such as ammonia, not usually ph. What are all your other readings? A lot goes into ph that moves it, calcium alk mg are all connected, along with your reg readings ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates..... any idea on these readings? (SG too).

[Elricsfate]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ph-200-waterproof-ph-meter-hm-digital.html

[TokiHacker]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ph-200-waterproof-ph-meter-hm-digital.html

:eek2:

ain't nothing cheap about that!!! :ape:


That is why I test by hand.

[bnumair]

Google it up can find a ph meter for under $20
Here is one I used for a little while with great accuracy
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/291198528633?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F711-117182-37290-0%252F2%253Fmtid%253D1588%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D164965185820_324272%2526itemid%253D29119852863 3%2526targetid%253D271413272630%2526rpc%253D0.28%2526rpc_upld_id%253D108926%2526device%253Dm%2526mpr e%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fulk%25252Fitm%25252Flike%25252F291198528633%25253F lpid%25253D82%252526chn%25253Dps%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D9041382%2526poi%253D%2526campa ignid%253D714751104%2526adgroupid%253D42866488452%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-271413272630%2526gclid%253DCj0KEQiAxeTFBRCGmIq_7rGt_r8BEiQANdPqUsG94ZYJppx_VLxUSyvJKettT3q2AIyqSr1wS 3gtT5oaAhZ-8P8HAQ%2526srcrot%253D711-117182-37290-0%2526rvr_id%253D1176817483821&ul_noapp=true

[gtp0083]

Ammonia and nitrite are 0 nitrate is 5-10ppm. All tested on API. Will be picking up a calcium and magnesium test this weekend. Salinity is about 1.026 tested at LFS


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[Elricsfate]

:eek2:

ain't nothing cheap about that!!! :ape:


That is why I test by hand.


I guess. But in reality...$80 for a meter that shows you the reading in real time...never have to buy reagents...etc.?

I mean I get it, save money where you can. But let's be realistic. I have fish that cost more than twice that meter, and let's not even get started on corals.

Everyone looks at things differently. I spend money to buy time and convenience. Others spend time to save money. But any way you slice it, this isn't really a cheap hobby.

[Ron Reefman]

:eek2:

ain't nothing cheap about that!!! :ape:


That is why I test by hand.

I'm with you. I sold a couple of good pH meters once I realized there is almost no need to test for pH. The API kit is all I have now and I haven't used it in over a year!

[CL8869]

I use a 10 dollar digital one off ebay. However like everyone has said, don't chase it. If you are hanging within the normal range of like 7.8-8.4 let it do its thing. The fish will be more affected by you messing with it versus the natural minute swings that happen.

[sushistevek4]

Gave myself a headache chasing ph for no reason at all. Watch no3 and alk and youll be golden. Ph meter is great for kalk or calcium reactor but if you're not using those I wouldn't worry.

[Elricsfate]

I'm with you. I sold a couple of good pH meters once I realized there is almost no need to test for pH. The API kit is all I have now and I haven't used it in over a year!

If you think about it for a moment though Ron, if the majority of people didn't feel they needed to test for pH...there wouldn't have been anyone to sell them to.

How about a FOWLR system, where there are no corals, and therefore no need to add kalk or two part, or anything else? You might want to know what your pH was then. Or hell...even a freshwater system.

Anyway...I have it, so I linked it. I have a tendency to view things in terms of how many other things they cost. So, for instance, $80 is about what dinner with my wife at a decent restaurant costs. So, in effect, I spent one dinner on this meter. Not the end of the world. :spin3:

[bnumair]

i agree for advanced and not new reefers pH meter or probe is probably meaningless but its important for newbies who are just starting out. dont we all remember when we started and we checked everything and even a slightest swing in temp or pH or salinity worried us!!!
they have to go through all the steps of testing and understanding their tanks before they are comfortable.
example: i dont test for my alk or phos any more but once a week sometimes once every 2 weeks because i have my system dialed in perfectly where i dont have to. in the beginning i have to check it atleast once a day.
pH is also one of those things where u test it and then comfortable with its swings and you forget about it afterwards. having a cheap $10-20 meter from ebay is not a bad idea till one gets hold of their tanks habbits and swings. it is one item i would not go all out fancy latest expensive gadget for.

things in order one will quit testing often/never
1. temp
2. pH
3. ammonia
4. nitrites
5. salinity

some will quit testing for nitrates as well after proper filteration/equipment
then mag will go once stable enough followed by cal.
most advanced reefer will probably test for alk and phos (after being established)

[disc1]

How about a FOWLR system, where there are no corals, and therefore no need to add kalk or two part, or anything else? You might want to know what your pH was then. Or hell...even a freshwater system.


In a feshwater system yes, you would need to watch the pH. But in the saltwater world we have this beautiful carbonate / bicarbonate buffering system working in our water that won't let the pH get outside of a pretty narrow range between about 7.6 and 8.6 or so. Then you have the calcium carbonate in our ricks that go even further to regulate that. And what you end up seeing is that about 99.9% of the "help my pH is crazy" threads are fixed by recalibrating the meter or getting another measurement.

[gtp0083]

Okay updated numbers

Ammonia/ Nitrite 0
Nitrate maybe 1-2ppm
Alk 8.4
Mag 1240
Cal 425




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