Salinity Probe Misreading

ppht · 07/08/2007, 09:48 PM

I am still having a problem with my salinity probe mis reading. I got a new one under warranty and after 6 mths it does the same thing.
RobbyG had a thread about a fix for it but I cant find it. Also what is the best way to clean the probe? And can I calibrate it with any house hold items?

RobbyG · 07/08/2007, 10:43 PM

I had used a carbon pack around the probe to prevent Ozone from getting to the probe. This worked but after a few months the cleaning rate started to rise again and after a few more months I just gave up. The best way I found to clean the probe was a light rub with 600 grit sandpaper and then a 20 minute dunk in Kent Probe cleaning solution.

My final solution in the end was to buy a refractometer. Salinity does not change all that fast and the probe cleaning intervals and calibration intervals seem to go up exponentially with this probe so I just opted out of using it.

Sorry I don't have better news, I guess every product has it's weak point and the Salinity probe is AQ's.

ppht · 07/08/2007, 10:58 PM

thanks I was starting to come to the same conclusion. What gets me is it is one of the most expensive probes...

RobbyG · 07/08/2007, 11:17 PM

Yes, it sucks.
If only I knew then what I know now! I would have just gotten a pinpoint meter at the start, it would have cost just about the same.

ppht · 07/09/2007, 05:36 AM

Also as a side note. I don't think it is running ozone that caused it, when I got the new probe I stopped running ozone well before and never ran it since. I think it is from
alk.

bourbon · 07/09/2007, 12:54 PM

why is the pinpoint immune to these problems? because it's not in the water full time?

RobbyG · 07/09/2007, 01:20 PM

I think that pinpoint uses an AC current to measure the salinity and AQ uses a DC Current. The DC current causes electrolysis between the electrodes and that makes it pick up all sorts of metal Atoms in the water. The AC Probes don't have the same effect as alternating current Pulls and Pushes the Atoms so none really stick to the probe. At least this is what I have heard is reason.

07/08/2007, 09:48 PM	#1
ppht Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ma. Posts: 555	Salinity Probe Misreading I am still having a problem with my salinity probe mis reading. I got a new one under warranty and after 6 mths it does the same thing. RobbyG had a thread about a fix for it but I cant find it. Also what is the best way to clean the probe? And can I calibrate it with any house hold items?

07/08/2007, 10:43 PM	#2
RobbyG Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 600 Ft From the Reef Posts: 3,926	I had used a carbon pack around the probe to prevent Ozone from getting to the probe. This worked but after a few months the cleaning rate started to rise again and after a few more months I just gave up. The best way I found to clean the probe was a light rub with 600 grit sandpaper and then a 20 minute dunk in Kent Probe cleaning solution. My final solution in the end was to buy a refractometer. Salinity does not change all that fast and the probe cleaning intervals and calibration intervals seem to go up exponentially with this probe so I just opted out of using it. Sorry I don't have better news, I guess every product has it's weak point and the Salinity probe is AQ's. __________________ The Optimist says the glass is half full, the Pessimist says it’s half empty, an engineer only see's a glass that’s twice as big as it needs to be! Current Tank Info: Insanely Automated Low Power Consumption 90 Gal Oceanic Bow System/Aquatronica Controller/AQ Dosing Pump/AQ Ethernet/AQ SMS/Seq Dart Pump/ASM G3/T5 Lights/Ozotech Ozonizer/Koralin 1502/Chiller/Typhoon3 Ro/S.Squirt /Phos React/Rmt DSB

07/08/2007, 11:17 PM	#4
RobbyG Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 600 Ft From the Reef Posts: 3,926	Yes, it sucks. If only I knew then what I know now! I would have just gotten a pinpoint meter at the start, it would have cost just about the same. __________________ The Optimist says the glass is half full, the Pessimist says it’s half empty, an engineer only see's a glass that’s twice as big as it needs to be! Current Tank Info: Insanely Automated Low Power Consumption 90 Gal Oceanic Bow System/Aquatronica Controller/AQ Dosing Pump/AQ Ethernet/AQ SMS/Seq Dart Pump/ASM G3/T5 Lights/Ozotech Ozonizer/Koralin 1502/Chiller/Typhoon3 Ro/S.Squirt /Phos React/Rmt DSB

07/09/2007, 01:20 PM	#7
RobbyG Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 600 Ft From the Reef Posts: 3,926	I think that pinpoint uses an AC current to measure the salinity and AQ uses a DC Current. The DC current causes electrolysis between the electrodes and that makes it pick up all sorts of metal Atoms in the water. The AC Probes don't have the same effect as alternating current Pulls and Pushes the Atoms so none really stick to the probe. At least this is what I have heard is reason. __________________ The Optimist says the glass is half full, the Pessimist says it’s half empty, an engineer only see's a glass that’s twice as big as it needs to be! Current Tank Info: Insanely Automated Low Power Consumption 90 Gal Oceanic Bow System/Aquatronica Controller/AQ Dosing Pump/AQ Ethernet/AQ SMS/Seq Dart Pump/ASM G3/T5 Lights/Ozotech Ozonizer/Koralin 1502/Chiller/Typhoon3 Ro/S.Squirt /Phos React/Rmt DSB

07/08/2007, 10:58 PM	#3
ppht Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ma. Posts: 555	thanks I was starting to come to the same conclusion. What gets me is it is one of the most expensive probes...

07/09/2007, 05:36 AM	#5
ppht Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ma. Posts: 555	Also as a side note. I don't think it is running ozone that caused it, when I got the new probe I stopped running ozone well before and never ran it since. I think it is from alk.

07/09/2007, 12:54 PM	#6
bourbon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Barrie, Ontario Posts: 23	why is the pinpoint immune to these problems? because it's not in the water full time?