Anyone have any feedback on salinity monitors? like this one

[aww_419]

http://www.reefshops.com/aquarium-electronic-salinity-and-ph-monitor.html

anyone use one of these or one like this one?

 

[nwrogers]

Why not use a refractometer?

 

[aww_419]

Well mine broke recently and Ive been using my brothers. Just for ease and convenience. was think about either getting a nice refractors or something like this. If im going to 60 why not spend another 20 and get the extra ph monitor too? if they work ok that is.

 

[gmneil]

how often do you have to calibrate it?

 

[aww_419]

+1 neil, I actually messaged a seller that is selling one on ebay the same question. He says it will give continuous reading like the ph probe but should be recalibrated every month or so. Im not so sure about so i figure just test every week for the first few weeks and see how long it takes to shift.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Maybe I'm being overcautious, but I'm not too sure about that thing, for several reasons:

1) It measures pH and salinity through a single probe? If it were that simple, why doesn't my AC3 do the same?

2) It does not measure temperature, which can influence pH probe readings as well as salinity, (hence ATC temperature compensation in better refractometers).

If it were me, I'd get a good refractometer and calibrate it. Then I'd experiment with this device and test it against the refractometer.

Keep us posted if you decide to get this.

 

[sg1838]

Spend $99 for the RKL, then another $79 for the SL2, and probably another $79 for the conductivity probe, and probably another $50 for a pH probe and you'd have one kick a$$ system!

 

[aww_419]

Maybe I'm being overcautious, but I'm not too sure about that thing, for several reasons:

1) It measures pH and salinity through a single probe? If it were that simple, why doesn't my AC3 do the same?

2) It does not measure temperature, which can influence pH probe readings as well as salinity, (hence ATC temperature compensation in better refractometers).

If it were me, I'd get a good refractometer and calibrate it. Then I'd experiment with this device and test it against the refractometer.

Keep us posted if you decide to get this.

It uses 2 probes heres a link to one that is only metric but same model

http://cgi.ebay.com/Aquarium-Electr...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item56395256f7

salinity is measured in ppt or parts per thousand, so salinity never changes with different temps. although specific gravity does due to the density of water changing. sea life need a certain concentration of salt in the water to maintain "homeostasis". Now this concentration would change due to density changing but that would have to be a hefty swing in temp to effect life in our tanks. If the temperature in the tank stays virtually steady (only fluctuating 2 or 3 degrees on average from the norm) than it would be fine. Its the same idea for PH as the molar concentration of (H) hydrogen positive ions would change with temperature. Without a hefty swing in temp there is no real risk.

Spend $99 for the RKL, then another $79 for the SL2, and probably another $79 for the conductivity probe, and probably another $50 for a pH probe and you'd have one kick a$$ system!

True, I know what you pay for is usually what you get. But I dont consider $149 plus shipping for a more quality one of these products as being cheap. Even though your pricing I think was a little underestimated for new RK equipment for $310 worth of equipment just to measure ph and salinity and temp seems a bit high to me. Maybe cause id rather have an AC instead of a RK lol but thats pretty pricey too.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Ah, I see.

My only caution would be electrical interference affecting the salinity probe. Sounds like you're going to go for it, so be sure to tell us how you make out. :thumbsup:

 

[aww_419]

I definitely still have my doubts just sounds like a time saver. Very true about the electrical interference though. Was it here on URS or on the main forum where I saw someone selling a grounding probe? Ill have to recheck. thanks good idea scott.

 

[TimmyNY]

only thing I noticed was the one in the link runs on euopean voltage 240 v be sure to get the right one or it wont work here

Tim

 

[johnd651]

we use a similar pH probe at work, and it runs for about 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. we need to calibrate it about once every 2 weeks. its usually spot on, but any longer then that, and it starts to give false readings.

 

[aww_419]

Cool, thanks john good info

Timmy i noticed that it was only metric on the ebay listing, im leaning toward a more expensive model from another site anyway. But we will see.

 

[johnd651]

i am interested though, we do go through a big pH range daily, so maybe you might be able to get away without calibrating it as often, since it will be a constant pH

 

[block head]

the jury doesn't care for them in the threads i've read.

 

[aww_419]

Any links to those threads block head?