Apex PH probes substitute?

[BlackTip]

I have been using Apex probes for about a year, and I am not happy with the longevity of their Lab Grade PH probe. At six month mark, the probe was off by .15 after calibration and comparison with another brand new probe. Lately, the reading fluctuate up and down causing programming code to be executed and waking me up at night for no reason. The probe is well maintained and calibrated regularly. Apex customer service didn't offer much help.

Is there other better quality probes that will work with Apex?

 

[slief]

Look at the Neptune Double Junction pH probes. That said, I usually get a few years out of my Apex probes and in over 20 years of using Neptune controllers, I've never once had one of their probes fail prematurely.

Not sure why your having issues. Have you tried placing the probe in some pH 7 and pH 10 solution to see how it reads? Have you used a soft tooth brush to clean it from time to time? Do you have your probes in a dark place in your sump that is free of lots of microbubbles? The latter two are relatively important to keeping probes consistent and accurate. Light promotes algae growth on the probes which will impact the readings. Microbubbles will also impact the readings. You should scrub the probe tips gently with a soft tooth brush every month or so for best accuracy of your probe. Lastly is the possibility of interference from other power cords.

 

[BlackTip]

Look at the Neptune Double Junction pH probes. That said, I usually get a few years out of my Apex probes and in over 20 years of using Neptune controllers, I've never once had one of their probes fail prematurely.

Not sure why your having issues. Have you tried placing the probe in some pH 7 and pH 10 solution to see how it reads? Have you used a soft tooth brush to clean it from time to time? Do you have your probes in a dark place in your sump that is free of lots of microbubbles? The latter two are relatively important to keeping probes consistent and accurate. Light promotes algae growth on the probes which will impact the readings. Microbubbles will also impact the readings. You should scrub the probe tips gently with a soft tooth brush every month or so for best accuracy of your probe. Lastly is the possibility of interference from other power cords.

Thanks Johnathan

Yes to all of the above. Probe is in the sump with DYI protection kind of thing, cleaned, and calibrated every couple of months. I have all of the wires run inside and behind the cabinet, and there could be an electrical interference. All of the probes wires are bundled together. It wasn't problem before (first six months). I don't think there is anything I can do better than what it is now. I have like a hundred wires running all in the same direction.

Is the Double Junction pH probes a new design, or is it the same as the old Lab Grade probe?

 

[slief]

Thanks Johnathan



Is the Double Junction pH probes a new design, or is it the same as the old Lab Grade probe?

The double junction probes are different than the standard original lab grade ones and should last much longer. They are ultimately a much better probe design and were only released by Neptune a handful of months ago. Double junction probes have been around for many years though they were typically much more expensive until recently.

 

[BlackTip]

The double junction probes are different than the standard original lab grade ones and should last much longer. They are ultimately a much better probe design and were only released by Neptune a handful of months ago. Double junction probes have been around for many years though they were typically much more expensive until recently.

Thanks again. I will buy one when in the next sale round.

 

[slief]

Thanks again. I will buy one when in the next sale round.

Black Friday is coming!

 

[n2585722]

If you want to try a different brand you can try Pinpoint probes. http://americanmarineusa.com/collections/accessories/products/pinpoint-ph-replacement-probe

 

[gus6464]

Brs probes are double junction and on black Friday they always have them at a good price.