DA Reef Keeper Lite PH Reading Problem

[nclgedxxv@yahoo]

Hi Guys,
Just new in the forum and my apology if I have put this thread in the wrong section but would need some help:
I have a RKL with the following information:
Head Unit with Version 1.01
2x RKM PC4
1x RKM SL1
1x Ph Probe
1x Temp Probe BUS Connector
Concern: 1. I've been having problems showing itemp error.I've been swapping bus etc but still can't get it working.
2. Ph Probe was properly calibrated with a reading of 7.00 using the 7 Solution and 9.98 for the 10 Solution.Now this morning the Head Unit is saying Ph=6.64 of which I verified with an API Ph Test and from my judgement its roughly in between 8 to 8.2.

Please advise what do I need to do.

 

[-=Efrain=-]

If your test kit is old it could give a false reading. Is the probe in a good spot were the water is moving? Can you move the probe for a quick test to the main display to check the reading? If all else fails I would take a sample of water to the nearest fish store and have them do a quick Ph test to confirm your kit is good. After that I would re-calibrate your Reef-keeper. i had one for years and it was perfect so I know it's a good system.

 

[nclgedxxv@yahoo]

Thanks Efain for the response currently its on a sump with a good flow I will move it now to the main display how about the itemp error any suggestion?

 

[fishguy306]

How old is the pH probe? They do require replacement pretty often. I also had the itemp probe crap out on me when I was using the lite. That said it was also several years old. I replaced the probe and it was back to working fine.

 

[nclgedxxv@yahoo]

thanks fishguy,probe is new bought it last week,the itemp probe for sure is an old one,I bought the RKL from a guy,i called already digital aquatics and from my firmware version they recommend to upgrade the firmware 1st any further suggestion?planning to pickup the SIDV2 later...I relocated the ph probe to main tank and the reading just change from 6.64 to 6.83 after 3 to 4 hours....

 

[fishguy306]

If you stick the pH probe back into the calibration fluid does it give correct readings still? I had issues getting mine calibrated at first as well. I ended up following a youtube video to do it as I couldn't get it right

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe4KXK2Ux-E

Also, you waited until the number quit bouncing around, correct? If I remember right it should flip back and forth between two numbers, it can take a long time to settle down at that point.

 

[nclgedxxv@yahoo]

Hi Fishguy306,yes that is correct after the calibration using the same calibration fluid I did get a value of 7.00 and 9.98,and yes waited for those number to stabilize and correct flipping up and down and yes waited a long to ensure its really stable,got the SIDV2 now so will be doing the firmware update after reading forums and instructions....

 

[nclgedxxv@yahoo]

Update 8/19: I did managed to upgrade firmware to latest for all modules,calibrated properly the probe with an after calibration reading of: 7.08 & 9.98 and this was done last night then I have mounted the probe to my sump and this morning reading is showing 6.64 I verified again with an API and from judgement I am at in between 8 to 8.2.From the FW Upgrade and other function on the head unit I think everything is ok I can control all terminals ,this Ph probe is new ,Nnot sure what to do now.Will call DA Support and ask them again what do I need to do,reading is way too low. Please give me some advise what do I need to do.And the youtube video is the same as what I have dome with an RODI Water cleaning back and forth.

 

[fishguy306]

That is odd, at this point I'm lost. I'm not sure what could be causing it besides maybe getting a faulty probe. I'd hate to think that your SL1 is messed up or anything.

I know people complain about DA's customer service but I do feel it has gotten much, much better in recent months. They should be able to give you some advice. Also I hate to guide you away from here, but you might want to ask on their forums-

http://www.forum.digitalaquatics.com/

They have a lot of people who really know what they are doing. You'll probably get the best answers over there. Sorry I'm not more help!

 

[ayckorea]

try to return it, your DA ph probe should come with 3 months warranty

 

[-=Efrain=-]

Ask your local fish shop to connect one of their probes to test it. Or someone on here that is local to you. Or yeah send it back..

 

[nclgedxxv@yahoo]

Thanks Guy,I called already aqua pros and stated there's a big potential that I will return the probe,they stated that I should try bring a test water to a LFS near me.
They are willing to test my water as well.Currently doing an aeration test.Using PH Probe
as well as API,so far I am observing using the API Test reading did jump for a high PH from 8-8.2 to 8.2-8.4.The ph probe did also increase reading from 6.8 to 7.55.I will try to repeat all evaluation and will also measure the 7 and 10 fluid.If my expectation is correct,I may be getting a good reading for the ph probe but outside the tank measurement.Question: The aeration Test,does it mean doing the outside aeration would help ph to increase?and does it mean putting my air pump outside to pump fresh air inside the tank would be the best?Because when i have made the inside aeration test,using the PH probe the reading went lower.I will try to repeat everything again one more time.Also what if the fluid and probe would read good using the probe?Meaning outside measurement is good but in-tank is low,does it mean the aeration im doing now is casuing ph to go low?sorry if quite confusing..I just want to ensure I have a good probe,the API is good with 2019 expiration....

 

[nclgedxxv@yahoo]

And as expected,using the 7.0 fluid less than an hour the probe is now reading 7.08 and if I wait more longer it will read 7.0 I will still do the 10.0 fluid measurement and if this is measure near 10.00 I don't know now why I am having a low ph reading in the sump of 6.85.Its telling me the probe is good ,API also is reading good as all my corals are bulging and open.I just want the h probe and APO ti be parallel or close in the reading.Not sure what to do but will do more test with different ph probe location.....

 

[arioch]

ReefKeeper probe ports are improperly (read: not) isolated and if you have any amount of stray voltage/current in your tank your probes will read wrong (especially but not limited to salinity due to the fact that it measures conductivity).

You've got 2 things to fix:

1) go through every pump and heater in your tank and check for stray current
2) get rid of the reefkeeper

I ended up doing both--went with a refurb apex controller and was overall much happier.

 

[MrineLfRlz]

So did you ever find the solution yet?
Im having the same problem and when i read about the stray voltage problem with non properly grounded units i took some tank water and put it in a cup and placed my ph prob in it and it raised to 8.02 put back into the sump and now it reads 7.88, difference of .14. I see the ph change through the day as it should but with a lower reading. Im going to try to add .14 to the lower reading and keep checking ph with my salifert test kit which btw reads from 8-8.1 on the color chart when tested. So even with alittle stray voltage it still may be usable.