I just purchased a Pinpoint monitor for the zoo project since I could get reliable measures on the 180 display. Further readings of Randy Holmes-farley articles on the Chemistry forum indicate that Ph test kits are often unreliable. I tested my home tanks and sure enough I found that the ph of my tanks was much lower than what all my liquid test kits were telling me. My home ph runs close to 7.8 during the day when ph should be at its highest. I drip kalkwasser at night which should offset any further drop. The low ph indicates that I most likely need to boost alkalinity. This will help raise ph or at least help offset any decalcification resulting from low ph (which is the principle danger of low ph. Thats why folks with calcium reactors are often OK even if their CO2 levels produce declines in Ph. I'm anxious to test the zoo parameters with this monitor. As indicated in another thread, my suspicion is that Ph is running too high as a result of the breakdown of the massive quantities of the diy rock. We'll see. I never previously wanted to sink money into electronic probes but I no longer have any trust in test kits. I propose that we form an electronic probe cooperative and pool a host of probes. Just like with the PAR meter than ran through upstate New York recently. We could all interchange use of the monitors we might occasionally need. I would personally love to get my hands on a Ca, Alk, and PO4 monitor. By the way, if anyone needs to borrow the Ph monitor after I finish using it at the zoo, let me know. Its no problem as long as it is cared for and returned within a reasonable time frame.
new Ph monitor observations
- Thread starter drbronx
- Start date
Pinpoint Ph Monitor/probe from Premium aquatics for $89.95. It very easy to calibrate but you need to purchase calibration fluids separately. You need to get ph 4 or 10 and ph 7 mfluid packets ($1 each).
Unfortunately Nitrate and Calcium monitors run about $250, thus my suggestion to pool their use. If twelve of us chipped in $25 we could all have a Ca monitor! Maybe I'm a latent communist.
Unfortunately Nitrate and Calcium monitors run about $250, thus my suggestion to pool their use. If twelve of us chipped in $25 we could all have a Ca monitor! Maybe I'm a latent communist.
Too funny Vince!
Its also a trip to watch changes in real time as you make pH corrections. In my case I added some Sea Chems Reef Buffer and can add in just enough to raise ph to the desired amount and voila! In another tank I did the same thing by adding limewater. Its a horrible analogy but it feels like I've been blind and just had sight restored. pH vision~!
Its also a trip to watch changes in real time as you make pH corrections. In my case I added some Sea Chems Reef Buffer and can add in just enough to raise ph to the desired amount and voila! In another tank I did the same thing by adding limewater. Its a horrible analogy but it feels like I've been blind and just had sight restored. pH vision~!
I use Both a Milwaukee PH controller and a Milwaukee Ph Monitor. I have used Pinpoint but found that they do not last very long... after about 2 years them seem to go haywire. I use the Controller for my calicium reactor and the monitor for the tank's Ph. Currently my tank runs 7.9 to 8.0
nwrogers
Got gorgs?
Goo article Nate: One of the many must reads from R H-F. he is the man. I don't know how many times I've read that article. Have you or anyone ever tried the Borax calibration method? According to randy, we can't trust the calibraton fluids. Plus you can only use them once. monitors should be recalibrated every month. I'd hate to buy commercial fluids every time.
BTW Nate: I agree, based on the above article, pH of 7.8 is fine as long as alkalinity and Ca are kept at good levels to prevent decalcification and maintain coral's ability to extract calcium carbonate. I just get nervous about maintaining levels that close to the envelope since it leaves very little margin for error on the downside in case something gets whacky. I prefer to keep it up around 8 -8.2 if I can. Most people with calcium reactors run lower pH due to the higher concentrations of CO2 with no ill effects.
