Reasonably priced PH meter?

[EllisJuan]

I am colorblind and reading some of the standard solution based tests can be challenging. I ordered a Hanna PO4 checker and am looking for a digital PH meter that will be accurate and relatively inexpensive. I would really like to spend less than $50. Can anyone recommend one for me?

 

[bertoni]

I haven't tried any meters in that price range. I have an Oakton pHTestr unit that seems fine, but it was a bit over $100.

 

[pnosko]

I haven't tried any meters in that price range. I have an Oakton pHTestr unit that seems fine, but it was a bit over $100.

Which model? I see three like that name on Amazon in the $50-$60 range.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

I think that you need to get a pH meter that requires calibration with two different solutions (usually pH 7 and pH 10) for accuracy.

I use American Marine's PINPOINT meter. Sadly, cheap pH monitors usually have a single calibration point.

 

[bertoni]

The model I have is no longer made. The closest match would be the pHTestr 30.

 

[kaoscoder]

I'm not colorblind but I always have a problem with the colors in test kits as well. I have the Phosphate, Alkalinity, and Calcium checkers from Hanna and will buy their future testers, I just love them. I have the American Marine PINPOINT pH monitor and while it's more than $50, it's well worth it IMO.

I'm not familiar with the cheaper ones. I would read the reviews and the Q&A's, check for comments on accuracy and how often you have to calibrate. If you constantly have to recalibrate (which can be a pain), you probably won't use it very much, you know?

 

[dkeller_nc]

I am colorblind and reading some of the standard solution based tests can be challenging. I ordered a Hanna PO4 checker and am looking for a digital PH meter that will be accurate and relatively inexpensive. I would really like to spend less than $50. Can anyone recommend one for me?

There are many pH meters in this price range - they're typically termed "pH pens". However, I would suggest that you save your $$ and buy a meter in the $100 range with a detachable probe. The issue with a pH pen is that the probe and electronics are made as a single unit, and all pH probes eventually fail when their junction gets clogged. With a pH pen, you throw the whole unit away and buy another. If you've a meter with a detachable probe, you throw the probe away and buy another.

Keep in mind that it's really not necessary to measure pH in a saltwater aquarium - many successful reefers never measure pH.

 

[tmz]

I use a pinpoint by American Marine. I also have a Milwaukee and prefer the pinpoint. Eatiher costs around $100 though. Tried a pen typed years ago ; it didn't last very long.

 

[luisagos]

I be honest just checking your pH randomly is just a waste of time, in my opinion.

pH changes so much through the day, it would hard to get a snapshot at what is really going on.

I have three tanks, 2 at home, and 1 at work. The one at work I dont even check.
The other 2 I got a full PLC Automation Control Systems going on.

If your not going to be continuos be monitoring the system then don't bother with it.

Get a reef controller, they all are going to do pH monitoring, or get GLI PRO-P3 pH/ORP Transmitter (Industrial Meters) for around $50 on Ebay.
If you need pH probe get the one from BRS, the lab version they are very high quality for $40 probe, when they go on sale.

This is coming from guy who has probably has the most automated system on reef central.

 

[tmz]

I personally, think monitoring pH at the same time(s) day/night every daily is useful. Less frequent monitoring at the same time of day each time is also useful but less so.

 

[luisagos]

I personally, think monitoring pH at the same time(s) day/night every daily is useful. Less frequent monitoring at the same time of day each time is also useful but less so.

I agree, but I would suck at that, trying to do that same test every day at the same time.
Nothing is better than having history chart to look at trends if you need to do some troubleshooting or tweaking.

 

[pnosko]

I be honest just checking your pH randomly is just a waste of time, in my opinion.

pH changes so much through the day, it would hard to get a snapshot at what is really going on.

Does it vary enough to negatively affect tank inhabitants?

If your not going to be continuos be monitoring the system then don't bother with it.

You don't think it's useful to just check the water you're about to use for a water change?

 

[BuzzPion]

I never check my pH. One can drive themselves nuts trying to chase a pH magic number.

 

[pnosko]

I use a pinpoint by American Marine.

This looks to be a good price vs. performance device. Thanks.

 

[MRJ]

If you have an apex I would just go with there lab grade probe it can be nice to watch if you are carbon dosing. But I honestly would not worrie about your ph. So many companies market there buffers to strive for these numbers that are just unrealistic to a reef. People constantly buffing there tank are doing more harm then good. Just maintain proper alkalinity magnesium and calcium and all should be fine. I think some people are better off not knowing there ph because they wont freak out and mess with there water when its low. My ph at night gets down to 7.55-7.6 according to my probe and the afternoon usually peeks around 8.2 my sps corals are insanely colorful. I have not lost a coral in my tank. I feel that monitoring and maintaining 380~ potassium is much more important than ph.

 

[luisagos]

Does it vary enough to negatively affect tank inhabitants?
You don't think it's useful to just check the water you're about to use for a water change?

1) I guess you never seen a pH trend. Normal pH trend will not effect anything.

2) If your checking your pH on the water your about to change (normal water change), your wasting your time.

 

[bertoni]

Sometimes, tanks seem to suffer from a pH low enough to cause problems, but that seems extremely rare. Measurement problems are very common, though. I'm not sure whether pH testing is more help or hindrance on average. If you're using a meter that is run on batteries and test a sample cup of water, that eliminates a couple error sources. Keeping the meter calibrated is another good step.

 

[tmz]

There is no magic pH number; it's just a measure of acidity/bascicity,ie H+ activity. It is driven by the CO2 level in the water.
Seawater ranges around 8.1 to 8.2. The organisms we keep are adpated to that range ,generally.
Tanks run reasonably well in the 7.8 to 8.4 range including diurnal swing.

7.7 or less can lead to coral skeleton dissolving;

too much H+ can make it hard for corals and other calcareous organisms to calcify,anecdotally mine seem to do better when its clser to seawater values;

high PH can lead to precipitation of calcium carbonate.

I prefer 8.15 to 8.35.

Monitoring can be done and errors and nosie issues overcome with patience ,good equipment and a small amount of time .

PH can be managed without upsetting other parameters like alkainity in several ways ;often as simple as more fresh air.

 

[dkeller_nc]

I am colorblind and reading some of the standard solution based tests can be challenging. I ordered a Hanna PO4 checker and am looking for a digital PH meter that will be accurate and relatively inexpensive. I would really like to spend less than $50. Can anyone recommend one for me?

Juan - I just read your signature line. I'm confused; if you have an Apex running your tank, why do you want a separate pH meter?

 

[10reefman]

My Neptune ph meter is reading 10.3 after calibration should I worry, alk is 9. I Oder a new lab grade probe the old probe is more than 2 years old