Tolled to different things

[Pjhoehn]

Last Tuesday I ordered over $1000.00 in good 1 of the items was a Ph probe that I was going to need to set up the CA reactor that I bought at the same time. Thursday my stuff arrived and I set up my reactor and calibrated Ph probe I noted that the Ph on my tank appeared low so I added some buffer the next morning the Ph was below 7.8 so I added more buffer and increased the effluent a bit to try and raise the Ph in the effluent in hopes of keeping the Ph up. I did get the Ph up in the effluent but the Ph would stay at around 7.8. I added more buffer and it came up to 8.0 after I had to remove my return pump and soak it in vinegar because it seized. That should have been the first clew that something was up. This morning my Ph was again at 7.8. I then broke out the old Chem. Ph test kit and the test showed that the Ph was 8.2 I had just bought a new test kit this weekend and broke out its Ph chem. test it backed up the first chem. tests results. I though to my self the meter is out of calibration I broke out a new set of buffing solutions and the meter was still showing it was calibrated. My next step was to call Marine Depot and explain the problem and I was instructed to adjust the meter to 8.2 with the probe in the sump and to watch it, and to let them know what happens, and if there is a problem they said ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œI can see no problem send you out a new probeââ"šÂ¬Ã‚. I adjusted the meter to read 8.2 then put it in fresh buffing solutions and was so far out of whack I thought to my self having worked in a lab for 3 years that what I had just done wouldnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t accurate at all. So I called Marine Depot again and went threw the story again, then was tolled to call the manufacture I said that I was tolled that you would send out a new probe if it didnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t work I was then tolled again to call the manufacture that they would deal with it. I said there on the east coast there not going to be there it would have been 4:00pm there time. I called and got what sounded like someone home answering machine that someone would call me back. Now here I sit with a ca reactor I can do nothing with because I have no means of checking the Ph of the effluent.

Peter J Hoehn

 

[MarineDepot]

Hi Peter,

I apologize for trouble that you are having with the probe. It sounds like we gave you the incorrect advice by asking you to calibrate the probe to the tank's pH. Usually, if you can calibrate the probe with the calibration solutions, the probe should be fine. Quite often, other aquarium equipment will cause interference with the probe/meter, causing it to give an incorrect reading. We usually recommend our customers to pour some water in a cup then to measure the pH of the tank's water that cup. This helps to eliminate problems that may be caused by stray currents or other interferences. Also, try using a battery instead of the AC adapter (if you are using it). Give that a try and see if it makes any differences.

In regards to directing you to American Marine, it is actually their request that we referred you to them first. They can best troubleshoot the unit with you and find out what is wrong. Once the problem is determined, they will fix it ASAP (either by shipping a replacement to you directly or have us ship it to you, depending on which is quicker).

American Marine is quite good in returning calls promptly so you should hear from them shortly. If you do not hear from them by tomorrow afternoon, please give me a call at 714-385-0080 ext. 53, or email me at joseph@marinedepot.com and I will get in touch with you to work something out for you.

In the mean time, you can actually keep your calcium reactor running. Either use a conservative CO2 bubbling rate, or cut off the CO2 all together. Calcium reactors usually take some time to break in, so you should be okay for a couple of days.

Once again, I apologize for the delay any inconveniences caused. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any further questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Joseph
Marine Depot Customer Service
www.marinedepot.com
714-385-0080

 

[Pjhoehn]

I just tried what you asked I removed the AC P.S. and put a battery in the unit I took the unit along with the buffers and a water sample to another room in the house. Re calibrated the meter and got the exact same readings as I had before. Ill wait for a call from American Marine.

Sea-Ya
Pete

 

[MarineDepot]

Let me know how it turns out. If it is indeed a bad probe, we will definitely get one to you ASAP.

Sincerely,
Joseph
Marine Depot Customer Service
www.marinedepot.com
714-385-0080

 

[hwynboy]

I bought a PH monitor from MD as well...I had a problem with my probe too. I called MD and they told me to call AM...I did and they handled it perfectly, sent me out a new one I sent them the bad one. IME I have always had good transactions with MD Joseph and his gang to a great job. I buy all my dry goods from them. And they are knowledgable as well.

 

[Pjhoehn]

Well I learned allot this afternoon on pH readings and my pH meter was after all giving me a correct reading after talking to American Marine. Here is what I learned first of all the manufactures of test kit are in the market to sell you there kits! Here is how they do it, I was also in formed on average we aquarist have 3.2 test kits at any given time I was on the low side only having 2. We also want to see that our water chemistry is in spec. if its out, I have done as I know that you have probably done it to, say that cant be right and try a different test kit and bingo thereââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s the reading that you want and you ended up buying a new test kit. That means you just dropped good $ to be tolled what you want to here not the fact that there may be a water chemistry problem.

As far as my pH problem I figured out it was my own fault I have been dosing limewater via Nelson Reactor and it was getting ready to be reloaded with kaulk and I didnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t because I had my new toy was coming, my korallin reactor. This morning my pH was around 7.6 and I thought to myself @#%$ meter and did nothing to the tank and when I got home later in the afternoon it was at 8.0. Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m going try to be dripping limewater at night to see if I can bring up the pH a bit higher.

Sea-Ya
Pete