Are all pH calibration solutions created equal? Calibrating my alkatronic pH probe.

[Daniel@R2R]

OK, so this is probably a stupid question, but does it matter where I get my calibration solution for calibrating my alkatronic's pH probe? Do I need to get the stuff specifically put out for that unit, or will pH calibration solution I find on Amazon be adequate?

 

[dwest]

OK, so this is probably a stupid question, but does it matter where I get my calibration solution for calibrating my alkatronic's pH probe? Do I need to get the stuff specifically put out for that unit, or will pH calibration solution I find on Amazon be adequate?

I think the individual packs are better than the multi use bottles but I have never had a bad “brand”.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Some meters require certain pH values for calibration, so as long as you match those pH values, brand is unimportant.

Some meters allow any pH values for calibration, and in that case, you can use anything that spans the range of interest.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

The alkatronic calls for 7 and 4, so as long as I get those, I'm good, right?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The alkatronic calls for 7 and 4, so as long as I get those, I'm good, right?

Yes.

 

[Acros]

I got higher readings when calibrating same probe with Neptune solutions vs pinpoint solutions.

It could just be a bad batch.

 

[jda]

I would pay attention to the expiry dates and use fresh packets. I might have had a problem with this once...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

pH 10 solutions especially drop in pH as they age.

 

[Malcontent]

There are also packets of dry powder or tablets that you mix with anywhere from 20-250 mL of distilled/RO/DI water. They generally have a longer shelf life, are cheaper, and take up much less space.