Comprehensive Guide to Cleaning APEX Probes

[Isaac Alves]

Can someone provide this information? Step by step and for each probe type? I know it probably is something simple but i just can't find a definitive reference.

 

[Isaac Alves]

No one cleans their probes?!!! At least that's what I'm hearing.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

@Terence

 

[Ty Hamatake]

Wait... I'm going to have to clean them? Lol jk, just tagging along to see if you get your answer... I'm interested too.

 

[jsker]

Good question, I was just curious and went over to the neptune forum. All that was said was vinegar soak and a soft toothbrush

 

[Ty Hamatake]

Good question, I was just curious and went over to the neptune forum. All that was said was vinager soak and a soft th

I can't imagine it would get much more involved than that.

 

[epstein]

vinegar soak and a soft toothbrush... Re calibrate ... and watch .... because if its faulty youll need a new on . Ive seen em go bad...

 

[Broadfield]

I take 30 seconds, during every water change, and use a soft brush on them.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Vinegar is safe for ORP and Ph?

 

[jsker]

Let's see if @Terence gets back with this. According to post on the neptune forum, they use vinegar. No one from neptune formally answered the questions about cleaning with vinegar. I have had my Apex running for a year and I have not cleaned the probes for the reason I have not discovered a definitive method of cleaning the probes.

 

[Isaac Alves]

The only piece of information I've gathered across multiple forums is the use of a very soft tooth brush. But I've got some calcium build up on some of the external probes. Some lab based probes, outside of the aquarium hobby, have videos showing the use of specialized cleaners. But I haven't gathered anything more than that.....

 

[dysfam]

I keep mine in area with no light and I have not seen any build up over a year...I don't plan to clean them like ..... Ever! I make sure the cords are above water as Neptune advises that the cords might become crispy and easily cracked if submerged in salt water over a period of time.

 

[ksfulk]

The only piece of information I've gathered across multiple forums is the use of a very soft tooth brush. But I've got some calcium build up on some of the external probes. Some lab based probes, outside of the aquarium hobby, have videos showing the use of specialized cleaners. But I haven't gathered anything more than that.....

You could buy a specialty cleaner if you wanted, but you have to remember that probes used in the lab arent caked with the same things that your fish tank probes are. Some lab cleaners are strong detergents and would kill your livestock if it got in your tank. For removing calcium scale on the outside of the probe, you can either flake it off with a fingernail or something similar, hit it with a stiff nylon bristle brush, or soak it in a 2:1 water:vinegar solution for 30-60 minutes and then scrub/brush it off. For cleaning the actual probe, you want to use a soft bristle brush and becareful not to crack the glass frit (for pH probes) or break the platinum tip (ORP/Salinity probes) when brushing.

Its a good idea to recalibrate your probes when you clean them, as the accumulation of debris and scale on the probe may have caused some drift, and you want the data reported to be accurate (within the tolerance of the probe/device).

 

[jason2459]

My process is simple

1. Get a good sized cup.

2. Fill with some water and vinegar.

3. Place probe in cup

4. Wait. Time depending growth

5. Get a toothbrush and gently brush.

6. Recalibrate

7. Place back in service.

 

[jason2459]

I keep mine in area with no light and I have not seen any build up over a year...I don't plan to clean them like ..... Ever! I make sure the cords are above water as Neptune advises that the cords might become crispy and easily cracked if submerged in salt water over a period of time.

You don't need light to get build up. Bacteria mulm, tube worms, precipitation, etc

 

[Scott.h]

I only clean them when they don't read the results that I like :D

 

[dysfam]

You don't need light to get build up. Bacteria mulm, tube worms, precipitation, etc

Maybe it takes a bit more time to get there

 

[Ocelaris]

I just recalibrated two days ago, and my ph probe is now 0.2 less, wish I had known I could rinse in vinegar! But mine just has a few tube snails on it.

The only thing I would add is if it's not obvious, unplug it from your apex if you have alerts set up and pause any dosing based on pH as mine went crazy with alarms when soaking in ro water and the 10 pH calibration fluid.

 

[jwshiver]

Cleaned mine a few days ago. Soaked them in vinegar and cleaned them with a toothbrush. No problem. Second time I have cleaned them. They will take some time to settle back in. You can re-calibrate the pH and salinity. My ORP takes a few days to settle.

 

[Woodyth]

My process is simple

1. Get a good sized cup.

2. Fill with some water and vinegar.

3. Place probe in cup

4. Wait. Time depending growth

5. Get a toothbrush and gently brush.

6. Recalibrate

7. Place back in service.

Sorry to resurrect old post, but 3 years old, Still good to do this way or is there a better way ?