Contamination Ph Probe

[madlos123]

Im guessing this is due to bacterial or fungal contamination?
Its in the inside.
Its still reading fine, just got to recalibrate and retest to see if it drifts.
Its an American Marine Ph Monitor
I only use it to dip in my saltwater tank for 5 min to do a quick check for 6-12 months and always stored in the storage solution.
Is this toast? Should i just buy a cheaper probe?
Any recommendations?

Thank you

 

[rayadog]

This is a closed probe? As in there’s no fill hole for internal fluid?

 

[madlos123]

Its a clossed probe.

 

[madlos123]

I calibrated it with the 7 solution and its seem to be holding at 6.99 and 7. I tested my tank one side lights on and was reading 8.27 so i was surprised. Then everyone came to the basment (total 4 adults (including me) and my 2 year old toddler. Ph went down to 8.01 - 7.97 .

What's even crazy is that if i set my monitor box on tile/concrete the reading goes to 13. If i have the box sitting on something like plastic or anything it goes back reading normal instantly.

Also crazy is when the other side of light turn on, the ph went down like almost immediately to 8? instead of slowly going down?
Or is that from the co2 from all the people in the vicinity.

Ill test it next week if its still the same.

I have metal halide.

Weird interference?

 

[rayadog]

That is interesting. Heavy breathers? Lol. Small space? No lid? I’ve never seen such an immediate swing in 1 sample under the same conditions (not considering the crowd). Do you have any other way to double check it? Like the cheap api tests or strips or anything?

 

[madlos123]

Ill retest next week if its interferance from my lights or its co2.
I have a api test kit so ill try that too.

Its big enough space, i can probably fit 7 90 gallon tanks length wise and 5 90 gallon width wise.
I did have my sump door open. I have a canopy and no fan, unless its through convection due to metal halide heat.

 

[rayadog]

It’s hard to believe it swung that much in what I’m imagining was such a small time frame. I would double check it with literally anything; so API is fine. I think that’s their perfect niche just quick double checking.