I recently purchased an Apex salinity probe for monitoring auto-water-exchange.
Calibrated it, put it in my tank, and reading was 39.3 ppt. (1.0296)
Confused, I did quite a few re-calibrations and testing versus refractometers after that.
I am stumped.
It seems something in the display tank water is throwing off conductivity.
For results below:
RF1 = Marine Depot Refractometer, calibrated using Pinpoint 35.
RF2 = D-D Refractometer, calibrated using Pinpoint 35.
APX = Apex Salinity Monitor, calibrated using Pinpoint 35.
Pinpoint 35 reference solution:
RF1 = RF2 = APX = 35 ppt. All match, obviously, since this was calibration fluid.
Aqua Craft 35 reference solution:
RF1 = RF2 = APX = 35 ppt. All match. Apex was technically 35.2
Freshly made salt water, carefully mixed:
RF1 = RF2 = APX = 35 ppt. All match. Apex was 35.3
DISPLAY TANK WATER:
RF1 = RF2 = 35 ppt
APX = 39.1 ppt. <=== OFF!!
So everything matches great except real tank water.
I originally used the Apex supplied 53 ms calibration fluid, but ran out. (Hence the 39.3 -> 39.1 mismatch). Basically the same.
I tried to keep temperature the same when calibrating and testing. Likely imperfectly though.
I tried tank water in a bucket, to eliminate stray voltage issues, and it had no effect.
I dose Baking soda and Calcium Chloride. Along with small amounts of magnesium sulfate + magnesium chloride.
I run Carbon + GFO. Water changes < 10% per month.
Water temp = 77.5
ORP = 330
I re-calibrated Apex to tank water, and it only varied about +/- 0.3 over the last week.
Any ideas?
Looking at other sites, it seems I am not the only one with conductivity issues.
Calibrated it, put it in my tank, and reading was 39.3 ppt. (1.0296)
Confused, I did quite a few re-calibrations and testing versus refractometers after that.
I am stumped.
It seems something in the display tank water is throwing off conductivity.
For results below:
RF1 = Marine Depot Refractometer, calibrated using Pinpoint 35.
RF2 = D-D Refractometer, calibrated using Pinpoint 35.
APX = Apex Salinity Monitor, calibrated using Pinpoint 35.
Pinpoint 35 reference solution:
RF1 = RF2 = APX = 35 ppt. All match, obviously, since this was calibration fluid.
Aqua Craft 35 reference solution:
RF1 = RF2 = APX = 35 ppt. All match. Apex was technically 35.2
Freshly made salt water, carefully mixed:
RF1 = RF2 = APX = 35 ppt. All match. Apex was 35.3
DISPLAY TANK WATER:
RF1 = RF2 = 35 ppt
APX = 39.1 ppt. <=== OFF!!
So everything matches great except real tank water.
I originally used the Apex supplied 53 ms calibration fluid, but ran out. (Hence the 39.3 -> 39.1 mismatch). Basically the same.
I tried to keep temperature the same when calibrating and testing. Likely imperfectly though.
I tried tank water in a bucket, to eliminate stray voltage issues, and it had no effect.
I dose Baking soda and Calcium Chloride. Along with small amounts of magnesium sulfate + magnesium chloride.
I run Carbon + GFO. Water changes < 10% per month.
Water temp = 77.5
ORP = 330
I re-calibrated Apex to tank water, and it only varied about +/- 0.3 over the last week.
Any ideas?
Looking at other sites, it seems I am not the only one with conductivity issues.