Salinity probe

[benmed]

My apex salinity probe seems to be malfunctioning. It’s just over a year old which is a little disappointing. I have tried calibrating it, but without success. Any tips? If not, is there a budget friendly way to monitor salinity through apex? It’s nice to have an alarm set in the event one of the pumps or auto water top offs malfunctions

 

[esquare]

Have you tested for stray voltage? Put the probe in a cup of tank water and let it sit to see if it stays settled or does the same thing. Also, have you rerouted the cable or other cables recently? There may be interference from something else.

 

[benmed]

Yup. You’re right. You just saved me like $200 so you should have some good karma headed your way. Thanks

 

[esquare]

Awesome, glad it worked out.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yup. You’re right. You just saved me like $200 so you should have some good karma headed your way. Thanks

What exactly was the issue?

Stray voltage may or may not be an issue for the apex device itself (no idea about its internal workings), but voltage is not typically a source of issues for a conductivity probe. Those use a high frequency AC to avoid a number of problems that would arise from DC or lower frequency AC.

 

[benmed]

What exactly was the issue?

Stray voltage may or may not be an issue for the apex device itself (no idea about its internal workings), but voltage is not typically a source of issues for a conductivity probe. Those use a high frequency AC to avoid a number of problems that would arise from DC or lower frequency AC.

The issue was inaccurate readings, very low which did not correlate with refractoneter. Calibrations did not seem to work. I have a cabinet with a next if wires and one of them ran thru that. I pulled to cord out from that and ran it separately and re calibrated it. It’s still reading a little low, about 0.5 off from refractometer, but in a way that seems more trustable. I don’t think it was the plug was loose because I checked that but I suppose it could also be a loose wire that I jiggled back in place when I pulled the wire out. But, maybe it’s still faulty. Time will tell.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The issue was inaccurate readings, very low which did not correlate with refractoneter. Calibrations did not seem to work. I have a cabinet with a next if wires and one of them ran thru that. I pulled to cord out from that and ran it separately and re calibrated it. It’s still reading a little low, about 0.5 off from refractometer, but in a way that seems more trustable. I don’t think it was the plug was loose because I checked that but I suppose it could also be a loose wire that I jiggled back in place when I pulled the wire out. But, maybe it’s still faulty. Time will tell.

Ok, thanks for the info. :)

 

[Alexr54]

I have a similar issue as well. My Apex salinity probe is a couple years old and just started to fluctuate readings alot. When before it was stable. Trying to calibrate it, it does not read exactly at 35ppm like it should with the solution i am using.
I tested the solution with a Milwaukee digital refractometer to be sure.

The probe did have a fair amount of growth on it, but even after cleaning its the same. So i figure its time for a replacement which i just made another post on asking for replacement options, or if sticking with the apex probe is best.

 

[benmed]

I have a similar issue as well. My Apex salinity probe is a couple years old and just started to fluctuate readings alot. When before it was stable. Trying to calibrate it, it does not read exactly at 35ppm like it should with the solution i am using.
I tested the solution with a Milwaukee digital refractometer to be sure.

The probe did have a fair amount of growth on it, but even after cleaning its the same. So i figure its time for a replacement which i just made another post on asking for replacement options, or if sticking with the apex probe is best.

Can you link your post? Buying a salinity probe for $200 from apex is tough to swallow

 

[Alexr54]

Can you link your post? Buying a salinity probe for $200 from apex is tough to swallow

I agree.
Here is my post, its new and has not gotten any replies as of yet.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/apex-salinity-probe-replacement-options.1067442/

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, conductivity probes should not wear out unless you damaged it with too aggressive abrasive cleaning (unlike pH probes which can wear out as the internal fluids change over time).

conductivity probes can get coated with stuff, get bubbles on them, etc.

How did you try to clean it?

 

[esquare]

FWIW, conductivity probes should not wear out unless you damaged it with too aggressive abrasive cleaning (unlike pH probes which can wear out as the internal fluids change over time).

conductivity orobes can get coated with stuff, get bubbles on them, etc.

How did you try to clean it?

That's good to know, Thanks Randy. That makes paying $200 for the Apex probe a little easier to swallow.