Salinity Probes that work with the Apex

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Even the hydros probes stay at a good price of $140 and that’s a kit with solution

You don't have to use a hydros branded probe. Apera 2310c is what's in the hydros kit, standard BNC probe (they marked it up in price too). You can source the apera conductivity probe in the wild for 60-80$.

I used one of my old spare pasco probes that still was a BNC connector on the hydros and it works just fine. It also calibrated stupid easy with just 35ppt solution.

 

[MnFish1]

You've been saying this forever. Many including myself have more than proven otherwise that non Neptune branded probes work just fine.

Yeah, it's a little more work, but to be locked into a ecosystems products (which are waaayyy overpriced) is just bogus IMHO.

Yep - it's my opinion - and I haven't changed it. Is that ok? I don't have any problem if someone wants to use a different brand of probe. I believe you've given your opinion multiple times as well - which is what a discussion board is for, right?

By the way - my main objection is not that the APEX probe is so great - or well priced, it's more along the lines of 'the salinity probe is not that helpful (except in the case of an ATO)', and the possibility it could void the warranty.

 

[RoanokeReef]

I like the one from AliExpress better as there's nowhere for the bubbles to get trapped unlike the Neptune one.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Yep - it's my opinion - and I haven't changed it. Is that ok? I don't have any problem if someone wants to use a different brand of probe. I believe you've given your opinion multiple times as well - which is what a discussion board is for, right?

By the way - my main objection is not that the APEX probe is so great - or well priced, it's more along the lines of 'the salinity probe is not that helpful (except in the case of an ATO)', and the possibility it could void the warranty.

How would it void your warranty? That's seriously reaching there... There is no practical way to fry the PM2 or control head from using a non branded probe.

 

[MnFish1]

How would it void your warranty? That's seriously reaching there... There is no practical way to fry the PM2 or control head from using a non branded probe.

OK - call apex and ask them yourself - if I use a non- apex probe in my apex does it void my warranty. Why are you making an argument here? I mean - I dont care who uses an Apex probe or a non-apex probe. I wouldn't do it - until I had assurance from apex that it wouldn't change my warranty if defective etc. I mean - it kind of surprising - people talking about 200$ pieces of equipment - withe multiple hundreds/thousands of coral and fish.

"using non-Neptune Systems products connected to your Apex could void the warranty if it causes damage to the Apex system. While the Apex system is designed to control various equipment, damage caused by external devices, improper voltage, or incorrect connections (like plugging a USB device into a AquaBus port) will not be covered under Neptune's warranty"

 

[gbroadbridge]

OK - call apex and ask them yourself - if I use a non- apex probe in my apex does it void my warranty. Why are you making an argument here? I mean - I dont care who uses an Apex probe or a non-apex probe. I wouldn't do it - until I had assurance from apex that it wouldn't change my warranty if defective etc. I mean - it kind of surprising - people talking about 200$ pieces of equipment - withe multiple hundreds/thousands of coral and fish.

"using non-Neptune Systems products connected to your Apex could void the warranty if it causes damage to the Apex system. While the Apex system is designed to control various equipment, damage caused by external devices, improper voltage, or incorrect connections (like plugging a USB device into a AquaBus port) will not be covered under Neptune's warranty"

I always find it a bit weird when folks buy something like an expensive European car and then scrimp on parts/service like they are being smart and are winning some kind of war.

Just buy the genuine parts or don't buy the car.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I always find it a bit weird when folks buy something like an expensive European car and then scrimp on parts/service like they are being smart and are winning some kind of war.

Just buy the genuine parts or don't buy the car.

Lol, I'm a former 20+ year BMW/Mini owner. That one doesn't hold water either. The Indy mechanic is still using the same parts from the same German parts manufacturer with 50% savings purely because it isn't the dealer or the markup because it's the dealer. Once it's out of "warranty" do what you will. Upside the magnuson-moss act protects you from that bs crap the dealers pull about not honoring the warranty if it wasn't done by them.

My gripe is that @MnFish1 is arguing about the warranty and that's for an whopping year from neptune. Once your past that, your on your own anyway. All they will do is offer you a replacement at a laughable "discount", BTDT by the way. Obviously not due to a busted probe, lol.

Again, plenty of folks use Milwaukee, pinpoint, apera, atlas scientific probes for ORP and PH and it doesn't break anything, so what's the difference with a non Neptune labeled conductivity probe?

 

[gbroadbridge]

Lol, I'm a former 20+ year BMW/Mini owner. That one doesn't hold water either. The Indy mechanic is still using the same parts from the same German parts manufacturer with 50% savings purely because it isn't the dealer or the markup because it's the dealer.

That's not the same, I'm talking about those who use non OEM parts. :-)

Like a non Apex part in an Apex, or a non BMW part in a BMW.

Why?

 

[RoanokeReef]

That's not the same, I'm talking about those who use non OEM parts. :-)

Like a non Apex part in an Apex, or a non BMW part in a BMW.

Why?

So, you only use OEM air and cabin filters?

Using another salinity probe is like using a float switch on the breakout box.

 

[MnFish1]

Lol, I'm a former 20+ year BMW/Mini owner. That one doesn't hold water either. The Indy mechanic is still using the same parts from the same German parts manufacturer with 50% savings purely because it isn't the dealer or the markup because it's the dealer. Once it's out of "warranty" do what you will. Upside the magnuson-moss act protects you from that bs crap the dealers pull about not honoring the warranty if it wasn't done by them.

My gripe is that @MnFish1 is arguing about the warranty and that's for an whopping year from neptune. Once your past that, your on your own anyway. All they will do is offer you a replacement at a laughable "discount", BTDT by the way. Obviously not due to a busted probe, lol.

Again, plenty of folks use Milwaukee, pinpoint, apera, atlas scientific probes for ORP and PH and it doesn't break anything, so what's the difference with a non Neptune labeled conductivity probe?

And I've already told you I don't disagree with using a different probe - anyone can do what they want. I personally (when my apex probe failed) - used a refractometer and didn't miss the probe at all. Let's face it the only benefit to the probe would be to alert someone that their auto top-off is lowering the salinity. Otherwise if you have a tank at SG 1.025 and change water with water with a SG of 1.025 there will be no change in salinity

 

[MnFish1]

I always find it a bit weird when folks buy something like an expensive European car and then scrimp on parts/service like they are being smart and are winning some kind of war.

Just buy the genuine parts or don't buy the car.

I think there is a little difference here - in that to run the car the parts are required. You don't need an Apex (or any other probe) to run a reef aquarium. But - as far as the car - my experience with a foreign car is that the warranty they gave you for a non manufacturer part is the same - so I dont have a problem using non manufacture parts - but I get your point

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

It's weird to read people debate oem vs aftermarket probes. At the 6-12 month interval, who replaces their pH probe with the Neptune brand? I personally get whatever works off of Amazon.

The argument of "right to repair" seems to fit for this discussion. Once we own an apex It's our perogative to do what we want to keep it working.

I find it silly and how snobbish it sounds to suggest that the price of a product should dictate the origin of the replacement parts.

When it comes time to replace a part, I consider cost and compatibility. If I can find a probe that operates in the same range as the Neptune conductivity probe and it's cheaper, than its a no brainer to me.

I get the brand loyalty factor, but I really don't subscribe to it. I view it in the manner that a company is reliant on me to purchase their product. I don't need to solicit for them as well. I don't need to do their job in pushing their brand. I don't need to make them money.

 

[jjam]

I guess ill just keep eye out for a good used one or a sale.

 

[galantra]

Makes it challenging still hoping that company reaches out would love to put a order in

 

[jonelder68]

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809437385251.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt
Seems back available?

Listing says not compatible with A3 pro? Anyone confirm it works with an A3 pro?

Also has anyone tried installing these aliexpress probes in a VCA salinity stability kit? Are they compatible?

https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/shop/sps-kit-the-salinity-probe-shield/

 

[Jasonak]

I always find it a bit weird when folks buy something like an expensive European car and then scrimp on parts/service like they are being smart and are winning some kind of war.

Just buy the genuine parts or don't buy the car.

If our OEM parts fail at 60k Why would I buy OEM parts again?
This has nothing to do with the prob and everything to do with mini coopers :P

 

[Swoff11]

I just received and set up one of the above mentioned aliexpress x10 probes. It was not as pictured online and has an open glass probe tip that is extra delicate so be careful. It was packed decently in a plastic box with a foam insert and arrived in about 2 weeks tops. I cut the original Neptune probe and shrink wrapped after twisting wires, then sealed with self adhesive silicon tape. Well worth the $33 and the time involved to save $150 in my opinion.. do it.. happy reefing all.

Thanks! This is pretty much what I did, but I used solder and shrink tubing followed by electrical tape just to be sure. So far it’s working. No need to make a mini din adapter.

 

[reefmaster70]

For those interested in the NON OEM conductivity probe. The company just reached out to me and they have more available again. Note...price point is now $117 US. Obviously they know they are the only game in the marketplace for a generic probe for the Apex.

 

[Rich1987]

For those interested in the NON OEM conductivity probe. The company just reached out to me and they have more available again. Note...price point is now $117 US. Obviously they know they are the only game in the marketplace for a generic probe for the Apex.

Thank you for the heads up ! I ordered the two they had left in stock ! Been waiting on this !
Thanks again for the notice !!!!

 

[DiscoStuart]

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256809437385251.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt
Seems back available?

Listing says not compatible with A3 pro? Anyone confirm it works with an A3 pro?

Also has anyone tried installing these aliexpress probes in a VCA salinity stability kit? Are they compatible?

https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/shop/sps-kit-the-salinity-probe-shield/

A bit late, but no, they are not compatable. At least the Ali-Express one I got had an end that was far too wide to fit in the VCA stability kit. Well, at least the one that I got earlier in the year. The photo above shows a different end than the one I have, so not sure about the more recent offerings.