Who makes the best PH probe?

[EGorman]

Some of Milwaukee’s pH probes are compatible with Apex. There’s a few that have the same style connection, but others that don’t. As far as which probe to get I’d head over to Milwaukee’s website and get a double junction lab grade probe. I believe these two below will work. Double check it before you buy.

https://milwaukeeinstruments.com/milwaukee-ph-probe/

https://milwaukeeinstruments.com/double-junction-ph-electrode/

TY will check these out

 

[schwa6970]

Im surprised I havent seen anyone mention Bluelab. Ive had Milwaukee in the past and had trouble with drift.
The Bluelab double junction probes are a little more expensive but seem to hold their settings very well. Ill be using a Bluelab ph controller when I set up my Calcium reactor. While the are geared towards the plant growing crowd they work very well for reefkeeping

 

[hsosa]

Try a Milwaukee when you get a chance or barrow one from a friend and play with it. You’ll be amazed how well they work.

ive seen those used on calcium reactors and yes I definately going place this on my wishlist ! thanks

 

[LisaD1]

Which brand can work with neptune apex, that is reliable?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Which brand can work with neptune apex, that is reliable?

FWIW, any pH probe with the proper connector to connect to the device can work with any meter. BNC connectors are standard, but a few devices may not use them.

 

[elcapitan1993]

Seems there are a number of different Milwaukee pH probes out there - any suggested model numbers or sites to purchase from that are known to work with Neptune Apex?

I use the SE220 ph probe and it’s very fast and accurate

 

[elcapitan1993]

What’s wrong with the brs double junction probe besides the fact it’s more expensive?
I would have went Milwaukee since it’s probably the same thing just cheaper.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-double-junction-lab-grade-ph-probe.html

I have heard plenty of terrible things about the BRS probes that they are extremely inaccurate, hard to calibrate and won’t hold calibration

 

[elcapitan1993]

Which brand can work with neptune apex, that is reliable?

Any brand is compatible as long as it has a BNC connector

 

[Reefinmike]

I have heard plenty of terrible things about the BRS probes that they are extremely inaccurate, hard to calibrate and won’t hold calibration

I am not a fan of brs, mainly because of their actions and influence over the hobby the past 3 years. They send people chasing their tails over new gear and methods. The brs360 thing was sad and predictable.

that said, i’ve had good luck with their single junction probes. The two showing a normal pH curve are a year old and both calibrated 6 months ago with 7&10 solutions. The probe [spear] is my diy auto alk tester and it’s calibrated to 4.00&7.00 pH. It’s always read ~0.15 higher than the other probes due to the calibration range.

I’ll never buy another neptune pH probe. They’re junk. The KCL reference gel depletes quickly and they average 14 months before becoming inaccurate/ wont hold calibration.

 

[gbroadbridge]

very interesting on the how to here. I agree with you on what does that guy means. For me the how to is impractical for the hobbyist. Still a nice to know, if one does not have an alk. test kit. kept the link for myself.

I don't know that it's impractical. It's how I measured Alk until quite recently when I purchased an automated device that does the same thing - now I save myself 5 minutes a day :-)

And spend 20 mins once a month making DIY titration solution for the auto jigger rather than getting gouged for the OEM version. lol.

 

[elcapitan1993]

I don't know that it's impractical. It's how I measured Alk until quite recently when I purchased an automated device that does the same thing - now I save myself 5 minutes a day :)

And spend 20 mins once a month making DIY titration solution for the auto jigger rather than getting gouged for the OEM version. lol.

It’s so much cheaper making DIY reagent, the OEM is almost always 3X more for some reason, witch one are you using for your automatic titration? Witch brand ph probe?

 

[gbroadbridge]

It’s so much cheaper making DIY reagent, the OEM is almost always 3X more for some reason, witch one are you using for your automatic titration? Witch brand ph probe?

I'm using a reeffactory kh keeper and diluting Hanna 0.1N HCl down to 0.02N which is what it uses.

The pH probe supplied with the unit seems to be of reasonable quality, but when it needs replacing I'll use a Milwaukee SE220 which I use with other pH devices.

 

[elcapitan1993]

I'm using a reeffactory kh keeper and diluting Hanna 0.1N HCl down to 0.02N which is what it uses.

The pH probe supplied with the unit seems to be of reasonable quality, but when it needs replacing I'll use a Milwaukee SE220 which I use with other pH devices.

I almost got one of those but because of the war with Russia I couldn’t, I ended up getting the xepta, I still haven’t figured out exactly what strength acid it uses but I believe it’s close to what the reef factory kh keeper uses, the xepta that I got came with the Milwaukee se220 and it seems good so far, calibrated fast and seems to hold the calibration good so far

 

[eXact iDip®]

I’m looking to find a accurate and reliable ph probe that is NOT from Neptune, BRS or GHL but I can’t seem to find much about them online, when I search for it all that pops up is what the best ph meters are, but I’m specifically asking about a ph probe with the BNC connector on it

https://sensafe.com/exact-ph-multi-meter-kit/

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

https://sensafe.com/exact-ph-multi-meter-kit/

That device does not seem to answer his need.

 

[vahegan]

An electrode that I have been using for the past few years is sold by Cole Parmer. It is catalog number U-59001-70. It has an epoxy body, is sealed, and has a double junction. I’m not certain what type of reference electrode it contains, but I believe it to be Ag/AgCl. Its list price is $60.

Yes, the description on that page says "Ag/AgCl combination reference electrode". But the list price has gone almost double of what you referred to...
I have one of those "industrial" pH probes that come in a larger body (supposedly meaning there is more electrolyte there that will take longer to get contaminated/diluted), but I believe it is Taiwan-made. The brand is HaoShi and it seems to be highly valued on the Chinese market. I wonder if it would be good for continuous use in a CaRX reactor?

Another question is the probe orientation. In the description to an industrial pH probe in a similar body ColeParmer states that the orientation must be at least 5 degrees to the horizontal position. I wonder why this limitation? I was planning to install a Tee in the vertical pipe coming out from the pump, and put the probe in the threaded side entry - but that would place the probe horizontally. Of course, I can add angles in order to turn the Tee by 90 degrees, but it would make the whole setup larger and uglier, and will create extra hindrances to the water flow.

 

[Jrhunter0000]

Neptune DOUBLE JUNCTION!

 

[Biggie&Dinkles]

I'm using a reeffactory kh keeper and diluting Hanna 0.1N HCl down to 0.02N which is what it uses.

The pH probe supplied with the unit seems to be of reasonable quality, but when it needs replacing I'll use a Milwaukee SE220 which I use with other pH devices.

I'm also using a KH Keeper and preparing own 0.02 M HCl. I'm also looking right now to replace the pH probe with a Milwauke SE220 or equivalent lol.

Definitely the cost effective way to go. I get 0.2 M HCl from Australian Scientific, which is local to me in Newcastle. The 0.2M HCl is a volumetric standard used for titrations, so it is very precise concentration and comes with a certificate of analysis. Very cheap.