Apex controller salinity reading

[jose hernandez]

Ok so I finally got my new set up running installed my new apex controller calibrated all the probes but as far as the salinity probe reading I do not understand it how do I tell what’s the salinity reading it’s at 29.6 I’m used to the hydrometer but Gabe itvaway when I got my apex

 

[Jeepguy242]

https://goo.gl/images/BxMvXE

 

[Jeepguy242]

35 is 1.026

29 is too low. 1.021

 

[jose hernandez]

Ok thnks

 

[jose hernandez]

Still adding salt just didn’t know what my levels where but now I know thnks 4 da input

 

[Wiskey]

I would not trust this thing as your only salt measurement. I've tried everything with mine and I just cannot get it to read consistently. When my return pump shuts off the level tanks by almost half, and when my T5 bulbs turn on and off the level changes by 0.04 ppt. I posted about this and it seems like I'm not the only one with the issue.

Whiskey

 

[jose hernandez]

ive had the classic but never with the salinity probe or orp probe always heard bad things about it but being that the new apex comes with all id be a fool not to use them some people say dont place it near a flow area and place at the end of your probe holder away form the temp probe i guess ill c wat happens i can always get a hydrometer always worked 4 me lol

 

[jose hernandez]

your right about it not being acciuarate just chked my salinity and it actually dropped from last night to 27.6 but i chkd it with a hydrometer and its at the very top now what

 

[jose hernandez]

its less than 24 hours do i need to recalibrate it

 

[Rick Krejci]

As others said, so NOT use the conductivity probe as an absolute measure of salinity. It's good to see changes in salinity that indicate issues, like ATO not working, ATO stuck on, skimmer overflow.

Theoretically, if you temperature match the calibration solution to the tank water and make sure all bubbles are off the probe and do a manual calibration, it should be close to on. I preferred to use a calibrated refractometer to get the tank to 35ppt and then calibrate the probe to the tank water itself. Resulted in more consistent readings.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Conductivity is a great method that Apex seems to implement badly.

 

[lbacha]

I had a lot of issue with my probe when I first stared. What I learned is make sure no microbubbles can get into the probe. Now it stays pretty close to the actual salinity in my tank. I do check with my refractometer once a week (calibrated with brightgwell calibration solution).

 

[PEP12]

Conductivity is a great method that Apex seems to implement badly.

totally agree

 

[jsker]

I found after calibrating my probes last week, is to take you time and let the probes settle for a one or two minutes.

Make sure your conductivity probe is good and dry and very lightly tap the probe against the side of what you are testing in. Also make sure the solution is the same temp and the water and the probe is near the temp probe. The BRS video is a great video, but remember to take more time then what BRS is showing.

 

[lbacha]

I found after calibrating my probes last week, is to take you time and let the probes settle for a one or two minutes.

Make sure your conductivity probe is good and dry and very lightly tap the probe against the side of what you are testing in. Also make sure the solution is the same temp and the water and the probe is near the temp probe. The BRS video is a great video, but remember to take more time then what BRS is showing.

I float the pouch in my sump before calibrating and don't shake it up you don't want bubbles in it at all

 

[jose hernandez]

i floated all of my calibration solutions in my sum for a couple of hours gonna get my salinity uo then recalibrate now i need to buy calibration solution again

 

[jose hernandez]

probes r in the return section

 

[lbacha]

probes r in the return section

I found the return section was bad for me as I got bubbles from my ato in my return section (the salinity changed the most there as well for the same reason so I'd get spikes up and down). I moved it to the side of my display fuge and it's worked much better there as there are no bubbles and lower flow

 

[jose hernandez]

I found the return section was bad for me as I got bubbles from my ato in my return section (the salinity changed the most there as well for the same reason so I'd get spikes up and down). I moved it to the side of my display fuge and it's worked much better there as there are no bubbles and lower flow

 

[jose hernandez]

Synergy Reef built it that way i just started my new set up I do not have my ato on yet I’m gonna get my salinity up then recalibrate n take it from there