Apex Salinity Module Worth It?

[-Logzor]

Hi Everyone, I run the Apex Classic and was considering the addition of the salinity module. I dose a lot of two part solution so naturally my salinity creeps up overtime. I don't test often enough with my conductivity probe so in certain instances my salinity creeps up too much. This negatively impacts my SPS and takes awhile to correct it without further stressing my corals. I figure having the salinity module will help me keep track of and mitigate swings in my salinity.

However it could be too much hassle, not work right anyways, and sticking with testing with my probe is a better option. Thoughts? Worth it or not?

 

[Winschuc]

To be honest, it really didn't save much time when I installed it on my tank.

At first it was kind of a pain to get it to calibrate/read at the proper level. After a while, I got a ballpark idea of where my SG sat in relation to the probe reading and only use it from time to time to get an idea of what's going on. Maybe others have had different experiences, but for me, it's easier/faster to throw a few drops of water on the refractometer.

 

[morpheas]

It's nice to have but calibrating is a pain as stated. The fact that salinity is highly dependable on temperature also is not helping. Finally it needs calibration much more often than the other probes.

At the end it's a nice thing to have (i do still have it and keep an eye on it) but a Milwaukee refractometer is as easy and cheaper.

 

[billaras]

no. not for apex but for all the trouble that probs make... calibration,cleaning,price. way too expensive. used also elos.

 

[dgrigor02]

This was one of the things that comes with the new apex that I was excited about. I gave up on trying to calibrate with the packets after calibration would always read 32ppt instead of 35ppt. I trust my milwaukee electronic refractometer so I just got my tank water to where it read 1.026 on the Milwaukee then just calibrated in my tank to get both to match. Ultimately though if the new apex was offered without the salinity probe, I'd rather save the $, I don't find it trustworthy or useful enough. Testing with Milwaukee once a week is more than sufficient for my needs. No plans for attempting to automate any water changes etc. that would depend on it.

 

[jaws789832]

I have it and love it. Mine stays steady and rarely wanders. I calibrate it about once every other month but have yet to see it wrong. I check the salinity of the water every time I do a water change with my milwalki but in between the probe gives me the extra security of ato failure and allows me to see the salinity 24/7. Not sure what the above poster meant by only use it from time to time as mine just stays in the water in the sump and gives a constant reading

 

[ss95003]

I could see it being needed if you have an auto water change system. But if you don't have that why do you need to keep checking salinity? salt isn't going anywhere. Once a week or twice a month at water changes is fine. it takes like 2 seconds with a refractometer.

I guess it could mater on how big your ATO is as well. never had a big enough ATO that it would matter. it would suck if dumped all at once but don't think it would nuke tank. I would know rather quickly when my skimmer was full of water.

 

[Wrasse]

I had the salinity module as part of the old Apex Gold kit. I tried to make it work, I really did. However at the end of the day there were simply too many factors that influenced the conductivity readings. I could measure the same water 10 times in a week and have vastly different readings all of which had nothing to do with the actual salinity.

Right now you couldn't pay me to use the Apex conductivity module and probe. Although I agree that it sounds tempting for me it was nothing but a waste of time.

Now if they get their act together and use light refraction instead of conductivity I'll absolutely change my tone.

 

[Salty1962]

It took me a couple of times to get mine to work. I have an extra temp probe hooked up to mine because I read that it was necessary to get more accurate readings. You have to make sure there are no bubbles in the tip of the probe or else it doesn't read correctly. After 2 weeks mine has settled in and reading with 3/10s compared to my digital refractor.
JME

 

[-Logzor]

Wow. Thanks all for the responses. My impression is that it can work but given all the variables in conductivity reading and necessity to frequently calibrate, it's not feasible. Unless it's so rock solid and consistent to never need a separate pinpoint meter or refractometer it's kind of a waste, right? Because at the end of the day when I'm in doubt of the readings I'm testing with one of those devices anyways.

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

I bought it, it wouldn't calibrate at all for me. Tried several times...finally gave up and returned it. Just using a refractometer is easier IMO

 

[jenkinscrew2578]

Right...it IS one of the few quick tests.

 

[jaws789832]

. I could measure the same water 10 times in a week and have vastly different readings all of which had nothing to do with the actual salinity.

I am not sure what you guys mean by this. Mine is a set it and forget it kind of thing, just like the temp probe. My readings run from 35 to 35.2 during the course of a day but I chalk that up to evaporation. I only use it to monitor my tank to make sure something drastic isn't happening and it will send me a warning, like there is a leak in the tank and the ato is pumping fresh water in or the ato gets stuck on or off (that's what its meant to be used for). I don't use it to test freshly made saltwater. I use my milwaulki for that. That's also when I double check the tank water to make sure everything is correct. Don't really need to do that but I always double check everything. Just like before I dose a different amount I double check whatever that is with 2 different test kits.

 

[Djbrandriff150]

I'm also interested in buying one. I have an older apex what modules do I need to run this

 

[Thales]

I love it. I do auto top off so it it great to see if something is out of whack over time.

 

[Thales]

I could measure the same water 10 times in a week and have vastly different readings all of which had nothing to do with the actual salinity.

I am not sure what this means. Are you using it on different bodies of water?

 

[Rick.45cal]

I just ignore mine. It's been calibrated, it never reads an accurate or consistent reading. Just get a digital refractometer, spend the difference on a frag of some coral you enjoy looking at, test your salinity with the digital refractometer, and enjoy looking at your new frag. Instead of... spending an hour an a half messing around with the APEX PM2 module trying to figure out why it can't tell what your tank salinity is in spite of being properly calibrated repeatedly.

Without a doubt it is 100% a great time waster.

 

[Wrasse]

I am not sure what this means. Are you using it on different bodies of water?

I was referring to the same body of water. The "salinity probe" is actually just measuring conductivity and is affected by a few things in your water(aside from salt). It will be affected by dissolved solids, nitrate, phosphate among others all which can change throughout a day. For this reason I feel it is not suitable for use as a way to monitor salinity.

 

[-Logzor]

Maybe Neptune needs to go back to the drawing board on this one. In concept I would love to have salinity monitoring on my Apex but not if it's this much trouble. I hope they are able to fix it and I'll be first in line to pick one up.

 

[Thales]

I was referring to the same body of water. The "salinity probe" is actually just measuring conductivity and is affected by a few things in your water(aside from salt). It will be affected by dissolved solids, nitrate, phosphate among others all which can change throughout a day. For this reason I feel it is not suitable for use as a way to monitor salinity.

I just use it for overall trending. Works fine for me for that purpose.