Apex Salinity Probe has gone Haywire!

[T-J]

Do these probes have a certain life expectancy? Mine isn't a year old, and last night it decided to go from reading its normal 35 down to 20. Verified that the tank is actually at 35 with my Hannah, which was calibrated last week. I've recalibrated the probe this morning and then it shot up to over 60, and now it's reading over 40. I've shook the probe to verify that their aren't any bubbles present.
Maybe I need to get that new SPS attachment? I just don't want another pump in the sump....

 

[landlubber]

i don't know about lifespan but i do remember being recommended to skip on the salinity monitor due to them being inaccurate and finicky at times. this was quite a while back now though.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

A conductivity probe can last forever. I have one from Orion that I obtained used and it lasted the whole time I had it (almost 20 years), even with a crack in it.

That said, i do not recommend leaving them in the water 24/7 because they will get coated with "stuff".

 

[MichaelReefer]

Mine goes haywire all day, I dont even pay attention to it. I have flipped it, and flicked it. Doesnt appear to be air bubbles. *Shrug*

 

[T-J]

Mine goes haywire all day, I dont even pay attention to it.

I feel your pain. Looks like I may have to bite the bullet and get that SPS kit. Everyone that uses it shows a solid line after installation.

 

[Jeff Hall]

Mine never worked. Calibrated it and it read 45ppt. Recalibrated and it read 10ppt. And then gave up.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Mine never worked. Calibrated it and it read 45ppt. Recalibrated and it read 10ppt. And then gave up.

Yup, I have recalibrated mine twice and gave up as well.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

My Hanna salinity checker has been not working properly, after cleaning and changing batteries, I still had to recalibrate after 1 day...might be time to get something newer and better. I've only had it for a year.

 

[T-J]

My Hanna salinity checker has been not working properly, after cleaning and changing batteries, I still had to recalibrate after 1 day...might be time to get something newer and better. I've only had it for a year.

My Hanna is spot on. Never had an issue with it. Calibrate it monthly. Matches my refractometer that I calibrate monthly as well. My Apex probe is the only one that's never correct.

 

[MichaelReefer]

My Hanna is spot on. Never had an issue with it. Calibrate it monthly. Matches my refractometer that I calibrate monthly as well. My Apex probe is the only one that's never correct.

Same, I go off my Hanna, not mine Apex lol.

 

[landlubber]

all of what i have read here pretty much echos the responses i got when i asked about adding a salinity probe back in 2017. whether its user error or the probe itself i'd much rather hear 10 good responses to 1 poor one to even consider it.

 

[MichaelReefer]

all of what i have read here pretty much echos the responses i got when i asked about adding a salinity probe back in 2017. whether its user error or the probe itself i'd much rather hear 10 good responses to 1 poor one to even consider it.

Dont get me wrong, I still LOVE my apex. But the Salinity probe is garbage. Hahaha.

 

[fryman]

Do these probes have a certain life expectancy? Mine isn't a year old, and last night it decided to go from reading its normal 35 down to 20. Verified that the tank is actually at 35 with my Hannah, which was calibrated last week. I've recalibrated the probe this morning and then it shot up to over 60, and now it's reading over 40. I've shook the probe to verify that their aren't any bubbles present.
Maybe I need to get that new SPS attachment? I just don't want another pump in the sump....

Happened to me too, move it somewhere else away from your other probes/equipment.

The apex salinity probe is very sensitive to interference. You can't place it too close to other probes or pumps.

 

[T-J]

Happened to me too, move it somewhere else away from your other probes/equipment.

The apex salinity probe is very sensitive to interference. You can't place it too close to other probes or pumps.

I already have it segregated. It’s not in the probe rack with the others. It hasn’t moved in over 6 months and then it just started acting crazy.

 

[andyg1960]

I just went through this with my salinity probe, which is about 4 years old. It’s always been rock solid, never had the fluctuation issues others report, which I suspect are from interference. Make sure you are on the latest firmware, 1 recent update addressed some aspect of the salinity probe, and triple check the connection to the base unit. Mine has loosened up, and that started the problem.

 

[Bruce60]

I had the same issue with my salinity probe back a few months ago. It suddenly spiked, setting off alarms only to return to normal. I disconnected it, cleaned it off in RO/DI water and gentle brushing, recalibrated it and it started working again.
Personally I don't use the Hannah salinity, although I do use several of their other products. I use a refractometer and I have a calibration solution for it. I monthly check the probe reading with the refractometer and if off I recalibrate.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, I've never understood why aquarium controllers have such issues with salinity and also apparently pH, seemingly much more so than independent devices.

 

[MichaelReefer]

FWIW, I've never understood why aquarium controllers have such issues with salinity and also apparently pH, seemingly much more so than independent devices.

My PH seems to be pretty accurate actually. But like I said, Salinity I dont trust at all.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My PH seems to be pretty accurate actually. But like I said, Salinity I dont trust at all.

I've sometimes wondered if having multiple probe types on the same controller can lead to ground loop issues for pH and anything else that requires a reference electrode.

pH Readings off the Mark? | Murphy & Dickey, Inc.

Symptoms Include: The analyzer reading is offset from the process reading by a consistent amount. The analyzer reading is frozen on one value....

murphyanddickey.com

 

[Stain]

I went with the EL because I didn't want to bother with the wonky probe I always read about, I have no need for orp, and I don't want the apex controlling my lights. I use a refracto for my salinity. My ph probe has been consistent, I have no idea on the accuracy as that doesn't really matter to me. I have noticed that the readings 'stick' for a few hours though.