PH Meter Recommendations

hig789 · Jul 12, 2015

Can someone recommend a decent ph meter? I have been looking at the Hanna pen from marine depot and the Milwaukee PH6000 pen from BRS. the Milwaukee has horrible reviews but some of the are obvious user issues. Trying to stay under $50 if it's possible.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 12, 2015

I don't have a particular brand to recommend as they are many and they are constantly changing model #'s.

Be sure it has at least two point calibration. At $50 or less, you won't get many other features (and don't really need them), but here's a discussion of other issues as well as how to use it:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2004/chem.htm

hig789 · Jul 12, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I don't have a particular brand to recommend as they are many and they are constantly changing model #'s.

Be sure it has at least two point calibration. At $50 or less, you won't get many other features (and don't really need them), but here's a discussion of other issues as well as how to use it:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2004/chem.htm

Thanks for the link Randy. Mine is old and I bought it used so I'm not real confident in its readings. Seems to jump around and never settle on a number even in the calibration fluid.

A member on another forum hooked me up with this one.

http://www.coleparmer.com/Category/Oakton_Waterproof_pHTestr_20_Pocket_Tester/60300

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 12, 2015

That one looks like a very good choice!

PedroYoung · Jul 12, 2015

As a guy who makes a living selling pH analyzers I'll just say "keep the bulb wet". pH sensitive glass loses sensitivity quickly when it dries out, and I have seen some instruction manuals on these portables that don't explain what to do with the meter when you aren't using it.

hig789 · Jul 12, 2015

PedroYoung said:
As a guy who makes a living selling pH analyzers I'll just say "keep the bulb wet". pH sensitive glass loses sensitivity quickly when it dries out, and I have seen some instruction manuals on these portables that don't explain what to do with the meter when you aren't using it.

Yeah the one I have right now has a piece of sponge in the cap and it was hard as rock and dried out. It said not to use water to keep it wet. What is recommended?

PedroYoung · Jul 12, 2015

You could use some pH buffer/calibration solution. 7 if you have it

PedroYoung · Jul 12, 2015

Actually 4 buffer is best, but not as common in saltwater hobby since pH range is alkaline so most calibrations are done with 7&10 buffers

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 12, 2015

PedroYoung said:
As a guy who makes a living selling pH analyzers I'll just say "keep the bulb wet". pH sensitive glass loses sensitivity quickly when it dries out, and I have seen some instruction manuals on these portables that don't explain what to do with the meter when you aren't using it.

My recommendation is for folks to either keep it in a commercial solution designed for that, or diluted salt water (say, half of normal seawater salinity).