Salinity Probe Readings

PSU4ME · Apr 27, 2020

Hi All!
My apex is reading a conductivity of 37.3. My calibrated (brs solution and pinpoint solution) refractometer shows the tank at 1.024 and I just recalibrated the probe with the pinpoint solution.

what am I missing here? Why is it reading so high? Unit was new from brs and only in operation for 2.5 months.

vetteguy53081 · Apr 27, 2020

PSU4ME said:
Hi All!
My apex is reading a conductivity of 37.3. My calibrated (brs solution and pinpoint solution) refractometer shows the tank at 1.024 and I just recalibrated the probe with the pinpoint solution.

what am I missing here? Why is it reading so high? Unit was new from brs and only in operation for 2.5 months.

Has been an issue with Apex Probes. Try agitate probe to release air bubbles and mount probe at a slight angle to allow air bubbles to escape which has worked for many

PSU4ME · Apr 27, 2020

I’ll give that a shot again, I’ll lay it flat on the probe holder.

wish these things were more reliable. Is there a better probe out there or is this par for the course?

AdamNC · Apr 27, 2020

Manual dry calibration seemed to work best for me. Mine is quite accurate until bubbles get up in it, but that is my fault on where it’s placed in my sump. If I notice the level drifting, I just shake it a bit to dislodge the bubbles and in a min or two it’s back to normal. I really need to move it but it’s in the only spot where other power wires are not routed. Speaking of, route the BNC cable at least 6” away from all power cables to keep the electro magnetic field away from it.

ca1ore · Apr 27, 2020

Are you using the temp compensation feature?

PSU4ME · Apr 28, 2020

ca1ore said:
Are you using the temp compensation feature?

I’d that a setting in apex I need to adjust?

PSU4ME · Apr 28, 2020

Is this a problem!?!?

Miller535 · Apr 28, 2020

Yes, you should set that to the 2.2 recommended. But if memory serves me, it tells you to recalibrate the probe after.

And as others mentioned, it's important to start the calibration process DRY. And I tilt mine slightly as @vetteguy53081 said. Tiled away from the flow of current in the sump

ca1ore · Apr 28, 2020

FWIW, I run mine without temperature compensation. If you enter 2.2, the salinity will be more accurate based on changing temperatures, but it doesn't make all that much difference frankly. If you do change from 0.0 to 2.2 you have to recalibrate the probe …. which can be a pain.

PSU4ME · Apr 28, 2020

Thanks all, I’ll take this step and see where I get to.

appreciate it!

kevin_e · Apr 28, 2020

IDK why so many people have issues with these. Bad batches? Improper calibration? Mine stays consistent with minor undulations from evaporation/ATO spikes and valleys. Matches my refractometer consistently. No drifting.

PSU4ME · Apr 28, 2020

Did the calibration now it reads 49 ppm..... fn garbage

Miller535 · Apr 29, 2020

PSU4ME said:
Did the calibration now it reads 49 ppm..... fn garbage

I would contact neptune systems. Hopefully they can help you figure it out, possibly you have a bad probe even.

Amado · Apr 29, 2020

the Apex salinity probe has always had problems. Save yourself time and aggravation Just throw the probe away. i purchased my apex 2 yrs ago. I had problems with the probe from day one.
Neptune’s help desk had me re-run the probe wire. But that didn’t work. I was never able to configure it. I tore down my tank and moved. At the new house I setup the apex with a fresh restart. I purchased a brand new salinity probe and i was able to calibrate it. Two weeks later it lost its calibration. So I am back to using my Hanna checker and $30 Amazon refractor meter. Or you can disable it to free up some screen space.

kevin_e · Apr 29, 2020

PSU4ME said:
Did the calibration now it reads 49 ppm..... fn garbage

Open a ticket with Neptune. Like I said, mine has always read accurately and consistently.

PSU4ME · Apr 29, 2020

I may open a ticket or write in their forum. My salinity is 51.4 right now lol.

It was working for like the first month then in jumped like 8ppm and hasn’t been the same since

Miller535 · Apr 29, 2020

kevin_e said:
Open a ticket with Neptune. Like I said, mine has always read accurately and consistently.

Mine too, for over a year now. Almost dead on with my refractometer.

MK300 · Apr 30, 2020

PSU4ME said:
Hi All!
My apex is reading a conductivity of 37.3. My calibrated (brs solution and pinpoint solution) refractometer shows the tank at 1.024 and I just recalibrated the probe with the pinpoint solution.

what am I missing here? Why is it reading so high? Unit was new from brs and only in operation for 2.5 months.

MK300 · Apr 30, 2020

I have just went through the exact same issue. Air bubbles turned out to be the culprit. Not necessarily just in the sump, but in the solution packet as well. I think getting the bubbles out while in the calibration solution is the key. This seemed to work for me! Good luck!