Neptute Conroler Owners

[MikeNapoli]

How often to you calibrate your neptune controlers? Ph and Temp.

 

[RichT]

After my recent experience with a quickly out of calibration PH probe resulting in a 5 gallon bucket of dead SPS, I'd suggest at least once a month. I'd also suggest a using a separate monitor as constant backup check. Both started out with the same readings but they're starting to drift by a couple hundreds and it's been about a month since calibrations. When they get close to a full point difference, I planed on recalibrating at that time.

HTH

 

[sinkingbeach]

I check my temp probe weekly while doing water change only because the mercury thermometer is right in front of me, and since speaking to Rich about his issues I just started checking my ph probe every other week before that it was install it and forget it :-X

 

[MikeNapoli]

Well then I am well well well behind. Thanks guys.

I'll go check that right now.

 

[pgordemer]

After my recent experience with a quickly out of calibration PH probe resulting in a 5 gallon bucket of dead SPS, I'd suggest at least once a month. I'd also suggest a using a separate monitor as constant backup check. Both started out with the same readings but they're starting to drift by a couple hundreds and it's been about a month since calibrations. When they get close to a full point difference, I planed on recalibrating at that time.

HTH

Just as an side here to be fair to Aquacontroller hardware (and speaking from having and in house lab with guys that play with PH all day)..... PH probes that are sold to the Aquarium community generally are low end single joined sealed units. They tend not to last very long as the internal chemical comparison liquid starts to fade out. At times you can get 18 months out of a probe, at times less than 9 months. Either way the reaction time of the probe gets slower and slower, no matter what the brand.

So, not matter what type you have, you should make it a habit to recalibrate monthly. Make sure you give the controller time to stabilize, don't just hit the slect button when you don't see numbers moving anymore. Give it at least 5 minutes per test type. (Prop up the sample bag and walk away.)

I have alway knows about single and double jointed units, but until just recently, I didn't know you could buy them as refillable units. Those have the potential to be great as the probe reaction time slows down, you just just empty and refill the internal conectivity fluid. And the higher cost of the probe would be made up in less replacements.

 

[PMolan]

If I could make my own calibration fluids, I would check it monthly. All of the fluids I buy seem to expire 6 months from the time I bought it. Also, If I knew a given substance was 7.0, I would at least stick the probe in it once in a while to see what it reads.

 

[pgordemer]

If I could make my own calibration fluids, I would check it monthly. All of the fluids I buy seem to expire 6 months from the time I bought it. Also, If I knew a given substance was 7.0, I would at least stick the probe in it once in a while to see what it reads.

The sealed individual packets have a pretty good shelf life. Its a waste to by the bottles of the products because as soon as you open them and expose them to air, they deteriorate quickly and a short shelf life since they are exposed to sunlight. The individual packets are sealed in foil. And a 99 cents a packet, its not like its expensive to do it every month.

 

[MikeNapoli]

Went out an picked up some packets this afternoon at A.O. and I just calibrated. I was off by .2!! What I thought was a decent 8.15 was really a low 7.95. I know it's not crazy low but I just add buffer and raised it to 8.08 and tomorrow i'll see if I can raise it another .1 to hopefully maintain an 8.2.

I should have been on top of my game. :-\