Water monitoring probes?

[kpdiver]

Does anyone use the electronic probes to monitor the water quality? It's kind of a pain to constantly check for PH, Nitrates, Phosphates, calcium etc. with the typical test kits. If anyone has some suggestions of types that are reliable, it would be appreciated. Hopefully there is something out there that won't break the bank. Although, it seems that this hobby was meant to break the bank. But man is it fun!

 

[pyro]

I'm curious as well. I don't plan on spending the cash; but seems to be one of those things that slowly slip outta accuracy without you knowing. Any first hand information?

 

[murph145]

there are different things out there but heres my point of view....
i have all my test kits but i only check my main water paramters being Ni, Na, and Am once every 3-4 weeks when i do a water change... i have a large tank 180g's with lots of Lr and LS so i dont really see anything pop up so i dont bother testing
i check Ca, Mg and Alk about once a week or less.... i run a Ca reactor so i dont worry so much
when u have a stable tank u dont reall relly on the test that much anymore u just know if everything looks good and uve been doing your maintenance that all the paramters should be fine....
i think the probes are fine but in all reality a lil pricey.... about $100 for a single Ph probe which i use for my Ca reactor.....
i think lots of reefers test too much lol especially as soon as they see a lil amonia or nitrates.... i say good maintenance means less testing u just get confident in your tank as it gets older

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by murph145
i say good maintenance means less testing u just get confident in your tank as it gets older
I totally agree Murph. The only things I test for anymore are calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity (and salinity). If you have good maintenance habits, and stick to them, you should not have problems with your tank.

 

[murph145]

those calcium probes are expensive and ive read bad reviews on pretty much every one thats bought one how they are very innacurate and the probes are made bad

 

[lion_crazz]

And I was going to add the same thing about the pH and salinity ones. They are around $100 and they are not all that great. I still think a refractometer is much more accurate than the probe, and a refractometer is $50 less.
Plus, they do not make probes to test for nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia.

 

[murph145]

yeah i didnt think they made ones for those others either....
id say most people stick with the test kits and just test like once a week in the beggining and keep on your routiine and your tank will keep stable....
i only have the PH one to help me adjust my Ca reactor and it only measures the Ph from my first chamber to the second so i dont even know what the Ph in my main tank is i havent measured that since i started the tank almost 4 months ago

 

[kpdiver]

Thanks guys. Very helpful in making my decision. What is a refractometer though?

 

[symon]

I have a reefkeeper 2 , it only monitors temp and PH, I would only use the Probe for a general reading, you still have to test for accuracy!

 

[moneyman]

Originally Posted by kpdiver
Does anyone use the electronic probes to monitor the water quality? It's kind of a pain to constantly check for PH, Nitrates, Phosphates, calcium etc. with the typical test kits. If anyone has some suggestions of types that are reliable, it would be appreciated. Hopefully there is something out there that won't break the bank. Although, it seems that this hobby was meant to break the bank. But man is it fun!

I have the AquaController Jr with the temperature probe. I also have a pH pen. Both of my item are very accurate. People say to recalibrate your pH pen once a year. If you happen to buy a pH probe, you might have to replace it yearly.