I want to pick up a refractometer, and a pinpoint pH "pen" meter.
Just wondering what you could get me a set for. I need an excuse to drive all the way up there again!

Thanks a million-

I have a Blueline Refractometer and a digital ph pen for $75 for the set. Both are brand new. :yes: - your 20% ARC discount.

I'll PM you when I know when I can make it up... might be able to come Thursday.
Thanks Chris!

Chris thanks for bringing those to the meeting... those were the new ones, right? The reason I ask is I'm having ph meter issues and it MIGHT be me, not the meter.

I can stand at a tank (tried on two, the second was to compare to the RK Jr. readings), and take a reading... say, 7.9. Move the meter over three inches, repeat... 6.9 or so. Repeated this six times, and while the RK said 7.94, I got readings from 6.9 to 8.2. I went over just to check the calibration, and ran into this.

Any advice on what I can check?

The refractometer has never been used and the ph meter was used by me once to double check my other ph meter when the ph went to 9 in the 300. Are you getting consistent readings of those areas?

No, I can take a reading and then repeat in the same spot (or virtually the same spot) and it changes. I've been doing it with pumps in the tank running, but no water had been dosed/added/monkeyed with anytime lately. Should I remove a water sample to test, or is it OK that the flow is happening? Everybody I've seen test just probes the water without collecting in a cup or anything like that, but if this isn't the right method then obviously I need to start there before I start worrying about the meter.

I did get "all over the map" numbers on my RO water as well.

Sounds like an issue with the meter to me. You should be able to place in your tank and get proper reading. Take out a cup of water and test several times and see if you get consistent readings.

Chris,
Thanks. Robb came by and picked it up since he's headed your way. He said you guys would play with it and see. We tried it in a cup and it was more consistent, but if my pH were really 6.1 I'd have issues, no?
:)

Strangely enough the meter gave 100% accurate and consistent readings when I checked with Chris2.
I swear it didn't when we tried Barrys tank.

I will be trying this here at home now - too funky!

BTW:
Great trip to FishScales today again - and quite productive, got my lighting for the 225g!

Sweet what did you get Rob? The 400s:thumbs:

I am not sure what is up with the ph meter, do you have a grounding probe on your system Barry, I am grasping at straws but I just do not like knowing the solution for you.

Hi Chris,

I went with that 72" semi retrofit, with PCs and some LEDs.
Will come next weekend without the baby to fit it in my car - left some money for you to hold it.

Back to the pH meter mystery;
it must be related to T5 ballasts - read 100% correct in the shop and 100% incorrect in Barrys tank AND mine.
Once I switched the T5s off the reading was on spot with my Pinpoint controller.

Hmmm.... I'll check it after lights out once I get it back. And that might explain why it read 8.2 reliably in my quarantine tank. Vedddy Interrrresting.