aquabuys
04-25-2007, 5:55 PM
I have had a few people call in with problems with calibration of the pH probes on the ReefKeeper2 units. Here is a quick rundown of some things to check with your probe and the RK2 to make sure the calibration goes smoothly.
The pH Probe
When your pH probe is first unpacked you will notice that it has a rubber boot that covers the end of the probe. The boot is used to protect the probe and to keep the protective gel on the tip. The gel is used during packing to keep the probe tip "moist". Some of this gel may also be around the boot on the outside and appear like a crust. This is normal.
Before calibration you should soak the probe in RO water for about 2-4 hours (overnight is even better). This will re-moisten the probe, clean off any remaining gel and help insure a good calibration.
RK2 pH Calibration
I have played with the RK2 many times but have not used the pH function until today (I have a separate pH monitor). Since several of you that have purchased the RK2 were having some issues with calibration I hooked one up today and went through the calibration procedure.
Connect the probe to the RK2 and power on the unit.
Go to the pH setup menu (see the RK2 manual for details).
Select the low value (7.0) and place the probe in the 7.0 solution.
Wait until the value is stable. Note the value shown will not be a pH value but a relative value like 0964. This is a voltage value apparently.
When the value reads steady for 15-20 seconds press select.
Select the high value (10.0). Rinse the probe in some RO water and blot with a paper towel. Place the probe in the 10.0 solution.
Wait until the value is stable. The value should go to a higher number. Note the value shown will not be a pH value but a relative value like 1633.
When the value reads steady for 15-20 seconds press select and then exit the calibration menu.
The thing that confused me is the value that is shown during calibration is not pH but rather some sort of relative value (voltage?) that is stored in the RK2 memory. :confused2: During the 7.0 part of the calibration the RK2 was showing a value in the 0900's. It finally stablilized at 0964 after about a minute or so and stayed there. The 10.0 part of the calibration showed a value jump to the 1500's and then finally stabilized at 1633.
After I finished all of this I went back to the regular menu on the RK2 and put the probe back in the 10.0 solution and the pH was 10.0! :yay: I then wiped it off and put in the 7.0 solution and the pH on the RK2 was 7.01. :thumbs:
I know have it on my reef and the pH is 8.09.
If you still are having problems with your pH calibration after trying this please feel free to call and we can go through the process. :)
The pH Probe
When your pH probe is first unpacked you will notice that it has a rubber boot that covers the end of the probe. The boot is used to protect the probe and to keep the protective gel on the tip. The gel is used during packing to keep the probe tip "moist". Some of this gel may also be around the boot on the outside and appear like a crust. This is normal.
Before calibration you should soak the probe in RO water for about 2-4 hours (overnight is even better). This will re-moisten the probe, clean off any remaining gel and help insure a good calibration.
RK2 pH Calibration
I have played with the RK2 many times but have not used the pH function until today (I have a separate pH monitor). Since several of you that have purchased the RK2 were having some issues with calibration I hooked one up today and went through the calibration procedure.
Connect the probe to the RK2 and power on the unit.
Go to the pH setup menu (see the RK2 manual for details).
Select the low value (7.0) and place the probe in the 7.0 solution.
Wait until the value is stable. Note the value shown will not be a pH value but a relative value like 0964. This is a voltage value apparently.
When the value reads steady for 15-20 seconds press select.
Select the high value (10.0). Rinse the probe in some RO water and blot with a paper towel. Place the probe in the 10.0 solution.
Wait until the value is stable. The value should go to a higher number. Note the value shown will not be a pH value but a relative value like 1633.
When the value reads steady for 15-20 seconds press select and then exit the calibration menu.
The thing that confused me is the value that is shown during calibration is not pH but rather some sort of relative value (voltage?) that is stored in the RK2 memory. :confused2: During the 7.0 part of the calibration the RK2 was showing a value in the 0900's. It finally stablilized at 0964 after about a minute or so and stayed there. The 10.0 part of the calibration showed a value jump to the 1500's and then finally stabilized at 1633.
After I finished all of this I went back to the regular menu on the RK2 and put the probe back in the 10.0 solution and the pH was 10.0! :yay: I then wiped it off and put in the 7.0 solution and the pH on the RK2 was 7.01. :thumbs:
I know have it on my reef and the pH is 8.09.
If you still are having problems with your pH calibration after trying this please feel free to call and we can go through the process. :)