Are all pH probes the same?

[curtismaximus]

I am looking at getting a new pH probe and see they range from about $8 to $60. Is there a difference? I understand build quality has a little to do with it but some of the "Lab Grade" ones seem eay over priced to me.

Please don't just say, "you get what you pay for." Thats a waste of both of our time.

 

[xyzpdq0121]

There is a difference between TRUE lab grade and not. However many knockoffs will say lab grade when they are not. So you get what you pay for. I guarantee a "lab" grade probe you buy from china for $8 is nog lab grade. But normally lab grade for reef tanks is overkill.

 

[curtismaximus]

So anywhere in the $20 to $40 range should be adequate for a reef tank?

 

[rjrgroup]

Why is a reef tank different? I think maintaining ph in our reef tanks is a LOT more important than most other applications. A quality ph probe is imperative, otherwise buy a cheap probe to go along with some API test kits...:tongue:

 

[dawgface]

Only two reason to go lab grade, they are said to last longer although I've never heard any specifics from anyone on this. Second, they are made to a higher pressure standard. This is mainly meant for high inline applications.

Save your money and buy a quality probe, no need for lab grade.

 

[reefkeeper]

DawgFace;937375 wrote: Only two reason to go lab grade, they are said to last longer although I've never heard any specifics from anyone on this. Second, they are made to a higher pressure standard. This is mainly meant for high inline applications.

Save your money and buy a quality probe, no need for lab grade.

+1 However I've used both and the extra length of time doesn't justify the cost. I typically buy two cheaper non-lab grade probes for just about the same cost of a lab grade probe and I get a about a year plus out of ea. of them.

 

[xyzpdq0121]

Exactly right.

I have used both. I dont know that lab grade in fact lasts longer because I didnt notice a difference.

Just because something is "better" does not mean it is the BEST choice for every application. In your tank if a probe drifts 0.02 in ph it is no big deal. In some lab settings it is a huge difference. On top of that, if you think your digital aquadics reefkeeper is able to read perfect ph and down to the thousandth, then you do not know digital aquadic's quality.

So if you want to use a lab grade... more power to ya. I'll stick to my normal probes and API test kits.

 

[curtismaximus]

Can you guys list the probes you buy or maybe a price range you look for?

 

[reefkeeper]

I would tend to agree with Xyzpdq0121. If you read all the crap on the web, they all note that lab grade probes are a bit more accurate and don't drift as much. However, when I purchased my Apex many moons ago, I purchased and used lab grade probes for years and after I switched to save on cost, I never seen much difference.

 

[acroholic]

Curtismaximus;937388 wrote: Can you guys list the probes you buy or maybe a price range you look for?

I would feel comfortable buying and using any of the following standard probes:
1. Digital Aquatics pH probe.
2. Neptune Standard probe. Neptune makes a more expensive lab grade pH probe, but I don't feel it is necessary.
3. American Marine pH probe.
4. Milwaukee Instruments pH probe.
5. Bulk Reef Supply pH probe.

All are in the $40-$55 range, and over the years I have used all of the above successfully, either in a FW aquarium setup or a reef aquarium.

I just purchased 4 of the BRS probes to replace the two each I have in my two reef systems. I was at SEA today and just bought a Neptune standard probe for my Discus setup. They are all Ag/Cl type probes. It wouldn't surprise me if most of them were made by the same company with different labels on them. They all have BNC connectors, which is pretty standard in reef controllers as well.

Personally, I would not cheap out on an unknown brand from ebay, but I don't feel I need anything that is lab grade either.

 

[minisplit]

How often do you calibrate yours?

 

[acroholic]

minisplit;937426 wrote: How often do you calibrate yours?

Every 4-6 months.

 

[ringo®]

I've rolled the dice on cheap ebay probes twice. They were total crap both times.

 

[curtismaximus]

Ringo®;937438 wrote: I've rolled the dice on cheap ebay probes twice. They were total crap both times.

Can you elaborate a little? Did they work at all? Were they just cheaply made? I'm not going to buy one, i am just curious how they compare.

 

[xyzpdq0121]

Lets see.. I know I have used Milwaukee and BRS probes. (Sure I have used others) The BRS is in there now and has shifed a bit after 18 mlnths but stll going strong. I just recalibrated it yesterday. I would bet MOST probes are made in the same place with different stickers slapped on them. Much like sunglasses... your ray bans are made in the same place as his el cheapos... there are only 2 or 3 places that make 95% of the glasses.

 

[curtismaximus]

Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[ringo®]

Curtismaximus;937445 wrote: Can you elaborate a little? Did they work at all? Were they just cheaply made? I'm not going to buy one, i am just curious how they compare.

They worked for a week or two...wouldn't stay calibrated after that. I'm talking about the 15$ blue probes on ebay.

 

[curtismaximus]

Yeah that's what I figured. Glad I didn't waste my money on one.

 

[reefkeeper]

Ringo®;937526 wrote: They worked for a week or two...wouldn't stay calibrated after that. I'm talking about the 15$ blue probes on ebay.

The Chinese Ebay probes are garbage. They use to work great until everyone in china starting selling them on ebay, The cost has gone down over the years and so has the quality. In fact they now ship with a short BNC cord so they can save money. Don't waste your time and effort with the ones coming from china, you'll be wasting your money.

 

[ringo®]

^^^^ I should have mentioned it was really tough finding any with more than a 2 ft cord.