Best way to keep ph meter wet?

dmbnpj · 03/25/2007, 08:23 AM

I have a Hanna handheld ph tester. Since the electrode is not supposed to dry out ever, how do you keep yours constantly wet? Do you use the buffer solution or just regular tap water in a glass?

dmbnpj · 03/25/2007, 08:31 PM

bump

Young Frankenstein · 03/25/2007, 09:44 PM

bump what? that thing sound like it costs mega bucks

MusMusculus · 03/25/2007, 09:52 PM

Use a saturated KCl solution. Do not use water. You can use ph4 buffer if you need to. I leave the probe upright in a plastic medicine bottle full of saturated KCl. I put a hole in the cap the size of the probe. Little evaporation occurs.

Edit: Also, some of the handheld models have a protective cap that is designed to hold storage solution. Place a few ml in there, cap, and leave upright. I'm not sure how you model is configured.

dmbnpj · 03/26/2007, 05:41 PM

Yah it comes with that cap. Where is the best place to get the KCI solution (best price)? I tried using the buffer solution sachets and it evaporated really fast. Can't afford to keep buying those!
Thanks,
Jeff

bertoni · 03/26/2007, 05:55 PM

Sites like LabSafety.com sell pH probe storage solutions. They should be fine. Does the manufacturer have any recommendations?

A closed container should help with the evaporation problem.

WaterKeeper · 03/26/2007, 06:06 PM

I like MusMusculus's pH 4 buffer with some KCl added. The 4 buffer tends to avoid carbonate build-up while the added KCl limits electrode solubility that occurs in low ionic strength solutions.

03/25/2007, 08:23 AM	#1
dmbnpj Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: north carolina Posts: 1,914	Best way to keep ph meter wet? I have a Hanna handheld ph tester. Since the electrode is not supposed to dry out ever, how do you keep yours constantly wet? Do you use the buffer solution or just regular tap water in a glass?

03/25/2007, 09:52 PM	#4
MusMusculus Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 210	Use a saturated KCl solution. Do not use water. You can use ph4 buffer if you need to. I leave the probe upright in a plastic medicine bottle full of saturated KCl. I put a hole in the cap the size of the probe. Little evaporation occurs. Edit: Also, some of the handheld models have a protective cap that is designed to hold storage solution. Place a few ml in there, cap, and leave upright. I'm not sure how you model is configured. Last edited by MusMusculus; 03/25/2007 at 09:58 PM.

03/26/2007, 05:55 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Sites like LabSafety.com sell pH probe storage solutions. They should be fine. Does the manufacturer have any recommendations? A closed container should help with the evaporation problem. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/26/2007, 06:06 PM	#7
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I like MusMusculus's pH 4 buffer with some KCl added. The 4 buffer tends to avoid carbonate build-up while the added KCl limits electrode solubility that occurs in low ionic strength solutions. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/25/2007, 08:31 PM	#2
dmbnpj Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: north carolina Posts: 1,914	bump

03/25/2007, 09:44 PM	#3
Young Frankenstein Moved On Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Miami Florida. Posts: 3,842	bump what? that thing sound like it costs mega bucks

03/26/2007, 05:41 PM	#5
dmbnpj Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: north carolina Posts: 1,914	Yah it comes with that cap. Where is the best place to get the KCI solution (best price)? I tried using the buffer solution sachets and it evaporated really fast. Can't afford to keep buying those! Thanks, Jeff