Pinpoint pH Probe question

landlord · 08/01/2008, 07:23 AM

Greetings,

I am trying to figure out what might be the cause of wacky pH readings. I have a Pinpoint probe (<6 months old) connected to my RK2.

The reading went crazy last week and I went to bed one night with the usual 7.9 - 8.0 range and woke up to 11.35. Hmmm..... Tried to recalibrated the probe and the RK2 calibration numbers didn't move, I. E. it was already calibrated, I guess.

Put the probe back into the tank and then got a 6.7 ish reading that hasn't budged. I even placed the probe into a vat of Kalkwasser and it remained the same 6.7 ish.

Is this probe dead? Is this some kind of known issue maybe with the RK2 (I have a support ticket into digitalaquatics) that someone else has resolved?

Looking for some thoughts before I pony up 49 bucks for a replacement probe. Wouldn't want to buy another one if it is not broke, ya know.

Thanks RC

--landlord

solid14th · 08/01/2008, 08:11 AM

I don't know about using the probe w/ the RK2 but I do know that mine goes wacky when the battery gets low. Once a new one is put in it works normally.

landlord · 08/01/2008, 08:15 AM

The usage via RK2 would be synonymous to having the AC adapter on your unit. In any case I have power, just funky data.

Thanks for looking though.

discocarp · 08/01/2008, 08:20 AM

1. Check the battery (you don't have one, but I put this here for later searchers who might)
2. Recalibrate (you did this)
3. Clean with a soft toothbrush then recalibrate again
4. Test it in tank water but in a separate container (so nothing else electrical is in the water for the test to interfere)
5. If it still doesn't work, its time for a new probe

landlord · 08/01/2008, 08:28 AM

I did everything except for number 4. I'll try it, I kind of hope it doesn't work becuase then I'll have to fix some confounded electrical issue.

thanks discocarp

discocarp · 08/01/2008, 08:43 AM

4 is a long shot, but its easy enough to test!

Actually, since you put it in a kalk container, you've done 4 too... I think its time for a new probe. Hopefully not a new controller hehe!

pdfrogman · 08/01/2008, 08:53 AM

I had my pinpoint (one to read tank PH, on to read effluent from Ca reactor) and both would go nuts when my VHO's came on.

I use batteries now ans readings are stable

landlord · 08/01/2008, 09:33 AM

I did have issues with the probe when I had a grounding probe in tank water but after removing it things got better.

I was thinking the same about number 4 but maybe it's simply the proximaty to electronic devices. Another long shot, I probably got a crappy probe from the get go. Shelf life was probably used up or something.

Kind of upsetting.

Thanks for the info

discocarp · 08/01/2008, 09:35 AM

IMO the pinpoint probes seem VERY variable in their life. I've had one last a couple years. I've had others die in 2 months.

Roll the dice...

landlord · 08/01/2008, 09:46 AM

indeed

08/01/2008, 07:23 AM	#1
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	Pinpoint pH Probe question Greetings, I am trying to figure out what might be the cause of wacky pH readings. I have a Pinpoint probe (<6 months old) connected to my RK2. The reading went crazy last week and I went to bed one night with the usual 7.9 - 8.0 range and woke up to 11.35. Hmmm..... Tried to recalibrated the probe and the RK2 calibration numbers didn't move, I. E. it was already calibrated, I guess. Put the probe back into the tank and then got a 6.7 ish reading that hasn't budged. I even placed the probe into a vat of Kalkwasser and it remained the same 6.7 ish. Is this probe dead? Is this some kind of known issue maybe with the RK2 (I have a support ticket into digitalaquatics) that someone else has resolved? Looking for some thoughts before I pony up 49 bucks for a replacement probe. Wouldn't want to buy another one if it is not broke, ya know. Thanks RC --landlord

08/01/2008, 08:11 AM	#2
solid14th Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Philly burbs Posts: 234	I don't know about using the probe w/ the RK2 but I do know that mine goes wacky when the battery gets low. Once a new one is put in it works normally. __________________ Genetic blends with uncertain ends on a fortune hunt that's far too fleet --N. Peart Current Tank Info: 120g reef

08/01/2008, 08:15 AM	#3
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	The usage via RK2 would be synonymous to having the AC adapter on your unit. In any case I have power, just funky data. Thanks for looking though. __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish

08/01/2008, 08:28 AM	#5
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	I did everything except for number 4. I'll try it, I kind of hope it doesn't work becuase then I'll have to fix some confounded electrical issue. thanks discocarp __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish

08/01/2008, 09:33 AM	#8
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	I did have issues with the probe when I had a grounding probe in tank water but after removing it things got better. I was thinking the same about number 4 but maybe it's simply the proximaty to electronic devices. Another long shot, I probably got a crappy probe from the get go. Shelf life was probably used up or something. Kind of upsetting. Thanks for the info __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish

08/01/2008, 08:20 AM	#4
discocarp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 2,707	1. Check the battery (you don't have one, but I put this here for later searchers who might) 2. Recalibrate (you did this) 3. Clean with a soft toothbrush then recalibrate again 4. Test it in tank water but in a separate container (so nothing else electrical is in the water for the test to interfere) 5. If it still doesn't work, its time for a new probe

08/01/2008, 08:43 AM	#6
discocarp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 2,707	4 is a long shot, but its easy enough to test! Actually, since you put it in a kalk container, you've done 4 too... I think its time for a new probe. Hopefully not a new controller hehe!

08/01/2008, 08:53 AM	#7
pdfrogman Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vernon, NJ Posts: 269	I had my pinpoint (one to read tank PH, on to read effluent from Ca reactor) and both would go nuts when my VHO's came on. I use batteries now ans readings are stable

08/01/2008, 09:35 AM	#9
discocarp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 2,707	IMO the pinpoint probes seem VERY variable in their life. I've had one last a couple years. I've had others die in 2 months. Roll the dice...

08/01/2008, 09:46 AM	#10
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	indeed __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish