Need some help

I am looking for ways of getting away from chemical reagent tests. I just purchased a PH tester and am happy with it. When trying to eliminate the Alkalinity test I found this; Conductivity Meter with Automatic Temperature Compensation | Conductivity Meters | Testing Equipment | Aquarium - ThatPetPlace.com

It measures conductivity which if I am reading correctly gives a window into the "hardness" of the water. I'm not sure how to relate it though to an Alk measurement. Then it states this; "This unit is perfect for spot checks of conductivity in aquarium systems. It provides stable and reliable results because of the 10 digit resolution. Testing for minerals like calcium and magnesium has never been easier or less expensive."

How would it show Mag and Cal? If you can somehow get Alk, Cal and Mag from one unit the $80.00 would be worth it.

 

Any one with any thoughts?

 

Conductivity I believe will give you a reading that you can convert to overall salinity. I've considered a salinity monitor eventually but I want to give the current batch of salinity monitors more time to burn in with people using them/reviewing them. I don't know how it would measure Mg and Cal. Sounds fishy to me.

Here is an article about an electronic calcium monitor, it mentions how alkalinity isn't possible to monitor at the moment.
Electronic Calcium Monitoring by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

Yes, I read that article, that is why I was confused about the product. Thanks for trying to help, I guess no one else has a clue about the meter.

 

I question the accuracy of that description. At the bottom they start mentioning pH cailbration which makes absolutely no sense.

I'm guessing this is just a conductivity meter for salinity and has some misleading comments in the description.

 

ro\di, of course, has 0 conductivity. can not electrocute you.

when you add minerals, be it salt, magnesium salts, calcium salts, etc. this all puts junk in the water that can conduct.

when you measure your SG, this is not just "salt" in saltwater (well, it is, but not just NaCl). This is a measurement of all your salts, including Mg for example.


so this monitor is a fancy way to say it measures your SG. I think it is similar to TDS. You can know the reading, but that reading does not actually tell you what the dissolved solids are... in much the same way, your refractometer can not tell "salt" apart from Mg salts etc and just gives a total SG reading.

I think the wording of this particular device is overly vague to sound like it tests more than it does... I would skip it.

 

All I read was that it reads your conductivity through electrical current. I think its a waste of money. I bought the PinPoint Cal. monitor and what a waste of my money. It worked for the first 2 months, after that it hasnt worked correctly, even after spending another $200. on a new probe. They all sound like new toys to have, but are a waste of money. They need to be calibrated every 6 months or so, new probes every yr. Not worth it if you ask me.



luna

 

I agree with Luna. These things need too much maintenance.

Now my pH pen is cheap (~$30 on eBay) and works great. Instant and precise pH readings.

I've looked into the nitrate probes too and a local reefer (not on 3reef) has them and says he has to replace the probes every 3-4 months...

So I'm just sticking to the liquid test with that... for now.

 

The only probes that I've seen that work great without replacing them or recalibrating so frequently, are the probes that come with the controllers. The "lab-grade" ones at least.


luna

 

this is the pH probe I have (the red one).

The black cap comes off and you dip the end in the water.

I only calibrate it once a year... I try to every 6 months or so, but it hasn't been off yet...