Apisto Ph

[inexorable]

How do you measure Ph that is less than the lower bound of conventional test kits? Mine only goes to 6.2.

 

[Mike Wise]

You will probably need a pH meter. There are test strips that have lower ranges, too, but you will have to buy them from a scientific supply source.

 

[inexorable]

Do you use a pH meter? What do you use to measure low pH?

 

[tjudy]

There are several meters available. I use the Hanna Combo meter that measures pH and conductivity. It is not a cheap meter though. Hanna also has inexpensive models ($25 - $35) that will measure pH for you. You will also need to get calibration solutions. A google search for Hanna pH meter will get many hits.

 

[scott]

sera has a chemical tests that goes down to 5.0, that's what i use. honestly i go by harness alot more than ph so the sera test is adequate for my needs.

 

[blueblue]

I do prefer to use pH meter more as some apisto species,
such as Apistogramma diplotaenia, do prefer a very low pH
(below 5) in order to breed successfully. Moreover,
those testing kits usually rely on color as the indicator. However,
unless the water in the tank is purely colorless, the accuracy is
under doubt...

 

[inexorable]

pH meter calibration solutions

I have seen meters in my perusals of mail order catalogs. It seems like you must use both a solution rated above and below the upper and lower bounds respectively of pH that you are interested in to calibrate these meters. Is that how it works? How often should the meter be calibrated?

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

For most of us, a 2 point calibration using pH 4 and pH 7 will be sufficient.

With regards frequency, if I follow the lab protocol, then the pH meter is calibrated once a day when it is being used. The Hanna pH meter I use at home, suggests that you could calibrate once a month. Key to this though will be keeping the bulb on the pH probe in good condition, eg storage in the proper solutions when not in use.

Regards

Andrew

 

[tjudy]

I calibrate once a month a use RO/DI water as a storage solution.. pH 7.0. I use the solution sachettes rather than buying the larger bottles of solution. Sachettes have a longer shelf life, especially if you refridgerate them and warm them to room temperature before calibrating. The cost of a box of sachettes is more than the cost of a bottle, but when calibrating only once or twice a month a box of sachettes lasts me a year.