continuos live ph tester

[875mill]

Just wondering If anyone here has any experience with these, curious to know how accurate they are.

[7Enigma]

Do you mean like a pH diode that sits in the water and monitors the tank at all times? Many people use these and they are far more accurate than test drops/strips. They should be cleaned from time to time to remove deposits, and replaced once a year or so, but are very reliable.

[875mill]

No I'm talking about these things.

http://www.fish.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=710340+003

[7Enigma]

Strips are notoriously inaccurate, and long-term readings are probably more so. If you don't have a planted tank and are concerned about CO2 levels, there is no reason to need/monitor pH IMO.

[QTOFFER]

I don't think they would be any more accurate than test strips, and would probably be less accurate than the liquid test kits. Their main advantage would be to let you know if something bad was in the process of happening.

It seems pretty expensive for something that must be replaced every month or two.

[7Enigma]

Originally Posted by QTOFFER

I don't think they would be any more accurate than test strips, and would probably be less accurate than the liquid test kits. Their main advantage would be to let you know if something bad was in the process of happening.

It seems pretty expensive for something that must be replaced every month or two.

I could see a use for a planted tank with a DIY or pressurized CO2 setup, but there are definitely better options for that case. For a normal tank, I just don't see a use. MAYBE if you were going to add some driftwood and wanted to see what happened pH-wise, but a liquid pH test is about as easy as they get! (3 drops into 5ml and mix for the AP kit, takes no more than 10seconds).

[QTOFFER]

Originally Posted by 7Enigma

I could see a use for a planted tank with a DIY or pressurized CO2 setup, but there are definitely better options for that case. For a normal tank, I just don't see a use. MAYBE if you were going to add some driftwood and wanted to see what happened pH-wise, but a liquid pH test is about as easy as they get! (3 drops into 5ml and mix for the AP kit, takes no more than 10seconds).

I agree.
Continuous pH measurement really isn't necessary unless you have CO2. The only other reason I could think of is if your tap water varies frequently because of something being/not being done at the purification plant. The liquid test kits are the most economical and accurate way to go.

[875mill]

I do use pressurized co2 in my tank. was just wondering if this thing was a glorified test strip or if it was actually useful.

[confusion]

The consencus is that the continuous ph monitors aren't worth the hassle, but I do use these: http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...eaco2indicator
to monitor CO2. The liquid is blue if there is too little CO2, green if there is enough (20 to 30ppm, I believe) and yellow if there is too much.

Sadly, I've never been able to get mine to turn green with my DIY setup unless I turn all my filters off.

[Fishyfanatic]

I use that checker confusion. Last week I JUST got it to turn green.