NoMoreGoldFish
Aquarium Advice Freak
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2011
- Messages
- 249
I can get one from UP for $20, should I go for it?
How accurate are electronic PH meters?
- Thread starter NoMoreGoldFish
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
TheCrazyFishLady
Aquarium Advice Addict
Is it lab-grade? Or better yet, a brand and model name/number would help.
Most lab-grade pH meters are very accurate. Coming within a accuracy of .001 if memory serves me. For an aquarium, I feel that it would be more than suited.
Most lab-grade pH meters are very accurate. Coming within a accuracy of .001 if memory serves me. For an aquarium, I feel that it would be more than suited.
OP
OP
NoMoreGoldFish
Aquarium Advice Freak
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2011
- Messages
- 249
It's called UP PH pen tester. I think it's a Chinese brand so I'm worried about the accuracy.
http://www.up-aqua.com/00-dm-page/00up_dm-phpen-big.jpg
http://www.up-aqua.com/00-dm-page/00up_dm-phpen-big.jpg
TheCrazyFishLady
Aquarium Advice Addict
Hm... looks iffy, but I could be wrong. I'll Google it for a sec and get back to you.
TheCrazyFishLady
Aquarium Advice Addict
Well, from what I can tell, it looks alright. I know that pen pH testers are used in laboratories for a quick check on acidity. They are not the most accurate, more of a quick thing. Lots of chemists carry one in the pocket of their lab coats.
Anyway, it is stated it has an accuracy of 0.1 . Which, I would imagine is alright. Are you comfortable with a possible difference of either the pH being 6.5 or 6.6 or 6.4? All three of those are the possibility. Instruments are also tended to be higher rated, so it's up to your discretion.
One thing I would like to add, it is claimed to have a glass electrode. They are very sensitive, easily broken, and difficult to find a replacement (in most cases). I wouldn't buy a used one unless it were in my hands. It could be cracked, scratched, broken, etc.
If I were buying one for myself, I would pick one up for twenty bucks.
BTW, I'm an undergrad professional chemistry student and have worked at the environmental chemistry department at UGA as a lab assistant, so I have a little bit of first hand knowledge.
Anyway, it is stated it has an accuracy of 0.1 . Which, I would imagine is alright. Are you comfortable with a possible difference of either the pH being 6.5 or 6.6 or 6.4? All three of those are the possibility. Instruments are also tended to be higher rated, so it's up to your discretion.
One thing I would like to add, it is claimed to have a glass electrode. They are very sensitive, easily broken, and difficult to find a replacement (in most cases). I wouldn't buy a used one unless it were in my hands. It could be cracked, scratched, broken, etc.
If I were buying one for myself, I would pick one up for twenty bucks.
BTW, I'm an undergrad professional chemistry student and have worked at the environmental chemistry department at UGA as a lab assistant, so I have a little bit of first hand knowledge.
jetajockey
come get me tang police!
I'd like to get one of these to do quick checks, I'm more concerned with general values and stability over exact #'s so I think it'd work out great. I already use a pen TDS meter. Makes testing much simpler and faster.
gohy898
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2011
- Messages
- 12
You have to calibrate the ph pen once in a while with a solution to ensure it is accurate.
TheCrazyFishLady
Aquarium Advice Addict
So, how did it go? Did you pick it up?
And as gohy989 said, you need to calibrate it. Actually, you should calibrate it everytime before you use it. That is the point of calibration accuracy.
And as gohy989 said, you need to calibrate it. Actually, you should calibrate it everytime before you use it. That is the point of calibration accuracy.
