How to Calibrate your Salinity Probe EP 09: Apex Aquarium Controllers from Neptune Systems

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BRStv - Saltwater Aquariums & Reef Tanks

10 жыл бұрын

brs.li/neptuneapex We're going to show you how to calibrate your salinity probe here in our ninth episode of the Neptune Apex series.
Step 1: Remove the probe from your tank, blow any water out of the end and let it dry. I suggest letting it sit for a few hours to get completely dry. It's extremely important that there is no moisture present between the contacts within the probe.
Step 2: Hit the conductivity calibrate button (it should say dry conductivity probe and settling with a number).
Step 3. Once the number stops moving for 10-20 seconds, hit OK.
TIP: During this time, float the calibration solution in your tank or sump so it's the same temp as the tank.
Step 4: Select the solution you are calibrating.
TIP: A vast majority of saltwater aquarium owners will use a 53,000 solution which is thirty five parts per thousand, or approximately 1.026 specific gravity.
Step 5. Tear or clip the corner off the solution and insert probe. Hold the calibration solution with the probe in the tank so it maintained the same temp as your temperature probe (this is critical).
Step 6: Ensure one of the air holes on the probe is turned upward. Give it a few light taps with your finger to get any air out, and wait for the settling number to stop changing for 10-20 seconds. Try tapping the probe again to see if there is any air left - if the number doesn't change, hit OK.
TIP: The probe is fragile, so be sure to have a light hand when it comes to tapping air out.
Step 7: Confirm your probe is calibrated by leaving it in the solution and checking your home screen, it should read very closely to thirty five parts per thousand.
Remember if you have any issues with this process, the first step is to remove the probe completely and isolate the cord from electrical noise. Throw the temp and salinity probe in the same cup to completely remove the stray voltage issue and see if the if the readings look reasonable now.
If you have any questions about this process or tips for your fellow reefers check out the comments area down below.
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Пікірлер: 35

@beardedandtattooed2372 8 жыл бұрын

I wanted to say thank you so much for making this video. it helped me get the correct reading on it. when I first got my apex i wasnt sure what to do and my readings were 50.2 because when i calibrated it I did it with the range set to high.. thank you so much i feel good that im getting the correct readings because I checked it against my refractometer and it was spot on!! thank you!!!

@beribear7956 8 жыл бұрын

Just an observation. After having issues during the calibration I noticed that just tapping it to get all the air out was not enough. I ended up putting the probe and calibration fluid in a bag then rubber banding it and turning the probe upside down while still in the fluid to get all the air out. In the tank I installed it upside down to get all the air out and to prevent bubbles from ever getting in there.

@RickstersAZ120reef 10 жыл бұрын

As always great video. I have a apex lite so would I have to purchase a add on for a salinity probe?

@twinturbo111 6 жыл бұрын

how different would these instructions be for the NEW apex i purchased from you, which has a LAB-grade probe ?

@battyjoe 8 жыл бұрын

Do i need to clean the probe before calibrating it after a while in the tank to get rid of deposits? i.e. soak it in vinegar

@dtphillips1977 8 жыл бұрын

Hi I'm only going to use ONE temp probe connected straight to the pm2 module. do I sill need to change the temp comp to 2.2 ?

@cassandrarhoades5690 8 жыл бұрын

After calibration, I kept the probe in the solution and it's only reading 34.8. Is that ok? When it's in the tank, it's reading 38.2, but my refractometer is reading 1.023. I don't know which one to trust. I've calibrated the probe twice and I'm at a loss.

@bobbonecrusher 10 жыл бұрын

how often should you calb your probes

@joetaylor5281 5 жыл бұрын

how often dpo you need to calibrate the apex system

@mariahkuitse8926 10 жыл бұрын

How can you tell if your salinity probe needs to be replaced? I have a probe that will have accurate readings for up to two weeks but then will show an increase in salinity unexpectedly and then after recalibration will be work again but only for a short period of time.

@mariahkuitse8926 10 жыл бұрын

***** Our probes are positioned in a tank where the inflow comes from plastic tubing. The tubing has been placed in a way that it hits the probes right around their middle section. Is there a way to avoid the air bubbles even if the probe has to have a constant flow of water on it?

@suhailhassan5051 4 жыл бұрын

My tank is running at 30 degrees Celsius. I kept the solution packet in the sump for a while to acclimate. Then did the calibration process. Is the temp of my tank too high for calibration?

@BRStv 4 жыл бұрын

30 degrees C is pretty darn warm for a reef tank. While I don't think it's too high to perform the calibration process, I'd suggest trying to get the temp down to at least 27-28 degrees C for the sake of the fish and corals.

@ReefRealEstateInCanada 7 жыл бұрын

I am constantly get a calibration fail message. Please help!!

@battyjoe 8 жыл бұрын

Why is is the temp probe calibration set to 2.2? What are the numbers representing and why 2.2?

@battyjoe 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info :)

@jonathanweber8840 7 жыл бұрын

BulkReefSupplyCom This is incorrect. The value is an adjustment that increases the salinity reading by 2.2 ppt per degree Celcius for every degree above 25C and reduces it for every degree below 25C. It is not a percentage. Because the value is a fixed number and not a percentage the actual value will vary depending on the total salinity of the tank as well as the levels of dKH, Ca, and Mg. 2.2 is a good starting point, but the only way to know for sure is to adjust the tank temperature and see if it rises, falls, or stays steady with temperature. If steady you're good, if it rises as temp rises you need to reduce it 0.1, and if it falls as temp rises You need to increase it 0.1. It is also very important that the tank temp be very near 77F or 25C when this is first done or the tank will require calibration again after the temp compensation has been tuned.

@jasondorn896 10 жыл бұрын

is it possible to 'calibrate' the probe in tank by measuring your systems salinity via refractometer, etc. then setting the current value for the probe? would be much less hassle..

@kannadeshi 10 жыл бұрын

***** yeah but i'm not interested in its accuracy. i just want to set alarms based on large variations (ATO sticks, salinity goes from 35 - 32 for example). i want to calibrate it and use it much like you've demo'd the thermometer. is that possible?

@jasondorn896 10 жыл бұрын

kannadeshi exactly..

@extrememiami Жыл бұрын

This is what I'm trying to do also. This probe is nothing but trouble. When I called Neptune they did this in tank but I can't figure out how they did it while on the phone with them. It was manual calibration. They sure don't make it easy on us to find out how. This is the #1 complaint with the Apex. I don't need it spot on I want to set it myself when I know my tank is exactly 35. Someone must know how to do this?? Anyone?????

@ReefRealEstateInCanada 7 жыл бұрын

What does 32.6 mean. That's my reading. I have no idea what the numbers represent. I'm sure it tells me somewhere but I can't find it plus I just want it to work and I'm a bit lazy with this stuff 😄

@ReefRealEstateInCanada 7 жыл бұрын

BulkReefSupplyCom got her, thanks bud. I guess I could always read. Hahha. 👍all good cheers!

@stanfaulconer3228 7 жыл бұрын

apex said the solution itself will fluctuate salinity with temp changes so you wont necessarily get a 35ppt at the end on the display

@johnmadden3570 5 жыл бұрын

Seems like Rocket Science.

@reyescalvillo 9 жыл бұрын

My salinity box is blinking Orange how and it won't let me calibrate the probe

@reyescalvillo 8 жыл бұрын

+BulkReefSupplyCom no it dose not I'm sending it in to get a new one

@TheEscargoth 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. But its possible in French ?

@ironman20725 7 жыл бұрын

I still can not get it to calibrate

@ironman20725 7 жыл бұрын

I did and they got it to work after 3 days

@jonathanweber8840 7 жыл бұрын

You are missing STEP #1. THE PROBE NEEDS TO SOAK IN SALTWATER FOR A WEEK BEFORE CALIBRATION. Failure to do this will force another calibration within the next week of ownership.

@jonathanweber8840 7 жыл бұрын

BulkReefSupplyCom It is not listed in the manufacturers instructions, but is a known issue that has plagued the forums since before I owned an apex (I am Zombie on neptune forums btw). According to neptune reps, a full week is not necessary but at least overnight to 24 hours is and from experience in the forums it is often closer to 48 before it settles out (I always say a week because that's what an ORP needs and usually people buy everything at once. Better overdo it than underdo it and have to recalibrate). Also the drying step (though mentioned in the manual as well) does more harm than good. The correct procedure is to rinse in RODI and lightly pad the tip with a paper towel. The goal there is to remove any salt, not to dry the tip.

@thepassionreef 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Jonathan i think i messed up mine when i was caliberating my new salinity probe last night...i am getting a result of 18ppt..i have an apex 2016 do i set my temp compensation at 2.2% when i re do it again after a week as i will let the probe sit in the sump for now allowing it to break in. Neptune needs to provide a full indepth instructions on these probes. No where on their website under Get Started Guide discuss calibrating the probes. Thank you for your service on Neptune forum. Ryan Thank you for all the videos you guys come up with much appreciated....