Blue Lab PH pens are not good

[Star Dog]

What is the correct way to store a pH electrode? Westlab

Correct storage of your pH probes can substantially increase the longevity of the probe saving you time, effort, and money. Here are a few points on how to get the most out of your probes. Firstly, you should make sure you always keep your pH electrode moist, the best solution to submerge the...

www.westlab.com

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It is also important that you do not store the pH electrodes in distilled or deionised water as this has little to no ions present and will cause the ions to leach out of the glass bulb and will render your electrode useless.

 

[PadawanWarrior]

What is the correct way to store a pH electrode? Westlab

Correct storage of your pH probes can substantially increase the longevity of the probe saving you time, effort, and money. Here are a few points on how to get the most out of your probes. Firstly, you should make sure you always keep your pH electrode moist, the best solution to submerge the...

www.westlab.com

.
It is also important that you do not store the pH electrodes in distilled or deionised water as this has little to no ions present and will cause the ions to leach out of the glass bulb and will render your electrode useless.

Yep. I was told to never use distilled. Not even to rinse the probe in RO or distilled for the same reason.

Well unless you're making you own KCl storage solution. Then it's KCL and distilled water.

 

[rkymtnman]

will render your electrode useless

it must take longer than 8 or so years cause mine soaks 365 days a year in distilled.

can't believe that i've just been "lucky" for that long?

 

[rkymtnman]

Yep. I was told to never use distilled. Not even to rinse the probe in RO or distilled for the same reason.

Well unless you're making you own KCl storage solution. Then it's KCL and distilled water.

he told me rinse in distilled white vinegar then store in distilled.

oh well

 

[PadawanWarrior]

it must take longer than 8 or so years cause mine soaks 365 days a year in distilled.

can't believe that i've just been "lucky" for that long?

Which Milwalkee do you have? Maybe it works different or something.

 

[PJ Diaz]

i doubt it. 8+ years of no issues says otherwise.

This is from the MW101 manual here: https://milwaukeeinstruments.com/content/manuals/ISTMW101_11_20.pdf

 

[Billytheluther]

Blue labs combo meter kci storage solution and 4.0, 7.0 calibration solution ~250 usd
- thread closed

 

[PJ Diaz]

So your gripe about the soil pH pen is that it doesn’t have a replaceable tip? Does the Apera with the replaceable tip measure soil pH?
Why exactly would you need a replaceable tip if you care for it properly?

Things break even when cared for properly. The ability to replace parts vs buy a whole new product is awesome. I hate products which are throwaway as soon as one part breaks.

 

[Billy the Mountain]

The storage solution is generally 4 molar KCL

Every pH meter I've had calls for that and specifically warns against storing with distilled water

 

[lusidghost]

My 5 year old Bluelab pen finally died when the thermometer wonked out. I don't know how people are messing up their glass bulbs.

 

[Grojak]

milwaukee

I’ve had my MW-121 (I believe) for almost 10 years, replaced 2 probes and I’m due for another. Mines the old grey version but I’m debating going with a Bluelab instead of replacing probe, to gain the additional EC meter.

 

[PadawanWarrior]

My 5 year old Bluelab pen finally died when the thermometer wonked out. I don't know how people are messing up their glass bulbs.

You just jinxed yourself. Shit happens.

 

[rkymtnman]

This is from the MW101 manual here: https://milwaukeeinstruments.com/content/manuals/ISTMW101_11_20.pdf

View attachment 5153732

i'm not gonna argue. that's what a tech told me. like i asked before, i guess i've been lucky for 8+years of distilled is the explanation???

i could care less if they store it in distilled, kcl or applesauce.

 

[rkymtnman]

The storage solution is generally 4 molar KCL

Every pH meter I've had calls for that and specifically warns against storing with distilled water

two thousand and some odd days in distilled here. guess i'm lucky

 

[PadawanWarrior]

two thousand and some odd days in distilled here. guess i'm lucky

At least we can agree on something. Go Avs!

 

[Billy the Mountain]

two thousand and some odd days in distilled here. guess i'm lucky

Supposedly, the ions in the bulb will diffuse out; the 4M KCL keeps things at an equalibrium
I can't picture how glass could be permeable but that's what I've read

So long as you can still calibrate it to get reliable readings, maybe the storage solution is unnecessary or you're lucky

 

[rkymtnman]

Supposedly, the ions in the bulb will diffuse out; the 4M KCL keeps things at an equalibrium
I can't picture how glass could be permeable but that's what I've read

So long as you can still calibrate it to get reliable readings, maybe the storage solution is unnecessary or you're lucky

i adjust it twice a grow. day 1 and then 12/12. it's never off my more than maybe 0.3??? has the nice 2 point calibration which is nice

like i'm saying, i know it's not what you are supposed to do but...???

 

[PadawanWarrior]

i adjust it twice a grow. day 1 and then 12/12. it's never off my more than maybe 0.3??? has the nice 2 point calibration which is nice

like i'm saying, i know it's not what you are supposed to do but...???

Just flush it already!

 

[rkymtnman]

Just flush it already!

when it's brown we flush it down...

 

[PadawanWarrior]

when it's brown we flush it down...

Same here. Yellow's Mellow!