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11-26-2004, 01:18 AM
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#1
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 158
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Best electronic test instruments (bang for buck)
Hi All
I am considering purchasing electronic test instruments for
1) salinity
2) pH
I am wondering who makes the most accurate ones at a decent price. Also, I heard there is a test kit that can connect with your computer. It will retain test results over intervals so you can see the trends. Ever tried that?
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11-26-2004, 02:06 AM
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#2
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Clubs Forums Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Chef at Adidas USA Headquarters
Posts: 4,530
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the neptune and octopus controllers both have computer interfaces for data logging, not sure on the other stuff.
pinpoint is probably the cheapest of the reliable brands. i personally have a milwaukie ph and tds meter that i like, but will probably be going with a pinpoint controller until i can afford a full scale controller.
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11-26-2004, 07:45 AM
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#3
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 22,020
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Pinpoint seems to be a good pH monitor, don't know abpit salinity meters, refractometer seems to be the product of choice
__________________
When considering courage in battle, one should remember that there are 2 sides to every conflict.
The heroism of the losing side rarely gets remembered
but we were all husbands and fathers, sons and bros
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11-26-2004, 05:24 PM
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#4
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Reefer in training
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 1,463
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Does anyone make a salinity meter. I have never seen one.
__________________
First Reef and lovin it
105 gallon, 175W MH w VHO Actinics
Refugium by Ecosystem
Live rock is like a box of chocolates, you never know what ya goin get
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11-27-2004, 01:52 AM
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#5
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Clubs Forums Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Chef at Adidas USA Headquarters
Posts: 4,530
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pinpoint makes a salinity meter, others call it a conductivity meter.
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11-27-2004, 08:23 AM
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#6
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Reefer in training
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 1,463
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Krux,
Just goes to show you learn something new very day, thanks. I'll check it out.
__________________
First Reef and lovin it
105 gallon, 175W MH w VHO Actinics
Refugium by Ecosystem
Live rock is like a box of chocolates, you never know what ya goin get
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11-28-2004, 12:15 AM
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#7
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Shark
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 2,280
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I find that one usually doesn't need an electronic salinity meter.I check my salinity every few days and it never changes. I have a refractometer and it takes literally seconds.
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11-28-2004, 02:25 AM
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#8
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Clubs Forums Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Chef at Adidas USA Headquarters
Posts: 4,530
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if you have a programmable computer controller, you can set it to shot off the top off pump if the salinity drops too much, such as when a float switch sticks open. that is a nice feature. otherwise yeah get a refractometer.
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11-28-2004, 09:26 AM
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#9
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The Mechanic
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 375
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I use a pinpoint ph meter. Great meter. I will be replacing it soon with the controler. I also use a refractometer for salinity (or was that for senility  ). If I could aford it (i.e. if my wife wouldn't divorse me) I would get a neptune or octopus system.
Eric...
__________________
120 gal sps dominated reef, 40 gal sump, 30 gal fuge,2 Streams on a multicontroller, MRC MR2, 2X250 DE MH, T5 actinics.MRC CR2 calcium reactor.
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11-28-2004, 10:11 AM
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#10
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Reefer in training
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ridgewood, NJ
Posts: 1,463
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thats what I told everyone for xmas. Give me money so I can buy the neptune or octopus. Already have the network connection under the tank. Just need something to plug into it.
__________________
First Reef and lovin it
105 gallon, 175W MH w VHO Actinics
Refugium by Ecosystem
Live rock is like a box of chocolates, you never know what ya goin get
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