Ph probe longevity

[Gravesj1s]

Ive just had my 2nd ph probe go south and looking to replace it ,yet again.This is the 2nd over an 8 month period,whitch Im not sure why or what causes them to go bad.
Anyone have information to share in regards to longevity,brand,maitenance to followup with.
I've seen some reefers comment on having probes last 2 years or more.
FWIW-The 2 probes Ive used 1 )standard Da. that came with the rke lasted 3 months.Purchased a pinpoint and that lasted 5 months.
-Steve

 

[Anonymous]

It depends how you use it and how you store it. If it is not used continuously, you need to make sure you store it properly since the glass and electrolyte in the probe is sensitive to dry out and chemical attack. I would make sure you store it per manufacturer specification, in the assigned storage solution, etc., and that usually make them last for about a year or two, depends on transducer construction.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Thanks for the response dave.

The probes were both used on a continuous basis,kept submerged in tank water.They seem to go when doing a waterchange.Its at this point I shut all powerheads and pumps off ,do the waterchange.Then something happens when the power is turned back on to the powerheads/pumps ,the probe reads error never working again.Tried an overnight soak in vinegar then re-calibrating,the probe just continues to read error.

From what Im being told now is I likely have a ground and/or stray voltage issue.
It looks to be a tedious process to work out from here.-Steve

 

[Anonymous]

I never heard of stray voltage causing a problem with pH probe, but I guess I never have the stray voltage problem. Is this an explanation from the manufacturer, or someone else? What if you remove the probe before the water change procedure, will that ensure that it will work after you reinstall it back?

 

[Gravesj1s]

~Dave,thanks for the response.
Honestly,I don't really have an answer to what the problem is.I was told to take the probe out of the sump and put it in a glass of tank water to see if the readings were different.Doing that I did find the probe varied from in tank to the glass.I purchased a multimeter to check stray voltage/current.No reading on current but I was able to get a reading for voltage,though ,Im finding that that testing for voltage can be misleading.

I added a grounding probe anyway,and the number did drop a few points ,from like 5-8 to 1-3 depending on where I put the terminals to test for voltage...

I ordered and recieved a new ph probe ,seams to be working again,but I really dont know wherethe issue truly lyes.Its just frustrating to be on my 3rd probe in less than a year.-Steve

 

[Anonymous]

I assume you measure it with AC-voltage setting. I don't think AC will harm the pH probe. But if there are ground loop (DC) that may damage the pH probe. You should talk to the manufacture and see if they can confirm that. (It is like electroplating your pH probe, I think, but I have no experience with this situation).