Ph Meter and the Taylor drop test

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Sharkygirl

Sharkygirl

0
Gold Supporter
Oct 26, 2014
206
Sarasota, FL
Pool Size
18000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Bought an electric pH test meter. It didn't come with any instructions for calibration. It did come with 3 packets of powder that gets mixed for the low, med and high pH tests for the calibration however. It did NOT come with any instructions about how to use and how to store. It did say it comes calibrated and only needs recalibration about once a year. So I mistakenly thought that I just dip the sucker in the pool and read it. However the meter changes and never stops. It will start at 7.6 and then keeps rising and stops finally around 8.74 or something. This goes on for close to a minute or more. However using the drop test with my Taylor test kit reads 7.6 if I am reading the colors correctly. So I must be doing something wrong with the electric meter. I am solid on using the Taylor and I trust it above all else.

I read about storing the pH meter in a solution, what solution? My meter comes with a cap. I always rinse it in R/O water after testing the pool water, and then pop the cap on and put it in a drawer. I don't trust the thing. I've been reading that the pH meters need to calibrated every week. What!? That sounds like an awful lot of work, and for what. The whole purpose of buying the thing was to save time and money buying drops. It takes less than 30 seconds to use the Taylor test. If I need to buy calibration solutions all the time- what good is the meter? Not only does it cost a pretty penny, constantly having to buy calibration solutions doesn't sound cheap either.

So I am wondering about other peoples experiences using an electric pH meter. My whole purpose with buying one in the first place was so I could be more accurate in my testing. However, since I can't trust it, the accuracy isn't happening. No I haven't calibrated it yet and yes it reads 7.0 when testing the R/O water.
 
I've enjoyed my electronic meter. I'm not able to get good readings using the pH test that comes with my TF-Pro Salt test kit. There just isn't enough color differentiation for me. I do like the Taylor 9056 comparator with the R-0004 reagent and get readings that match my meter. If I had a wish for improving the TF-Pro test kit, that would be it.

My meter does creep up a bit when first put in solutions then levels off and sometimes goes down just a bit. By a bit I mean 0.01 pH or so. I average the reading to 0.1 pH. I did find that it is important to agitate or tap on the meter to clear air bubbles from the sensor. The readings settle faster when I do that. As far as storing the meter in solution, my meter cap has a small bit of foam in it that the instructions said to place a drop of solution on it. It tends to stay moist between uses.

I got the little test packets too, but also purchased test solutions that I store in the fridge because I didn't feel confident i was getting the powder fully dissolved. My meter has always been within a few hundredths of the calibration solution value.
 
mShark said:
I've enjoyed my electronic meter. I'm not able to get good readings using the pH test that comes with my TF-Pro Salt test kit. There just isn't enough color differentiation for me. I do like the Taylor 9056 comparator with the R-0004 reagent and get readings that match my meter. If I had a wish for improving the TF-Pro test kit, that would be it.

My meter does creep up a bit when first put in solutions then levels off and sometimes goes down just a bit. By a bit I mean 0.01 pH or so. I average the reading to 0.1 pH. I did find that it is important to agitate or tap on the meter to clear air bubbles from the sensor. The readings settle faster when I do that. As far as storing the meter in solution, my meter cap has a small bit of foam in it that the instructions said to place a drop of solution on it. It tends to stay moist between uses.

I got the little test packets too, but also purchased test solutions that I store in the fridge because I didn't feel confident i was getting the powder fully dissolved. My meter has always been within a few hundredths of the calibration solution value.
Click to expand...
How often do you need to calibrate your meter?
 
What model pH meter are we discussing?
 
Sharkygirl said:
Bought an electric pH test meter. It didn't come with any instructions for calibration. It did come with 3 packets of powder that gets mixed for the low, med and high pH tests for the calibration however. It did NOT come with any instructions about how to use and how to store. It did say it comes calibrated and only needs recalibration about once a year. So I mistakenly thought that I just dip the sucker in the pool and read it. However the meter changes and never stops. It will start at 7.6 and then keeps rising and stops finally around 8.74 or something. This goes on for close to a minute or more. However using the drop test with my Taylor test kit reads 7.6 if I am reading the colors correctly. So I must be doing something wrong with the electric meter. I am solid on using the Taylor and I trust it above all else.

I read about storing the pH meter in a solution, what solution? My meter comes with a cap. I always rinse it in R/O water after testing the pool water, and then pop the cap on and put it in a drawer. I don't trust the thing. I've been reading that the pH meters need to calibrated every week. What!? That sounds like an awful lot of work, and for what. The whole purpose of buying the thing was to save time and money buying drops. It takes less than 30 seconds to use the Taylor test. If I need to buy calibration solutions all the time- what good is the meter? Not only does it cost a pretty penny, constantly having to buy calibration solutions doesn't sound cheap either.

So I am wondering about other peoples experiences using an electric pH meter. My whole purpose with buying one in the first place was so I could be more accurate in my testing. However, since I can't trust it, the accuracy isn't happening. No I haven't calibrated it yet and yes it reads 7.0 when testing the R/O water.
Click to expand...
What is the name of your electronic meter?
I have an Apera 60. I calibrated it about every 3 months. I use it weekly (in winter) and almost daily during the summer.
There is a specific process to calibrate it using the 3 packets they gave you.
search online for the instruction manual or return it to the store you purchased it from.
I and many others have been pleased with the Apera model.

Also, I pour some pool water in a plastic cup and then place the meter in it. I let it sit for 10 mins or so while I do other pool tests. Then I turn it on to get my pH reading. The sitting in the cup allows the probe to reach a constant temperature.
 
mShark said:
I've enjoyed my electronic meter. I'm not able to get good readings using the pH test that comes with my TF-Pro Salt test kit. There just isn't enough color differentiation for me. I do like the Taylor 9056 comparator with the R-0004 reagent and get readings that match my meter. If I had a wish for improving the TF-Pro test kit, that would be it.

My meter does creep up a bit when first put in solutions then levels off and sometimes goes down just a bit. By a bit I mean 0.01 pH or so. I average the reading to 0.1 pH. I did find that it is important to agitate or tap on the meter to clear air bubbles from the sensor. The readings settle faster when I do that. As far as storing the meter in solution, my meter cap has a small bit of foam in it that the instructions said to place a drop of solution on it. It tends to stay moist between uses.

I got the little test packets too, but also purchased test solutions that I store in the fridge because I didn't feel confident i was getting the powder fully dissolved. My meter has always been within a few hundredths of the calibration solution value.
Click to expand...
It should have instructions but I found the meter way more hassle than just adding drops to a water sample.
 
FWIW, a lot of helpful information about ph meters and similar test instruments can be found on forums for fish aquarium enthusiasts. Unlike one’s pool chemistry which allows more latitude in use of reagents to get close ballpark readings, aquarium owners have to attain water specs with more accuracy. It’s a delicate balancing act with only minor movement in their water chemistry that can mean losing potentially thousands invested in some of the more rare, exotic species.
 
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I have a Yinmik YK-5. It's a cheapy on Amazon, but I have been impressed with the calibration stability. I initially tested it once a month in the test solutions I purchased at the same time. Extended that to 3 months and did a calibration at 6. It hasn't drifted enough the last time I checked it for me to bother with a calibration. Too be honest I am surprised it has lasted this long with utility for me.
 

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mShark said:
I have a Yinmik YK-5. It's a cheapy on Amazon, but I have been impressed with the calibration stability. I initially tested it once a month in the test solutions I purchased at the same time. Extended that to 3 months and did a calibration at 6. It hasn't drifted enough the last time I checked it for me to bother with a calibration. Too be honest I am surprised it has lasted this long with utility for me.
Click to expand...
Do you keep it in a solution to store it?
 
So...
Do I keep it stored in a solution of some sort?
How long do I let it sit in the pool water to get an accurate reading?
How often are these things supposed to be calibrated?
 
Sharkygirl said:
So...
Do I keep it stored in a solution of some sort?
How long do I let it sit in the pool water to get an accurate reading?
How often are these things supposed to be calibrated?
Click to expand...
I bought the same meter and am also struggling with lack of instructions. YouTube search yields generic Chinese videos.

I found this which is either the same or very similar meter. Explains things better…

 
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