Care of Probes
Monitoring probes depend on their ability to detect very small changes in water chemistry to give an accurate reading .... unfortunately, although probes will take a certain amount of abuse..... ones which can be kicked around a fish farm and still give good results, have not been invented yet!.... until they are, we suggest that you take care of them.
Almost all probes have some sort of sacrificial part on them that degrades over a period of time, until the probe is worn out. Different types of probes will last for different periods. In the case of many pH probes for example, the life span can be quite short - as little as a few months.
REFLEX type pH probes - as used on the 'ITM' series of monitors - have a much longer life, however ....they cost more! The OxyGuard oxygen probe - used on the 'ITM' series units, has a sacrificial galvanised part, which degrades with time, but is replaceable!
Most probes will give greatly improved service if they are kept moist when not being used .... if a cap is provided with the probe for this purpose .... make sure it is used. In addition to keeping the business end of the probe moist, the caps also protect it against accidental damage.
Where appropriate - eg. for pH probes - use a cleaning solution, to purge the probes of any organic or calcium deposits.
Check the performance of probes against standard solution regularly.
