Anyone have Neptune Apex Conductivity/Salinity Module?

[fredro]

I have heard nothing but weak comments about the PM2 Salinity Module for the Neptune Apex. Are the probes really that unstable and do they need to be recalibrated and replaced that often. It isn't that big of a deal, but I would like to know from people that actually have or have had them, not just people that don't have them because of "what they've heard." On another note, has anyone ever heard of anyone that had the Dissolved Oxygen PM3, whose probe costs $699?

 

[cmantis]

I had one but the probe was broken (not by me) so have never used it. I do know people with the dissolved oxygen probe. Actually I just recently learned how important this is but not sure I would need to test for it although was a costly mistake.

I just got a digital handheld refractometer but haven't had time to play with it. I don't test my salt I just taste it.

 

[Reefinny]

I have the PM2 and been using almost a year. Mine has been pretty consistent and accurate. I do calibrate all my probes as well as clean them every few months.

I dont have or run the pm3

 

[greg 45]

For the price and poor measurements that they give and cost of replacement you can purchase a Milwaukee ma887 for around $110.00 give or take . Oxygen probes are costly and would not trust them either .

 

[viplok]

i have mine for 2 years, never replaced (touch wood). this prob need to be recalibrate every few month. the reading is not accurate, however, its very consistent. just make sure you have a refacto for cross reference when number is out of range. i wont count on it for accurate reading, but its good for safety measures. will i recommend getting it? why not. is it worth it? not really.

 

[fredro]

i have mine for 2 years, never replaced (touch wood). this prob need to be recalibrate every few month. the reading is not accurate, however, its very consistent. just make sure you have a refacto for cross reference when number is out of range. i wont count on it for accurate reading, but its good for safety measures. will i recommend getting it? why not. is it worth it? not really.

Like most things in this hobby. Thanks for the reply!

 

[fredro]

I have the PM2 and been using almost a year. Mine has been pretty consistent and accurate. I do calibrate all my probes as well as clean them every few months.

I dont have or run the pm3

Yea, the pm3 isn't really even available at most vendors, let alone have I heard of anyone owning one. Can't imagine needing a $700 probe n $100 module to tell me the water is oxygenated enough... Especially when running a skimmer.

It seems the people that aren't fans of the salinity probe/module are mostly people that don't have them n never have. I don't alwys buy stuff because I need it and it's the most efficient, but because I can n I want to. Like why I got an orp probe... Because I was tired of looking at the unused port on my apex. Just bc

 

[Geraud]

Regular calibration (more often than say, pH) is indeed primordial. Otherwise it is not bad at all as long as you follow the "no bubbles around it" rules.

 

[cmantis]

I played with my digital 'pen' salinity probe today and it seems to work well. I just need to learn to convert in my head.

 

[fredro]

I played with my digital 'pen' salinity probe today and it seems to work well. I just need to learn to convert in my head.

Yea, why is the PPT reading available and not the SG reading? It's like the PPT is the "metric system" for salinity and the SG readings are being phased out in the electronics.

 

[Mattl22]

I have the orp and salinty probe it's nice to be able to check it as reference just keeps eye on overall picture of things I'm just starting to learn the apex but seems like it can do an amazing amount of things def a learning curve and things like setting up probes or commands etc r not easy but I'm happy with it over all and as I add more fail safes make me feel more comfortable ...