Neptune Conductivity Probe - Weird Behavior

[MaddyP]

Has anyone experienced something like this? It seems the probe is slowly dropping to a point them spiking back to normal. Nothing odd going on with the tank, ATO is working as expected. These spikes don't correlate with any of the other equipment operating.

#apexusers

 

[jonmos75]

Has anyone experienced something like this? It seems the probe is slowly dropping to a point them spiking back to normal. Nothing odd going on with the tank, ATO is working as expected. These spikes don't correlate with any of the other equipment operating.

#apexusers

View attachment 574735

Looks like micro-bubble are collecting in the prob causing the numbers to drop. When the air bubble escapes out one of the two holes on the side of the conductivity probe and once the air bubble leaves the salinity reading goes back to the normal range.

 

[reefwiser]

Yes water bubbles collecting on the probe can cause it.

 

[httorihanzo]

Hum.. I am wondering if putting my probe holding in my drain/skimmer section of my new build might be a bad idea because of this. It makes sense that the bubbles would skew the readings.

 

[reefwiser]

Oh yes water turbulence is a bad spot for any probe. The water is changing too much do to the flow a smooth even flow is the best.

 

[Salty1962]

I take mine and shack it every week or when it starts recording weird. I have it on the up slope of a baffle.

 

[MaddyP]

Looks like micro-bubble are collecting in the prob causing the numbers to drop. When the air bubble escapes out one of the two holes on the side of the conductivity probe and once the air bubble leaves the salinity reading goes back to the normal range.

I hadn't even considered this. Probe has read within normal range for nearly two months, then this started out of nowhere.

 

[zachxlutz]

I hadn't even considered this. Probe has read within normal range for nearly two months, then this started out of nowhere.

Mine does this slowly over time too. I've found shaking the probe under water releases the bubbles and gets me back to reading accurately.

 

[MaddyP]

Mine does this slowly over time too. I've found shaking the probe under water releases the bubbles and gets me back to reading accurately.

Well, I think I'll need to reconfigure mine. I'm not for having to shake it every day.

 

[reefwiser]

A measurement cell can be used to secure and maintain a steady flow thru a probe station
https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/usa/product/measurement-cell/

 

[MaddyP]

A measurement cell can be used to secure and maintain a steady flow thru a probe station
https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/usa/product/measurement-cell/

Ooo...I kinda like that! I think I'll incorporate this when I replumb the tank. Seems a solid idea both for maintenance and minimization of interference.

 

[reefwiser]

I use this kind of probe holder at work and home.