When using pH probes, it’s important to note that they require a break-in period of approximately one week. This period allows the probe to adapt and remove residual oils from manufacturing. To help with this break-in period, you can try the following:
Soak the new probe in rubbing alcohol for 30 minutes, ensuring the tip is fully submerged.
Recalibrate the probe at least once a week for the first three weeks.
Once the break-in period is complete, the readings should become stable.
Step 1: Physically Connect the pH Probe
Connect the pH Probe BNC connector to one of the Probe Ports (Light Blue) on your Control unit.
At this time, please do NOT remove the probe from the small storage container it came with.
Step 2: Create the pH Probe Input
From the STATUS screen, tap the three horizontal dots to the right of the INPUTS label.
Select “Add / Edit Input”
Tap on the + symbol in the bottom-right corner
Enter the name you wish to assign to your input and tap “Create.”
Step 3: Configure the pH Probe Input
Type: Probe Port
Probe Port: Select the port number where you physically connected the pH probe
Probe Mode: pH
Safe Range Low: This option lets you set the lowest point before the Control notifies you that the pH is too low.
Safe RangeHigh: This option lets you set the upper limit before the Control notifies you that the pH is too high.
Graph Value Limits: You can set the maximum and minimum values under the Graphs view.
Temperature Input: This allows you to select a temperature probe to improve the accuracy of the pH reading.
Offset: If the pH reading is slightly off after completing a full probe calibration, you can use this option to make minor corrections. Keep in mind that the maximum offset allowed is ±0.5. If the discrepancy exceeds this range, it’s best to recalibrate or replace the probe.
4.0, 7.0, and 10.0 Calibration: See the “Calibrating a pH Probe” section below.
Notification Level: This option lets you specify the notification level you want to receive. You will receive notifications when:
pH is outside the safe range.
The controller has lost connection to the sensor.
Is Invisible: If you choose to hide the input from the status screen, it will only become visible on pages that have “Show Invisible” selected.
Step 4: Upload the Changes
After configuring the pH probe, tap on the yellow bar at the bottom to upload your changes to the cloud and each HYDROS device.
Calibrating a pH Probe
TIP:Q: Should I always calibrate new probes?
A: No! The HYDROS uses state-of-the-art pH hardware that is fully isolated from interference. This means it is isolated from external interference and interference from other chips and components on the HYDROS PC board. For this reason, most probes will give you highly accurate readings WITHOUT needing calibration. You ONLY need to calibrate the probe if the original non-calibrated readings are inaccurate.
Sometimes, based on the quality and age of the pH probe, the HYDROS Controller might need to be calibrated to the probe’s skewed voltage reading. To calibrate, you will need the following:
pH probe
Calibration fluids 4.01, 7.01, and 10.01 at tank temperature
WARNING: ALWAYS calibrate 7.01 first and ALWAYS upload changes after each calibration.
Step 1: Calibrate 7.01
Remove the small storage container from the probe’s tip
Place the probe into the 7.01 calibration solution and swirl it around to ensure no air bubbles are trapped inside the probe’s tip.
Tap the “Recalibrate” button on the app and WAIT for 2 MINUTES!
After the 2 minutes have passed and the value has stabilized, press “Accept.”
Upload your changes
TIP: RECOMMENDED – After uploading the changes, DO NOT remove the probe from the calibration solution. Instead, verify your pH calibration as follows:
Go to the Status screen and check the pH tile’s reading. The reading should be very close to 7.01.
If the reading is very close to 7, proceed to step 2 below.
If the reading is substantially off, rerun the calibration.
Step 2: Calibrate 4.01 and 10.01
TIP: You only need to calibrate 7.01 and 10.01 for standard Marine Aquarium pH readings. If you use the pH in a Calcium Reactor setting, you only need to calibrate 7.01 and 4.01.
Rinse the probe with RODI water and carefully dry the tip
Place the probe into the 4.01 or 10.01 calibration solution and swirl it around to ensure no air bubbles are trapped inside the probe’s tip.
Tap the “Recalibrate” button on the app and WAIT for 2 MINUTES!
After the 2 minutes have passed and the value has stabilized, press “Accept.”
Upload your changes
Optional – Verify your calibration using the recommended instructions in Step 1.
Rename Input & Change Icon
From the STATUS screen, tap on the Input you wish to modify.
On the popup, tap on the “Gear” icon on the bottom right.
From the Input setup page, tap on the “Pencil” icon on the top left.
Type in the new name you wish
If you wish to change the default icon, please tap on “Change Icon.”
