Live Stoner Chat Will Distilled/RO Water have Long Term Impact on BlueLab PH Pen?

[Twigglius]

I grow in soil and use distilled water, I have a BlueLab PH Pen and in all the documentation I have ever seen, about PH pens in general, it states pretty clearly keep away from distilled/RO water.

Is this warning really meant for long term storage, soaking, and hydrating? Or will I see the accuracy diminish over time just from having it in distilled water long enough to get PH readings?


Would love to hear anyones experiences with this!

 

[namvet25]

Distiled water should have no ill affect on your PH pen.

 

[Muddy]

I've never heard that before. Usually one of the problems is mineral build up on the glass bulbs. With RO or distilled, that should be less of a problem since all the minerals have been removed. As long as you do regular cleaning and calibration, and store it properly, I don't see where RO or distilled water would be a problem. Can you link to the information you read? I'd be curious to see what their reasoning was.

 

[Dr Who]

I have no experience with this device, but most pH meters (or at least their electrodes) should be stored in a saturated KCl solution so as not to dilute the internal solution. This applies fairly generally to conventional glass electrodes, but might not apply to yours.

 

[Twigglius]

I've never heard that before. Usually one of the problems is mineral build up on the glass bulbs. With RO or distilled, that should be less of a problem since all the minerals have been removed. As long as you do regular cleaning and calibration, and store it properly, I don't see where RO or distilled water would be a problem. Can you link to the information you read? I'd be curious to see what their reasoning was.

Hey Muddy,

Here are two links related to this:

Bluelab Instruction Manual - See page 4 under section '3.0 Important - pH pen probe care' there is a blue box outlining things to avoid.


Bluelab FAQ - Why is it difficult to read the pH of pure water?


-Twiggs

 

[Twigglius]

I have no experience with this device, but most pH meters (or at least their electrodes) should be stored in a saturated KCl solution so as not to dilute the internal solution. This applies fairly generally to conventional glass electrodes, but might not apply to yours.

Thanks Dr.Who, I have a feeling this does infact apply to my pH pen. In your experience is the risk more in storing in distilled/RO water or is there even a risk with limited exposure of checking pH of such water?

Thanks!

 

[KsjAuto]

I use a hanna combo meter. And read some where that NOT to store in ro ore distilled water.i use hanna storage solution. And i agree with dr.who about the kcl solution.
It is storing in ro or distilled water, thats the problem.. regular ph check will not be a problem but clean and calibrate on a regular basis
Peace

 

[Dr Who]

Hey Twiggy, just follow the instructions and you'll do fine, they seem to recommend (presumably their own) KCl storage solution (which is presumably saturated). If you can find potassium chloride of reasonable purity, and deionised water, then make your own (just keep adding the salt until you still have undissolved crystals in it).

It doesn't look as though you can replace the internal solution for that meter, which is usually the best way to bring new life to an old pH meter...

and edited to answer your question:

measurement of a highly dilute solution will be no problem at all (as your link correctly states, it is a nightmare to get a good measurement in very dilute solutions). RO or rain water will take some time for the probe (or at least it's reading) to stabilise - this is perfectly normal and 10 or 15 mins might not be uncommon. This will do your meter no harm. Afterwards rinse it (more RO?) but always store it in the saturated KCl.

A note of pedantry, high purity water which is at equilibrium with air will not be pH 7