pH Meter Tips

 Top 7 pH Calibration Tips
The Problem:
Find out our Top 7 tips for calibrating a pH meter. Including why you should calibrate a pH meter, storing a pH electrode, and what is temperature compensation.

Measuring the pH of your sushi rice
The Problem:
You own a sushi business and prepare rice to use in your sushi. You have had an inspection by your local Environmental Health Officer and they have stated you need to purchase a pH meter to test the levels once you have finished preparing your rice. So, which meter will best suit your requirements and why do you need to undertake the measurements? 

The difference between Conductivity, TDS and salinity.
The Problem:
When measuring water quality, you may be asked for a conductivity reading, a TDS reading, a Salinity reading, or all three. All three measurements are related and below we will discuss the difference between them.

Trouble with pH meter calibration.
The Problem:
Nick called and was having trouble calibrating his pH meter. He had pH4 and pH7 calibration solutions but was unable to get the pH meter to calibrate. He was worried he may have damaged the probe and thought this may be why it wasn’t calibrating, but he could not remember knocking the probe at all.

Measuring soil pH using a soil/water mix.
The Problem:
Your staff have been using a meter with a spear tip electrode to take soil pH readings directly, you loved how easy they were to use and the speed at which staff were able to take readings. However, you are finding that they don’t take the care required to use this method and it is resulting in breakages and unnecessary costs. So, how can you get around using the direct insertion method whilst still obtaining accurate pH measurements?

The best electrode to use to monitor the pH of cheese and yoghurt to eliminate clogging.
The Problem:
 1. pH electrodes have stopped working after a short period and give erroneous readings.
 2. The electrode appears to have a build-up in it and no amount of cleaning will remove it.
 3. You want an electrode that will give repeatable and accurate results and that won’t become clogged.

The most suitable pH meter for measuring low volume samples of bodily fluids such as saliva and blood.
The Problem:
You wish to measure the pH of your saliva and blood to ascertain the level your body is maintaining. You normally measure your urine, however you want to measure your blood and saliva to see if is consistent as you feel your urine value varies to much throughout the course of the day. You have been using a handheld meter with an electrode or a pen tester with a bulb electrode and find that you cannot get a result with the low volume of blood/saliva you are wanting to measure.

pH and salt monitoring for bore water.
The Problem:
You have access to dam or bore water on your agricultural property, however you are suspicious that the water is not going to be suitable for irrigation or stock use due to too high salt levels or pH. If the water is highly acidic (less than 5.5), acidosis and reduced feed intake may occur. If the pH is too high, intestinal upset, reduced feed conversion efficiency and diarrhea may occur. You could send the water to a laboratory to get tested, but it takes time, and is expensive and the water quality changes over time so the old results might not be useful any more. So how do you know if your water will be suitable for the intended use?