I just bought an MW101 pH meter, and I plan to get serious about my water treatments. As part of the process, I’m going to have to keep the meter calibrated, of course, and the testing/buffering and storage solutions aren’t cheap. I’m thinking about using a couple of old White Labs vials to hold the testing solutions while I calibrate. Does anybody see an issue with calibrating in such a relatively small container? Also, can I cap the vials and reuse the calibrating solutions again? If so, would you recommend limiting to a specific number of “reuses”?
Storage and calibration are critical to the performance of pH meters. I just posted a summary of my recommendations for storage and calibration on Bru’n Water’s Facebook page. Visit there to pick up some guidance.
Martin, thanks for the input; that helps a lot. So reusing the solutions after calibration is out. Do you have an opinion about a minimum amount of solution to use to calibrate? Specifically, would an old White Labs vial be sufficient, do you think?
His Facebook article says he uses a capful of each to calibrate.
I do like the idea of reusing the white labs vials. I’m betting a block of wood with 2 holes drilled in it or some other apparatus to stand the vials upright would be a great way to calibrate.
As a side note, I have a question about the MW101 meter. everyone talks of drying the probe after rinsing and I believe Martin mentioned blowing on the probe tip to dry it. Just how fragile are the probes, specifically the one that ships with the MW101. I mean can you sling water droplets off of it or are there easily breakable components in that thing? Also I’ve read instructions on some meters that claim you can dry the probe tip with a paper towel? Just wondering.
The probe bulbs are very fragile. You might be able to gently shake excess water off, but I would be worried about accidentally hitting something.
I rinse in DI water then carefully blot with a damp paper towel.