Anyone Have Thoughts About Inline Probe Holders??? (1 Viewer)

[jlanger]

Over the past few months, I have been designing my new sump. One of the last design elements remaining is the placement of the four probes; temperature, pH, ORP and salinity. Initially I was just going to make a simple probe holder and have it attached somewhere in the sump. For the amount of equipment that I already have earmarked in the sump, even the small space requirement for four probes is at a premium. So then I started thinking about using the inline probe holders.

Has anyone used them on their systems?
How did they work for you?

I have a couple of different thoughts about how to implement them on my system.
The first idea was to have the four probes mounted in the return line; above the shut off valve. The probes would be getting continuous water flow during normal tank operation. When the return pump would need to be shut off for any reason, the shut off valve would be closed so that the return pipe would remain filled with water.
The second idea was to have a closed loop in the sump itself. I would have water from one of the sump pumps feed a closed loop that would continuously feed water to the probes. The only problem here is that this idea may take up more room than I have available; unless the loop is outside of the sump.

Do either of these options have any merit?
Do you see any issues that may arise from either of these options?

I'm trying to create options that keep the probes accessible if I need to get to them for any reason. Based on my limited experience with probes (only temperature and pH), I never really had to do anything with them so it didn't matter where they were located. If accessibility isn't a concern, maybe I could place the probes tucked out of the way, set 'em and forget 'em. I'd like my sump to be as "plug-and-play" as possible; it's almost there.

Or... With having everything contained inside the stand, are inline probe holders overkill on a small system?

Any input, comments or discussion will be appreciated.
Thanks!




Also... the BRS website states that their inline probe holders do not work with the Neptune Systems temperature probe. Has anyone found a source for an inline probe holder for that probe?

 

[Riley]

Also... the BRS website states that their inline probe holders do not work with the Neptune Systems temperature probe. Has anyone found a source for an inline probe holder for that probe?

Search for a "cord grip"

You can get them with different size insert grommets and openings, you should be able to find one that the temp probe fits in. Worst case is you might have to step up to a 3/4 npt if the 1/2 ones don't go big enough.

I don't have any experience with inline probe holders, so I can't give you my input, but I'd make sure you'd be able to get the probes back out for calibration without making a huge mess.

I'm picturing a line of tee's to make this happen, either 3/4" x 1/2" or 1" x 1/2" slip x thread reducing tees. I'd make sure you have enough length for the tees coupled together before you nix the probe holders from the sump. I believe the lengths of 3/4" and 1" tees are 3" and 4".

 

[Gary]

Cool idea, take some pictures of your implementation if you ever get it done

 

[zoolan70]

I did a DYI on making them a while back...let me find the thread.

 

[zoolan70]

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/threads/1-4-inch-in-line-ph-or-orp-probe.61875/

As far as the temp probe goes, I bet you could load it from the inside out (passing the BNC connector and all the wire through). That's what I do with standard probe holders that are too narrow to pass the Apex temp probe through from the 'top'.

 

[jlanger]

Search for a "cord grip"

Thanks for the tip. I'll check those out.

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/threads/1-4-inch-in-line-ph-or-orp-probe.61875/

As far as the temp probe goes, I bet you could load it from the inside out (passing the BNC connector and all the wire through). That's what I do with standard probe holders that are too narrow to pass the Apex temp probe through from the 'top'.

Thanks for the link.
I think I'll order a single fitting from BRS and test out the probes with it before I decide which way I want to go. I know it would be overkill, but I like the idea of using the inline probe holders in the sump; even if they're not inline. The conventional probe holders with the set screw always bugged me (look tacky), so the compression fittings would really clean up the look.

 

[Jonty]

I run inline probe holders, there has not been a way to make the temp probe work that I could find I just have it in the sump.

 

[clownnut]

why would you want to run the probes inline? i find i have to clean the probes on 2-3 months schedule, i have sponge growing everywhere. (i do dose kz sponge power)

 

[Jonty]

I don't get any growth on the probes when inline, don't know why but they are spotless all the time.

 

[clownnut]

how flow you put through those that pipe?

 

[Jonty]

1" pipe 500 GPH

 

[jlanger]

why would you want to run the probes inline? i find i have to clean the probes on 2-3 months schedule, i have sponge growing everywhere. (i do dose kz sponge power)

I would think that the probes mounted inline would be in a better environment than mounted in the open water.
Inside the pipe, the water is continually moving with stronger flow and there would be no light available for any photosynthetic plants/animals to facilitate.
My probes that were mounted in the open water would get encrusted with microfauna and need to be cleaned regularly, like you mentioned.

I don't get any growth on the probes when inline, don't know why but they are spotless all the time.

Thanks, Jon. Good to know.
Do you have any pics of the inline probes? I might have one or two from my visits, but I don't remember.