Ohio Reef

Reef Discussion => Equipment => Topic started by: SweetReefOH on January 24, 2019, 20:54:18

Title: Sterilizing Apex probes
Post by: SweetReefOH on January 24, 2019, 20:54:18

I currently have my Apex probes in the fish holding tank. I want to sterilize the probes before I move them back to the 75. Can I use bleach in saltwater to soak the probes for a while? I just don’t want to damage anything in/on the probe. Suggestions appreciated.

Title: Re: Sterilizing Apex probes
Post by: dbjonesjr on January 26, 2019, 11:03:37

Isopropyl alcohol might work better but I’m no expert. Kills pretty much everything in under a minute.

Title: Re: Sterilizing Apex probes
Post by: SweetReefOH on January 26, 2019, 15:29:47

I’ve wondered about alcohol. Just worried about damaging the probes.

Title: Re: Sterilizing Apex probes
Post by: dbjonesjr on January 26, 2019, 20:17:37

It will probably dehydrate at least the pH probe. But most of those probes can be rehydrated with solution. Not sure there is any good way to sterilize them really.

Title: Re: Sterilizing Apex probes
Post by: SweetReefOH on January 26, 2019, 20:41:14

Quote from: dbjonesjr on January 26, 2019, 20:17:37

It will probably dehydrate at least the pH probe. But most of those probes can be rehydrated with solution. Not sure there is any good way to sterilize them really.

That’s what I was thinking. I’m trying to sterilize anything and everything that was involved with the old system. I ended up doing a 1/4 cup bleach to a gallon of RODI. Soaked the probes for 2 minutes. Transferred them to fresh RODI with Prime and rinsed. Then put them in the tank. So far, the probes seem to be reading ok. Just hope that was enough to sterilize.

Title: Re: Sterilizing Apex probes
Post by: dbjonesjr on January 27, 2019, 09:24:09

Should have killed anything I wouldn’t think twice about that.

Title: Re: Sterilizing Apex probes
Post by: SweetReefOH on January 27, 2019, 12:57:02

I hope so. Thanks for your input!