Ph meter recommendationsnfor blackwater setups?

galeslasher · Aug 27, 2026

Hi all, just looking for some lived in recommendations for a good pH meter that I can use in a blackwater setup. API only goes to 6 which in a highly acidic environment isn't super helpful to a point. As I understand it, most typical pH meters aren't very accurate in water with zero gh, kh, or conductivity. So just wondering what all everyone here has had success with. From what I gather, I'll be spending quite a bit on this little guy, so I wanna make sure it's a reliable one!

I only request NO HANNA, not because I don't think they're worth the money, but because of how involved their entire process seems to be and it strikes me as a bit of a headache. This and having super limited testing material that I'd have to buy over and over, I check pH a LOT and will be doing so even more while I experiment in this empty tank, so the idea of a meter that has only around 40 reagents and not at all cheap to get more really isn't appealing to me, especially when I know there's other options.

No hate to the Hanna fam, it's just a little too big brained for me I suppose lol. But open to any other suggestions!

gwand · Aug 27, 2026

All pH meters have to be calibrated frequently requiring at least one low pH and one high pH solution. For my blackwater tanks I use Ceomor test strips with a pH range of 1-14. It is very accurate.

TwoTankAmin · Aug 27, 2026

I ran a continuous monitor on my Altum tank with black water. It gave choices for the settings. I could choose conductivity or either one of TDS conversions, Temp. in F or C. and pH. I had to calibrate every couple of months, the system told me when I needed to recalibrate. What I used was the Blue Lab Guardian monitor. I started with the pens but they were all awful. Also the fist monitor I got was awful and I switched to the Guardian.

I got my unit before they offered the Wi Fi version. Today you might find this discontinued model NIB on Ebay. I would not buy the current WI Fi version because it cost more to have the feature than my older unit did. Since I do not use a smart phone I hate having to pay for Wi Fi functionality I cannot use.

However, I found the product decent. I assume it is as good with the Wi Fi. Today you must buy it with the Wi Fi and one can turn it off. I sold my altums a few years ago and my monitor has been in the shelf since, I have a brand new pH probe for it I never had to connect. Between inflation and the Built in Wi Fi the unit costs a heck of a lot more than I paid. You can find the polder style unit on Ebay most are used but there are a few new ones being offered.

My problem is I see no reason for the Wi Fi. All the unit does is to give one readings. If the readings show things are not right, you have to be there to fix things. You cannot use the Wi Fi for anything more than to see your readings when away from where the tank is and you have to return there to correct anything.

galeslasher · Aug 27, 2026

gwand said:
All pH meters have to be calibrated frequently requiring at least one low pH and one high pH solution. For my blackwater tanks I use Ceomor test strips with a pH range of 1-14. It is very accurate.

Ty for the recommendation! Just to clarify since I'm unfamiliar with this brand, you're referring to the urinalysis ones yeah?

galeslasher · Aug 27, 2026

TwoTankAmin said:
I ran a continuous monitor on my Altum tank with black water. It gave choices for the settings. I could choose conductivity or either one of TDS conversions, Temp. in F or C. and pH. I had to calibrate every couple of months, the system told me when I needed to recalibrate. What I used was the Blue Lab Guardian monitor. I started with the pens but they were all awful. Also the fist monitor I got was awful and I switched to the Guardian.

I got my unit before they offered the Wi Fi version. Today you might find this discontinued model NIB on Ebay. I would not buy the current WI Fi version because it cost more to have the feature than my older unit did. Since I do not use a smart phone I hate having to pay for Wi Fi functionality I cannot use.

However, I found the product decent. I assume it is as good with the Wi Fi. Today you must buy it with the Wi Fi and one can turn it off. I sold my altums a few years ago and my monitor has been in the shelf since, I have a brand new pH probe for it I never had to connect. Between inflation and the Built in Wi Fi the unit costs a heck of a lot more than I paid. You can find the polder style unit on Ebay most are used but there are a few new ones being offered.

My problem is I see no reason for the Wi Fi. All the unit does is to give one readings. If the readings show things are not right, you have to be there to fix things. You cannot use the Wi Fi for anything more than to see your readings when away from where the tank is and you have to return there to correct anything.

Oh what a shame! Seems like it would be a great product to have if not for that insane price hike. I was willing to part with around $250 for a good reliable meter, I don't mind calibrating so long as it comes with some sort of solution mix to do so with. But golly goodness that price is absolutely insane, and I'm not too sure how I feel about parting with $150 on a used one with no guarantee it'll actually work and no provided solution to calibrate with.

I can see /some/ (and I mean a single grain of sand worth) value in having wifi capabilities if you're keeping insanely delicate species and have the wherewithal to dash home from work if something suddenly begins to go wrong. But otherwise I'm right there with you, the Wi-Fi stuff has always struck me as such a useless add-on which really rubs me the wrong way when they had a perfectly good product without it before that they decide to discontinue instead. Then it just comes off as money grubbing. many many brands do this.

It definitely gets to a point, but that's why I asked just to see what's out there. If it winds up I'm gonna be paying Apera prices no matter what then I might just decided to default to the Apera. was ultimately just hoping I could dodge that $260 price tag, but if not, eh, not the end of the world either. Thanks for bringing the older model to my attention though, I'll definitely keep an eye on eBay to see if any more promising listings show up for it!