How to care for Groline pH electrodes

Maintaining and caring for your pH electrodes is the ideal way to extend their lifespan and ensure accurate readings, whether you are using a direct soil tester or a hydroponics pH meter. These pH best practices are a valuable addition to your testing routine, keeping digital meter results precise for repeated testing. Read on to learn more about how to look after Groline electrodes:

Why is best practice important?

Taking the time to maintain your pH electrode is integral to achieving accurate readings every time you take a measurement. Over time, electrodes may become inaccurate if they were not properly stored, calibrated or cleaned. By following best practices, you can improve the longevity of your electrode, saving on costs while getting the accuracy you expect from Hanna’s Groline range of digital gardening and agriculture testers.

Best practices for Groline pH electrodes

Five key practices can help achieve consistent accuracy when testing soil or water with Groline pH testers:

1. Electrode hydration

A dry electrode may have drifting pH values, slower response times and incorrect measurements. If your electrode has run dry, you can effectively revive it by submerging the bulb and junction in a pH storage solution for at least one hour.

2. Electrode storage

Storing an electrode in deionised water is a common mistake that many people make with pH testers. Using DI water causes ions to leach from the glass membrane and the reference electrolyte over time, which ultimately leads to a slow, sluggish response. Storing the pH electrode in a suitable storage solution is the way to resolve this problem, or in pH 4.01 or 7.01 buffer solution if you currently do not have the right storage solution to hand.

3. Electrode submersion

When testing with a pH electrode, it’s important that you pay attention to the minimum and maximum immersion levels on your particular tester or meter. Ensuring you use enough of a sample to meet the minimum helps you to achieve accurate results.

4. Electrode cleaning

Cleaning your electrode with a suitable cleaning solution, such as Groline solution for soil, is integral for continual accuracy in testing. Over time, deposits can form on the electrode with use that may not be visible to your eyes. This coating can cover the sensing glass and affect the results of testing. Cleaning with a sachet solution is quick and easy and ensures your tester is ready for use.

5. Electrode calibration

Calibrating your electrode on a regular schedule can help to ensure long-term accuracy. All pH electrodes require calibration over time, and the frequency will depend on how accurate you need your results to be. For the most precision, daily calibration is recommended. Hanna stocks easy-to-use calibration solutions for all Groline products, making this best practice an easy task.

Buy Groline solutions and pH electrodes today

Hanna stocks a wide range of different pH electrodes for gardening and agriculture in our dedicated Groline range, with all recommended calibration, storage and cleaning solutions available online with free next-day delivery on all orders above £50 for items in stock. Shop the Groline range of pH testers and meters online today.