Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

what DO meter do you have?
what did it cost?
how long has the probe lasted?

I'm looking at buying a Milwaukee MW600 for around AUD$260 anyone have any experience with this meter?

I have Milwaukee MW600, paid US$170 +US$35 P&H for it ex-USA.

I cannot really comment on AP as I brought it for work purposes and don't use it that often.
Use my EC and pH lot more often and thought it would be handy to have access to DO for some jobs.

Because of work case if in doubt I use new parts - but as yet I am still on the original parts
(comes with 6 filter caps). There is also a small bottle of electrolyte solution and I am still on my original.

In terms of quality Milwaukee are middle of the road, better than the chinese etc ones but not as good as the scientific ones. Like most DO sensors it is a bit fiddly and you have to keep on top of the storage and setup etc of the probe.

Main issue with DO over EC and pH is you cannot get calibration solutions (apart from zero calibration).
So you sort of have to take a chance. But it is basically fine and values are comparable to higher end meters/probes.

to be honest I fell over when I got it for US$200. Most DO are expensive and there is no such thing as a good cheap DO probe. Milwaukee are like Hanna - reasonable mid-range brand.

I have this one:
http://americanmarineusa.com/products/p ... en-monitor

Bought it around 6 yrs ago when the dollar was on par with the $US.
Have had no issues with it at all, I replaced the membrane cap a few years ago but you get a spare one with it when you buy it.

shame the aud isn't that good compared to the us. Still seems cheaper to import then buy local though.

Consumable wise are the caps and electrolyte the only thing that need replacing? with good care how long do you think the probe itself last?

Troutman would be better to ask on consumables as he would test frequently I suspect.
Plus presume he is using for his AqC/hatchery systems. The probes and setups don't vary a lot.

If looked after the probe itself should go for a couple years.
There are some maintenance and care things in its manual to help extend life.

yep the low A$ makes things a bit more expensive these days.
Like Troutman I got mine when exchange rate was much more favourable - pretty much why I grabbed one.

[edit ] >> Consumable wise are the caps and electrolyte the only thing that need replacing?

sorry - yes. Not sure how you would go with a third party electrolyte. Probably OK for AP.
You can buy membrane caps in multi-packs.

[edit] you got to love the manuals etc when they say "The Membrane Cap at the end of the probe should be changed when necessary to ensure optimum performance." But basically electrolyte reacts with the oxygen so the rate of reaction => electrolyte used -> how much you use/replace.

actually that brand of Troutmans has some pretty good bits and pieces, next time the $A......

the MW600 manual is here .... http://www.milwaukeeinstruments.com/pdf/MW600.pdf

example of consumables... http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/milwa ... /mw600.htm


from.... http://www.milwaukeetesters.com/faq.html

How often should I replace my membranes..?
Recommended service time is 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the application and how often you are using the instrument.

I reckon you would get a month, probably more if careful - but it will still add up over a year
(for my work I work on one use per project as I indicate in previous post - but that is the way of business use)