Alternative pH calibration solutions? Any DIY recipes?

[John]

I ordered a Hannah digital pH meter off ebay and the guy is selling calibration
solutions which I can save on shipping if I get at the same time. The prices
are:
HI7007M 230ml bottle of 7.01 pH calibration solution: $12.00
HI7010M 230ml bottle of 10.01 pH calibration solution: $12.00

I'm a cheap ******* (yea I know, wrong hobby to be in) so $24 seems high. I'm
wondering if I can use substances with a known pH to calibrate with, for
example distilled water is 7.0. Or if there is a way to mix my own.

TIA
~John

[CheezWiz]

distilled water will register different depending on dissolved gasses and
aeration.
You need to use calibration fluids...

IMO
"John" > wrote in message
...
> I ordered a Hannah digital pH meter off ebay and the guy is selling
calibration
> solutions which I can save on shipping if I get at the same time. The
prices
> are:
> HI7007M 230ml bottle of 7.01 pH calibration solution: $12.00
> HI7010M 230ml bottle of 10.01 pH calibration solution: $12.00
>
> I'm a cheap ******* (yea I know, wrong hobby to be in) so $24 seems high.
I'm
> wondering if I can use substances with a known pH to calibrate with, for
> example distilled water is 7.0. Or if there is a way to mix my own.
>
> TIA
> ~John

[John]

Not to be lazy (I have been searching google/froogle) but is $12 per 230ml
bottle a good price? I found something on ebay for 9.49 for 250ml, but after
shipping I wouldnt be saving anything. What do they typically sell for at the
LFS?
~John

[CheezWiz]

I have never seen it at a LFS....
$12 seems average for the solution. and that much will last a long time. I
only calibrate every couple of months.


"John" > wrote in message
...
> Not to be lazy (I have been searching google/froogle) but is $12 per 230ml
> bottle a good price? I found something on ebay for 9.49 for 250ml, but
after
> shipping I wouldnt be saving anything. What do they typically sell for at
the
> LFS?
> ~John

All calibration solutions are not created equal.One brand can be off .5 from
another brand.The one time use ones that come in foil packets are the most
accurate that I have found.
Skipp

[Boomer]

"All calibration solutions are not created equal.One brand can be off .5 from
another brand"

I would suspect you are doing something wrong. I have been calibrating meters for 30
years and I have never seen this, unless it is a really old solution or it has been
contaminated, buy the user.

Boomer

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> wrote in message ...
: All calibration solutions are not created equal.One brand can be off .5 from
: another brand.The one time use ones that come in foil packets are the most
: accurate that I have found.
: Skipp
:
:

[Boomer]

You guys may want to read this;

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2004/chem.htm

--
Boomer

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[John]

>http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2004/chem.htm

Thanks, great link.
~John