Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Oxygen Meter Options -Experience

I am planning on purchasing an Oxygen Meter and would appreciate any input as to brands and features that would be beneficial. My research has led me to consider theYSI Pro20i. Would the 3 meter probe cable be OK for my 12’ deep aerated pond? Is there any experience in use of this Meter or other Oxygen meters from the Pond Boss forum members? Are there other meters that are fairly easy to operate and maintain? I will primarily use this Meter for my personal use for my 9ac pond and my 21/2 ac pond.

Your response will be appreciated.

Al Allison
Chester, SC

While the YSI meter is without a doubt,one of the best ones on the market, I have found that for my purposes, the much less expensive Extech DO210 works just fine. It runs about $250 and is plenty accurate for me to keep tabs on my pond.

JKS - I see that the ExTech offers membrane replacements and an electrolyte refills. Can you estimate the yearly costs of these items...or, are they consumables only if damaged?

It also talks about entering a Salinity adjustment. I assume pond water is low in salt...do you test for that parameter or use an assumption?

Al - did you purchase a meter yet?

QA, It comes with 2 extra membrane replacements and a fairly large bottle of electrolyte. I am still using the original membrane, but I did have to recently refill it with the electrolyte. I still have plenty. As for the salinity adjustment, I don't ever remember reading about that or seeing any documentation about it. Maybe another model possibly? Mine has a self calibration mode that I usually run if its been more than a week or two since I have used it. It always comes back with 20.8-20.9 O2 in the air so it seems to be consistently accurate in that regard, anyway.

Ok, I reread the manual and I see what you are talking about now. I have always just used the default setting but will research more now that you have me thinking about it! Like you said though, I can't imagine the salinity being very high or enough to require an adjustment. I guess that's why I didn't remember the setting.

Thanks for the reply’s. I did purchase a YSI ProSolo DO/T which is an optical unit. Bill Cody and Matt Morgan both provided some input on YSI and my research brought me to this conclusion. The Pro Solo is YSI ‘s latest handheld DO Meter and claims to be relatively easy to operate with quick response. I believe this to de a good decision but the cost was significant- but the benefit should help me to monitor my water quality and avoid a fish kill.
Thanks,
Al Allison