TPS Instruments

A large chunk of calibration issues are to do with buffers - not from the sensor or the meter itself!

Here are three quick buffer habits that can make your calibrations more consistent:

#𝟭 - 𝗣𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁 - 𝗻𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲-𝗱𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴!
Dipping the probe straight into the buffer bottle slowly contaminates the whole bottle.

Better habit:
• Pour a small amount into a separate container
• Calibrate
• Discard it afterwards

Your buffer stays clean and future calibrations stay trustworthy.

#𝟮 - 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
Buffers are certified at 25°C, but their pH shifts slightly with temperature.

For example:
• pH 10.00 buffer at 20°C ≈ 10.06

It's a small change, but it matters when accuracy counts.

#𝟯 - 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲
Let the probe sit in the buffer for 30–60 seconds before accepting the reading.

If the probe and buffer started at different temperatures, the reading can drift slightly before stabilising.

Here’s something we see surprisingly often in the water quality world…

A perfectly good pH sensor, quietly losing performance because of how it’s stored.

● pH sensors are a bit unusual compared to most instruments. They actually need to stay hydrated to keep the glass membrane and reference system working properly.

● If they dry out, or if they’re stored in distilled water, performance can slowly start to drift. Calibration gets harder. Response slows down. Probe life shortens.

The simple fix is pH storage solution!

It keeps the sensor chemistry balanced and hydrated, which helps maintain stable readings avoids cutting its lifespan.

It’s one of those tiny habits that can make a surprisingly big difference over the lifetime of a sensor.

We’ve put together a quick carousel explaining why this matters, and why you should sometimes defy common sense when it comes to caring for your pH sensor between uses.

PS: if your pH sensor has already dried out and needs rehydrating, we recommend soaking it in pH 4 buffer solution for a few hours, then soaking it overnight in pH storage solution to increase the likelihood of rehydration success.

Some sensors can also be stored short-term in pH buffer solution - always check the manufacturer recommendations for your individual sensor for guidance!

Out on a civil or construction job site, taking a simple water reading sounds like a quick tick-box task until...

➜ the sun’s blazing,
➜ the excavator operator wants an update,
➜ the foreman’s calling your name,
➜ and your pH is dancing around like it’s got somewhere better to be 🫠

Anyone who’s spent time wrangling water samples on construction pads, drainage channels, tailings dams or discharge points knows the deal - these environments are tough.

We’ve pulled together a short info sheet that lays out the common testing challenges we see and how our Aussie-made Ranger equipment can help.

If you spend your days chasing reliable pH, EC, DO, TEMP, or ORP data in places that chew through gear faster than a demo crew on a Friday, this one’s for you!

Have you read the new Gympie Region Water Quality Report Card? 📊💧

The Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee has just released the report card - and TPS is honoured to be one of the key equipment providers supporting this long-term monitoring program.

● Our instruments were used to measure temperature, pH, EC, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity across the region - vital parameters that help scientists, councils, land managers, and communities understand the health of their waterways.

● We’re incredibly proud to play a small part in such an important environmental effort.

● The Gympie region is home to some truly unique ecosystems, and the work of MRCCC and its partners helps ensure they stay healthy for generations to come.

You can view a summary of the findings here:https://mrccc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GRC_Summary_2025.pdf

Why won’t your pH reading settle? 🤔

If you’ve ever stood over a beaker waiting… and waiting… and waiting for those numbers to stop drifting, you’re definitely not alone.

pH sensors are brilliant tools but they’re also honest. When something’s not quite right, they’ll show it. And one of the most common symptoms? Slow stabilisation.

We’ve put together a quick guide on the 10 most common reasons your pH reading might be taking its sweet time.

To explore the full breakdown (with simple explanations and practical fixes), check out the article here 👇
https://tps.com.au/blogs/articles-news/why-is-my-ph-readings-slow-to-stabilise

Happy sampling!