Swiss LabSen 833 HF electrode — built for aggressive low-pH and hydrofluoric acid-containing solutions.
The Apera PH700-HF (AI5013) is a benchtop lab pH meter purpose-built for strong acidic solutions in the 0–2 pH range and solutions containing HF (hydrofluoric) acid up to 2000 ppm. It ships as a complete kit with the Swiss-manufactured LabSen 833 HF-membrane electrode, an electrode holder, and three premixed calibration buffer solutions.
The Apera PH700-HF is a dedicated benchtop pH meter built around the LabSen 833 combination pH/temperature electrode — a Swiss-engineered probe fitted with a specialized HF-resistant glass membrane. Where standard glass electrodes degrade rapidly in strong acidic or fluoride-containing media, the LabSen 833's proprietary HF membrane is rated for use in solutions containing up to 2000 ppm hydrofluoric acid and is capable of approximately 1000 individual HF measurements under rated conditions (concentration ≤ 0.1 mol/L, ≤ 1 minute contact per measurement).
The meter itself is the PH700 platform — a compact, microprocessor-based benchtop unit with an LCD readout, a smiley-face stability indicator that confirms when a reading is settled and ready to record, and rear-panel BNC/RCA/TEMP connectors sealed with silicone caps for splash protection. Resolution is 0.01 pH; accuracy is ±0.01 pH. The kit SKU is AI5013.
This meter is specified for any commercial cultivation or processing operation that works with highly concentrated acid solutions — environments where a general-purpose pH probe would fail within a short period of use. In cannabis and hemp operations, that typically means in-house analytical or quality-control labs processing acid-digested plant or water samples, concentrated acid cleaning solutions, or specialty nutrient formulations that drop below pH 2. It's also appropriate for extraction or post-processing facilities where HF-containing etching or cleaning agents are used as part of equipment maintenance protocols.
For grow operations working within normal nutrient solution pH ranges (5.5–6.5), a standard PH700 variant is the better fit. The PH700-HF is the right tool when your process genuinely demands measurement below pH 2 or involves HF media — and using the correct probe for those conditions is what keeps your data reliable and your electrode alive.
The LabSen 833 electrode's HF glass membrane provides corrosion resistance that standard borosilicate glass cannot match. Apera's proprietary blue gel inner reference solution does not flow and will not produce air bubbles, which eliminates heat convection artifacts and allows the electrode to function correctly even when tilted. A silver ion trap reference system prevents sulfide and protein contamination of the junction — relevant in nutrient-dense sample matrices.
Calibration is 1–3 point automatic, supporting pH 1.68, 7.00, and 10.01 buffers (all three included in the kit, 50 mL each). After each calibration sequence, the meter displays electrode slope and condition status so you know immediately if the probe needs service before you start a measurement run. Max/Min reading mode lets you track the peak and floor values across a measurement session without manual logging. Fifty data sets can be stored onboard. The PH700 body carries an IP54 rating — sealed against dust ingress and incidental liquid splashes, with connector ports protected by silicone caps.
For operations building out or upgrading an in-house QC lab, the AI5013 kit provides everything needed to go from unboxing to calibrated measurement: meter, LabSen 833 electrode, multi-electrode holder (accommodates up to two probes), and calibration buffers. No additional consumables are required to begin.
Electrode service life is rated at 12–24 months under normal use. For the HF membrane specifically, service life depends on HF concentration and contact duration — keeping measurements to under 1 minute per reading at concentrations below 0.1 mol/L maximizes longevity. Apera warrants the meter body for two years and the electrode for six months from delivery. Replacement LabSen 833 electrodes are available separately through HSC when the probe reaches end of life. Request a quote below to confirm lead time and current availability.
| SKU | AI5013 |
| Model | PH700-HF |
| Electrode | Apera LabSen 833 pH/Temp. (Swiss HF glass membrane) |
| pH Measuring Range | 0–14.00 pH (optimized for 0–2 pH strong acid / HF use) |
| pH Accuracy | ±0.01 pH |
| pH Resolution | 0.1 / 0.01 pH (selectable) |
| HF Concentration Limit | < 2000 ppm (< 0.1 mol/L for rated electrode life) |
| Temperature Compensation | Automatic (ATC), 0–100°C |
| Calibration | 1–3 point auto, buffers pH 1.68 / 7.00 / 10.01 |
| Data Storage | 50 sets onboard |
| Enclosure Rating | IP54 (spill-proof, dust-proof) |
| Electrode Temp. Sensor | 30 kΩ NTC thermistor |
Standard borosilicate glass membranes dissolve rapidly in highly acidic or fluoride-rich environments, causing drift, slow response, and premature probe failure. The LabSen 833 uses a proprietary HF-resistant glass formulation manufactured in Switzerland that can withstand repeated contact with HF acid solutions and strong acid matrices where standard probes would be destroyed within a handful of measurements.
The AI5013 kit is rated for solutions containing up to 2000 ppm HF. For concentration reference, Apera's electrode documentation specifies that measurements should be kept to under 1 minute per reading at concentrations at or below 0.1 mol/L (roughly 0.2% wt) to preserve membrane life. HF solutions above 0.5 mol/L are not recommended for this electrode as they will accelerate membrane degradation.
The AI5013 kit ships with three premixed calibration buffer solutions — pH 1.68, 7.00, and 10.01 — 50 mL each. These are the correct buffers for the PH700-HF's calibration routine. No additional buffers are required to commission the meter out of the box.
After each calibration, the PH700-HF displays electrode slope and condition status on the LCD. A degraded slope reading (significantly below the ideal ~59.16 mV/pH) is the primary indicator that the LabSen 833 is aging out. Slow response time and increased drift during stable-sample measurements are secondary indicators. Apera rates typical electrode service life at 12–24 months; actual life in HF service depends on concentration and contact frequency. Replacement LabSen 833 electrodes are available through HSC.
It can measure in that range, but it is over-specified for standard nutrient solution work (typically pH 5.5–6.8) and the HF electrode is better preserved for the demanding acidic or HF-containing samples it was designed for. For day-to-day reservoir, fertigation, or runoff monitoring, a standard PH700 variant or a portable Apera pH pen is a more appropriate and cost-effective choice. The AI5013 is the right tool when your process specifically involves strong acid or HF-containing media.
Get operator-direct pricing and availability. We supply licensed commercial cultivators nationwide.
Request a Quote