Membrane-free optical DO measurement built for commercial cultivation environments.
Apera Instruments DO850 (AI480) is a portable optical dissolved oxygen meter that delivers stable, accurate DO readings — 0 to 20.00 mg/L — without membranes, electrolytes, or frequent calibration. The complete kit includes the DO850 meter, a 10 ft. luminescent optical probe, calibration/storage cap, and rugged carrying case.
The Apera DO850 (SKU AI480) is a field-ready portable dissolved oxygen meter built around luminescent optical sensor technology. Unlike traditional polarographic or galvanic probes, the optical sensor measures DO without consuming oxygen during the process — which means readings are completely independent of sample flow rate. Whether your reservoir is still or actively recirculating, you get the same measurement stability.
The kit ships complete: DO850 meter body, DO803 10 ft. optical probe with built-in temperature sensor, calibration/storage cap, and a rugged carry case. Everything you need is in the case — no separate reagents, no membrane replacement kits to stock alongside it. The meter runs on 3 AA batteries and is IP67 rated for waterproof and dustproof operation.
Dissolved oxygen monitoring is a core data point for any commercial cannabis or hemp operator running hydroponic or water-culture systems. Low DO in nutrient reservoirs directly impacts root zone health, plant uptake, and microbial load. The AI480 is sized and priced for cultivation teams that need a reliable handheld tool for routine reservoir checks, recirculating system audits, and new system commissioning — without the upkeep overhead of a polarographic sensor.
It's equally relevant for operations running DWC, RDWC, NFT, or aeroponics, as well as anyone monitoring DO in water storage tanks, mixing tanks, or post-treatment water. The 10 ft. probe cable gives enough reach to dip into most commercial reservoir configurations without repositioning the meter body.
The luminescent cap at the heart of the DO803 probe is rated for over 8,000 hours of service life — significantly longer than traditional electrochemical caps — and is coated with a light-shielding layer that resists interference from ambient light and chemical exposure in the grow environment. No warm-up period is required, and calibration is a two-point process (saturation point and zero oxygen) that does not need to be performed before every use.
Compensation is automatic for both temperature (32–122°F / 0–50°C range) and barometric pressure (60–120 kPa), with manual salinity compensation available across 0–45 ppt. The large backlit LCD simultaneously displays DO and temperature. Users can toggle the DO readout between mg/L (ppm) and percent saturation with a single key press. Advanced digital processing supports a stable-reading auto-lock display mode. The instrument is RoHS and CE certified.
For a commercial facility spec, the AI480 positions as a grab-and-go audit tool rather than a continuous inline monitor. It gives cultivation staff a fast, trustworthy DO reading at any point in the water system — reservoir, feed line sample, runoff collection — without tying up a permanent sensor. Response time is under 30 seconds to 90% of final reading at 25°C, which keeps walkthroughs efficient.
The carry case makes the kit easy to stage in a head house or propagation room and move between zones. Replacement parts are modular: the DO803 probe body carries a 2-year warranty separately from the DO8032 sensor cap (1-year), so you're not replacing the full probe assembly when only the cap needs service. The meter body itself carries a 3-year manufacturer warranty. For operations sourcing multiple meters across facilities, HSC can coordinate quantity pricing — request a quote for details.
| Model | DO850 |
| SKU | AI480 |
| DO Measuring Range | 0–20.00 mg/L (ppm); 0–200% saturation |
| DO Resolution | 0.01 / 0.1 mg/L (ppm); 0.1% / 1% |
| DO Accuracy | ±2% of reading or ±0.2 mg/L, whichever is greater |
| Response Time | ≤30 seconds (90% response @ 25°C) |
| Calibration Points | Saturation point & zero oxygen (2-point) |
| Temperature Compensation | Automatic, 32–122°F (0–50°C) |
| Barometric Pressure Compensation | Automatic, 60–120 kPa |
| Salinity Compensation | Manual, 0–45 ppt |
| Probe Cable Length | 10 ft. (3 m) |
| Ingress Protection | IP67 waterproof and dustproof |
No. The DO803 optical probe uses luminescent sensor technology — there is no membrane and no electrolyte solution required. Routine maintenance is minimal: keep the sensor cap surface free from mechanical abrasion and calibrate periodically using the included calibration/storage cap.
No. Because the optical probe does not consume oxygen during measurement, it has no dependence on sample flow rate. It reads accurately in still reservoirs, slow-moving feed lines, or fast-recirculating systems equally well.
Unlike polarographic probes that need calibration before every use, the DO850's optical sensor does not require pre-measurement calibration. Calibrate periodically or whenever you want to confirm measurement accuracy. The two-point calibration (saturated air and zero oxygen) is performed using the included calibration cap.
Yes. The display can be switched between mg/L (ppm) and percent saturation (%) with a single key press. Both values are supported across the full 0–20.00 mg/L / 0–200% measuring range.
The DO8032 sensor cap is a separate replaceable component with a 1-year manufacturer warranty. The DO803 probe body (excluding the cap) carries a 2-year warranty. This modular design means you replace only the cap when it reaches end of service life — not the full probe assembly. Contact HSC for replacement cap pricing and availability.
Get operator-direct pricing and availability. We supply licensed commercial cultivators nationwide.
Request a Quote