Ph Controllers - Calcium Reactors

[lhoy]

Questions for those running Calcium Reactors:

1.) Do you use a controller?
2.) If so, which one? (in particular - what about the Pinpoint PH controller)
3.) Thoughts on using one?
4.) I have an AC JR. but from reading don't think I can use it to control the reactor even though it says it can serve as a controller. Maybe I just haven't figured out how to set it up.

Thanks reef nuts for help!!

Lee

[rocketeer]

I use a Pinpoint controller on my Korallin reactor. My original idea was to use the probe in the tank water but I later moved the probe to measure the effluent. If my drip line gets clogged, the controller shuts off the CO2 before I melt my reactor media. It's set to turn off at 6.5.

Does anybody else have any comments about that? Am I doing it right?

Jack

[Fish4life]

Lee- I have always used the sm122 by milwaukee (never could spell) for my reactors. Its dependable and aforedable, two things i look for when using equipment. Calibrate the probe every 3 months, replace the probe when applicable. Its straight forward.

Jack, not sure what calcium your using or your ca demand but 6.5 may be too high of a p.H. I run my p.H. around 6.2 and am using aquamedic media (essentially, ARM media). If your monitoring your parameters, than disregard the aformentioned.

Hope this info helps.

cheers,

kurt

[matt]

Lee;
No, I don't use one, but I think they're a neat idea. Definitely use it to control effluent ph, not tank ph. A cheaper alternative is to get a dwyer flowmeter (RMA151 I think) which is a very precise and stable way of controlling the CO2 flow, then get a GOOD pinch valve to accurately control the effluent drip rate. The ph controller/solenoid arrangement is really only useful to prevent problems caused by the CO2 and/or drip rate fluctuating, which is a rampant problem with most hobby-quality (lousy, that is) CO2 regulators and the cheap airline valves often used to control drip rate.

I admit, I have a "just okay" regulator and the crappy airline valve, and I'm periodically fiddling with my reactor and using a hand held ph meter to check effluent ph. One of these days I'll straighten up and fly right and get the flowmeter. I used one on a previous reactor and it worked GREAT.