alk off charts!!! help

[michael.lemke]

what channels should I use do set up dosing pumps(drews dosers from BRS) with my pc4 and reefkeeper light. I tried 2 and 3 today and they didn't turn off. I did a test with 1 and 4 and it seemed to work. I thought the relay channels were for high wattage items like mh. I have unplugged the dosers till further notice. I think I dosed calcium and alk for a ling time! (hours in a 40 gallon) my alk is off the charts... so much for stability. I did do a water change and will retest in am but still hoping for advise in the channels. Thanks....!!!!

 

[sedor]

You already posted this in another section. And not to mention, its probably best suited for the equipment forum.

 

[michael.lemke]

maybe this should be in the equipment forum but sense I have an sps dominated tank I thought someone would have some advise in the alk issue as well.

 

[brandonb8]

Are you getting a gravity feed once the pump starts? The only thing I can think of is that you are starting a "siphon" when the pump turns on and its not breaking when it is supposed to kick off. And I see no reason not to post this in any forum. Double posts are common in sections. It has been my experience that the sps forum is not as quick to respond to a question as some others. Try a local reef club forum.

 

[Amoore311]

The dosing pumps from bulk reef supply do not back siphon.

What kind of relays does the Reef Keeper use?


I know on the Apex, you have to use the outlets with the mechanical relays. The power draw on the dosing pumps is not sufficient enough for the Triac outlets to control them. Basically the triac's outlets will stay on when they are not supposed to. Sounds like the exact situation you are going through.

 

[michael.lemke]

No gravity feed, they don't back siphon. I needed to use the mechanical relays rather than the other. So plug 1 or 4 on the pc4 work just fine. Thanks brandon and amoore 311, I was freaking out a little last night so posted in 2 sections as well as in a local forum to get the quickest advise at such a late hour. Still hoping for the best with the alk spike. I have now changed 10% if the water and the params seem to be coming back into the normal range. I'll test again this evening and take more action if needed.