the issue with Alk is that if for whatever reason your SPS stops growing, your Alk value will increase severalfold faster than the cal/mg values, while being one of the most sensitive parameters for SPS health and longevity.
When away for some days (I like to test alk every second day) anything that can slow or accelerate SPS growth (sudden drop or raise in phosphate, a bulb blowing and a drop in light) will be detected by this machine and either automatically corrected or possibly through a development to the arduino be able to notify the owner via email/text (I don't think it's too difficult to connect an arduino wirelessly to a computer, looking at the log of KH tests it seems to have this already)
This will be invaluable for SPS reefs IMO
I'd guess it uses 2 pumps, one for tank water of a constant volume (is this reading WA?) and 0.1N HCL solution (probably the DC value?) then titrate in a chamber with a PH probe, using a third pump to 'stir' the solution, till the endpoint is reached, with this data it'll be compared to the previous reading and probably a change/hour is calculated and compared to the total dosage of alkalinity supplement and an increase/decrease in daily dose could be calculated and implemented as a percentage of total daily volume. If using a balanced additive system this should keep calcium in check too.
I suppose it is possible to subsequently assess the validity of the test by measuring the volume of the titrated water, it should be the sum of volume WA and DC, and would just confirm the calibration of the dosing pump and equipment.
How much of this system can be bought readily? Will it be produced as a single unit or as a DIY pack, and most importantly do you have a timeline for when? What is the maintenance required n the machine itself in it's current iteration? sorry for the questions I've not been so excited for a product for a while!
