LF: pH Controller Info

[tcamos]

I'm looking for a controller for pH. I don't really need it to do anything else really just turn on a couple of dosing pumps when the pH drops. My lights have their own controller and my Vortech obviously has it's own. So I don't need light control or wave control. Just pH.

I think...anyway...I want to start dosing 2 part and that seems the best way to do it.

What's a good brand or controller to do just this?

I've checked out BRS but haven't come to any conclusion as to which might be best.

The Reef Keeper models look nice and then there's this http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/699/

Any thoughts or experiences?

 

[m-six hundred]

I think Francis might have a Milwaukee controller on CL. I would not recommend dosing 2 part like that. Why do you think that is they best way?

 

[SKAREEF]

I have a PH controller for sale( one from Francis) 60$ needs a probe, but as m-six hundred stated, it is not a recommended practice for two-part. Can I ask why for your size of tank you like two part and not a calc reactor. Just curious.

 

[tcamos]

Why do you think that is they best way?

Combination of a conversation with Carlos and videos on BRStv.

However, I'm open to suggestions.

Here's the history...all my tanks up to this point have been smaller. The largest was 50 gallons. So, even when they were SPS heavy water changes was plenty to keep them going. This always seemed to work great to keep everything just where I wanted it. So I've not had to dose my tanks with the exception of the occasional liquid calcium (if I missed a water change) or Coralvite for my zoos (they love it).

Based on this thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2304406 I figure Kalk isn't the way to go.

Now, with the 210 and 40 gallons of sump with the heaviest SPS load I've had I need to do something to dose and maintain a balanced pH. Most of my SPS grow just fine to be honest but the tank doesn't seem to like acropora and it's behaving like alk is the issue.

I went and had a nice conversation with Carlos and came away feeling 2 part was the right way to go for my needs to keep things where I want them once I get it there.

This is the one part of my reef knowledge where I am still learning. I've always been the type that won't add things to my reef if it doesn't need it and I try to keep it as simple as possible. This has worked great for me over the years but having a larger tank is a different beast.

 

[Kataro]

I think 2 part would be a bit more difficult versus calcium reactor.

In my previous SPS dominated, I just let it run by itself and refilling the media every once in a while. With 2 parts, you will have to frequently refill it.

 

[frogg21]

I have a milwaukee pH for sale for 60$ too. I have a 180 gal and I'm glad I have the reactor going vs. two part even though its just frags right now. I augment the reactor with kalk in the topoff. If you do go two part get a good set it and forget it type peristaltic dosing pump setup, otherwise its pretty fickle and requiring of attn. my 2 cents!

 

[tcamos]

Don't calcium reactors require the Co2? I'm not keep on storing that as there's no room in my stand for it at all.

 

[m-six hundred]

I would not worry about PH as much as you should ALK. I use a bubble magnus dosing pump for ALK, CAL and MAG. It doses alk 24 times a day which helps bump the PH up all day long. What is your PH? unless you falling below 7.8 at night i would not worry. If you think you have a PH problem now I would stay away from a Calcium reactor.

 

[tcamos]

I have the two part. What I'm hoping for is to discover the most convenient way to administer it. Preferably automatically.

 

[m-six hundred]

Dosing pumps, either something from BRS or Bubble Magnus.

 

[tcamos]

Right, but is there a way to determine dose automatically? I'm hoping to find a solution other than just me testing and some pumps on a timer.

I said pH controller but perhaps controlling alk is actually what I mean?

 

[m-six hundred]

No!

 

[tcamos]

No to both parts?

I could just leave things as they are and be happy. All this for acropora? Everything else is doing just great with only water changes. {{shrugs}}.

But I suppose I should give it a go...

 

[evolved]

You can't avoid testing when dosing anything. Doing such will lead to disaster eventually.

Once you get the daily consumption and dosing amount figured out, then dosing 2 part is easy with weekly testing recommended. You shouldn't even consider a dosing pump until you have the daily consumption figured out. The only thing a pH controller can help with in the automation is providing a fail-safe mechanism to cut power to the doser should an overdose somehow occur (and a subsequent pH spike).

BRS has a nice set of instructions on the basic process; scroll down to the "Dosing 2 part" section:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/instructions/article/Instructions-for-Bulk-Packaged-Materials

 

[m-six hundred]

That was a friendly no by the way.

To start out I tested twice daily until I found my target number. 38 mil of alk is what i need daily to maintain my alk level. Then I started testing every three days to make sure it was on track. Now I test once a week.

the Hannah ALK checker is the best test kit I have every purchased. It will pin point exactly how much you dropped and how much you have raised it per dose. It takes all the guessing out of it. API Alk kit is the worst. I have found 2 test kits one after another be off a over a point.

 

[tcamos]

You can't avoid testing when dosing anything. Doing such will lead to disaster eventually.

I know...I meant testing by hand. I want something to test for me automatically so I don't have to mess with test kits all the time.

That was a friendly no by the way.

I figured. I just wasn't sure which part of my two part post it was saying no to.

I have the hanna phosphate checker and love it. As mentioned above I just want something that does it for me with a probe...

And if you are detecting laziness you have detected right.

I'm so used to water changes doing it all for me but with 250 gallons total volume it takes a much larger change to maintain the needs of the tank.

 

[evolved]

As mentioned above I just want something that does it for me with a probe...

Does not (and cannot) exist. Alkalinity is not a measure of one "thing"; it can't be measured with a probe.

 

[tcamos]

Then how does the above mentioned Hannah ALK checker work? I want something that does what it does...just without me having to stand there and watch it. That seems possible...if the Hannah can do it...

 

[evolved]

By virtue of the reagent you must add.

 

[tcamos]

Well...that's boring! I hate testing and was hoping to find an automated solution. In reading there are automated solutions for alk but they are lab products and not for consumers. Though I did find a thread on here last night from 2008 that said an aquarium version was in the works that would serve the same purpose. But since that was several years ago and it seems it hasn't been forthcoming I wonder if that was just a pipe dream? http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1407761

I guess I could just go ahead and do large water changes like with my smaller tanks but man when it's on a 210 it's just a lot of water!

Back to 2 part...the best way to dose is? Test then dose?