pH controller/ph Probe/Ca Rx

[Roberto CRC]

Hi friend,

I have some general questions since I have problems with my calcium reactor and the results to maintain a stable kh in my tank.

1. What controller do you use for the pH of your reactor?
2. Have they always used the same driver, or have they changed it for another brand, have they seen different quality?
3. How often is it advisable to change the pH probe?
4. How often is it recommendable to calibrate the pH probe?

I appreciate your answers to form a more fundamental criterion and know if I need to change my current pH controller.

 

[ca1ore]

I typically replace a pH probe about every two years and calibrate quarterly. I think a pH controller should just be used for emergencies. I set mine up so that the effluent rate and CO2 bubble rate maintain the correct and stable pH. Essentially the CO2 supply runs continuously. I do 'cycle' the solenoid a few times a day so that it doesn't get stuck, but otherwise the continuous bubble rate maintains my target pH. Solenoid and regulator is approaching 18 years old.

I use an older Milwaukee pH controller with a double junction probe.

 

[Roberto CRC]

I typically replace a pH probe about every two years and calibrate quarterly. I think a pH controller should just be used for emergencies. I set mine up so that the effluent rate and CO2 bubble rate maintain the correct and stable pH. Essentially the CO2 supply runs continuously. I do 'cycle' the solenoid a few times a day so that it doesn't get stuck, but otherwise the continuous bubble rate maintains my target pH. Solenoid and regulator is approaching 18 years old.

I use an older Milwaukee pH controller with a double junction probe.

Thanks for the reply.

The small cycles you mention of the selenoid, how long does it last and how much?

The double junction probe is that of Apex?

 

[ca1ore]

I cycle the solenoid to be off for a minute every six hours.

 

[sghera64]

I use a BRS lab grade (double junction) probe too. I calibrate maybe 2x / year and replace it when the liquid inside looks depleted, discolored and/or the probe take more than 60 seconds to stabilize its reading when calibrating with pH 4 or pH 7 buffer.

I calibrate with pH 4 and 7 buffers.

I also have a Milwaukee controller.

 

[Roberto CRC]

I cycle the solenoid to be off for a minute every six hours.

It's interesting

 

[Roberto CRC]

I use a BRS lab grade (double junction) probe too. I calibrate maybe 2x / year and replace it when the liquid inside looks depleted, discolored and/or the probe take more than 60 seconds to stabilize its reading when calibrating with pH 4 or pH 7 buffer.

I calibrate with pH 4 and 7 buffers.

I also have a Milwaukee controller.

the probes can be of different brand to the controller?

 

[Roberto CRC]

I cycle the solenoid to be off for a minute every six hours.

I know that all the tanks are different. But using it like that, how many drops and how many bubbles per second / minute? what are your normal parameters in the tank using it like this?

 

[sghera64]

the probes can be of different brand to the controller?

Yes. So long as the connection/couplings mate. The BRS probes and the Milwaukee controller both use BNC connections.

Most lab probes use similar electronics (Silver wires and silver chloride solutions). So, most generate a voltage that is proportional to the hydrogen ion concentration. The meter/controller simply converts the voltage to a pH reading. Every pH probe may have a slightly different voltage in pH 7 solution and might have a slightly different change in voltage for each unit increase/decrease in pH. That’s why you calibrate with pH 7 buffer and at least one other pH buffer.

 

[ca1ore]

I've used a whole bunch of different probes over the years and they all worked fine. First the one that originally came with the Milwaukee, then a pinpoint probe, the apex, now the BRS one.

 

[ca1ore]

I know that all the tanks are different. But using it like that, how many drops and how many bubbles per second / minute? what are your normal parameters in the tank using it like this?

Effluent rate is 70 ml/min, bubble rate 120/min to maintain 6.5 inside the reactor. I run a big reactor (a super sized MTC ProCal) and maintain alk of nominally 9 DKH in my tank. I don't measure for Ca. The tricky variable is volume of media. I find that once the reborn gets depleted by about half, my settings aren't undead anymore; so I refill it at that point, rather than letting the media run down further.

 

[Roberto CRC]

Yes. So long as the connection/couplings mate. The BRS probes and the Milwaukee controller both use BNC connections.

Most lab probes use similar electronics (Silver wires and silver chloride solutions). So, most generate a voltage that is proportional to the hydrogen ion concentration. The meter/controller simply converts the voltage to a pH reading. Every pH probe may have a slightly different voltage in pH 7 solution and might have a slightly different change in voltage for each unit increase/decrease in pH. That’s why you calibrate with pH 7 buffer and at least one other pH buffer.

Ok, thanks.

 

[Roberto CRC]

I've used a whole bunch of different probes over the years and they all worked fine. First the one that originally came with the Milwaukee, then a pinpoint probe, the apex, now the BRS one.

All you have used, you connected them in the same controller?

Did you notice any better result with a particular one or do you not notice a difference?

 

[Roberto CRC]

Effluent rate is 70 ml/min, bubble rate 120/min to maintain 6.5 inside the reactor. I run a big reactor (a super sized MTC ProCal) and maintain alk of nominally 9 DKH in my tank. I don't measure for Ca. The tricky variable is volume of media. I find that once the reborn gets depleted by about half, my settings aren't undead anymore; so I refill it at that point, rather than letting the media run down further.

With that drip rate and bubbles the pH inside the reactor always stays at 6.50 in stable form? or do you have gaps?