Calcium Reactor Dialin Question

[Reefer1978]

Morning guys. I have a question on dialing in my reactor. I've adjusted it to where I want it, but I am getting very strange Ph readings from the probe inside the reactor (screenshot).

Some history. I've setup a reactor with the following Apex program, and there was a bit of an error in there, so the reactor was turning on at Ph > 6.7 and turning off right when it hit 6.69. I removed the "Set Off" statement to correct that, and now the solenoid opens for longer duration, getting the reactor to 6.6. The strange part is that at times, Ph keeps on going down, to 6.43 last night, I don't want the reactor to melt down on me. Any ideas what could have caused it?

 

[Reefer1978]

Apex Program:

Fallback OFF
If pH2 > 6.70 Then ON
If pH2 < 6.60 Then OFF
If pH < 7.78 Then OFF
Defer 001:00 Then ON

 

[Arnaldo24]

How open is ur regulator for the co2??
Whts ur bubble count??
Im thinking ur co2 regulator valve is open more then it needs (10lbs or less) that way when apex turn off the solenoid theres still a lot of co2 going thru the line making the ph drop a lot more.

 

[Reefer1978]

About 15 PSI, don't have a current bubble reading, but under 10 per minute.

That's my theory also, what's interesting is I didn't touch regulator/valve, only changed the program.

 

[Reefer1978]

Ohh and sup Arnaldo, long time :)

 

[Arnaldo24]

Sometimes a little tap can mess it up. I learn the hard way. Just do a reajustment. 15 seems a bit high tho.
Make sure ur co2 is NOT passing by too fast. Even tho the apex is ur controller if the co2 is too fast it will drop ur ph

 

[Arnaldo24]

Whts up bud!!

 

[Reefer1978]

Sometimes a little tap can mess it up. I learn the hard way. Just do a reajustment. 15 seems a bit high tho.
Make sure ur co2 is NOT passing by too fast. Even tho the apex is ur controller if the co2 is too fast it will drop ur ph

Yeah I will double check everything.... might even get a new pressure gauge for the reg, as LP currently is 1-200, hard to get it to 10 PSI. Bubble control is precise I am sure, $400 parker needle valve is on it, but back-up pressure inside the regulator might be what's causing it. I also rushed it and didn't pressure-test the post-body on the regulator after I re-built it, had to get the system up and running as coral was coming in. I guess it's also time to take a step back and test it now.

 

[Reefer1978]

Hmm... so it seems somehow my effluent rate went down to 24 drops per minute, I am still now sure why or how. I re-adjusted everything, currently we are at:
Pressure: 12-13 psi
Effluent: 55 drops per minute
CO2: 10-11 bubbles per minute

We'll see how it goes from here

 

[Reefer1978]

So this morning I am even more confused. I changed the programming for the Co2 to cut off at Ph 6.65, dialed everything back in as I mentioned yesterday. This morning readings are even worse.

 

[Reefer1978]

Anyone???