KH Guardian: Automatic Alkalinity Controller- My Experiences

[Dr. Reef]

The very minor adjustments that one would make with KH Guardian is not even going to show up on our test kits for calcium in terms of consumption.
And for the most part anybody that has a mix Reef are using either two-part dosing system or using a calcium reactor so if you're just adjusting alkalinity you will never have to worry about calcium if your other equipment is running properly.
But I do get your point that one should not just solely rely on KH pro as a standalone dosing. Cal and mag are just as equally important and need to be in balance.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I dose alkalinity and calcium completely separate from each other. I have two pumps that run different rates and I mix up solutions to my own more concentrated ratio. I just dose based on the tanks needs. I run the dosing pump for a few seconds every hour and test weekly, adjust up or down a few seconds if the value is high or low. The KHG doesn’t affect your demand at all. I guess you could look at the logs and dose some extra ca if you were that worried about it. But the tank is going to need the Ca with or without the alk monitor.

 

[293482398]

Mind you I have a Calcium Reactor so dont need to dose anything, but I hate to see hobbyist dosing NaHCO3 with out a Ca dose. Maybe someone will prove me wrong. I welcome the added knowledge, and will accept if i am wrong.

There are two approaches. Underlying both approaches, is that concept that other things can consume alkalinity besides calcium consumption. It depends on the tank inhabitants as well as reef-keeping approach (water changes removing NO3 thereby alk, gfo depressing alk, etc.) on how measurable that delta is. To say that alkalinity is strictly tied only to calcium is a bit of simplification, but is effectively true in some tanks.

So some people have the controller monitor the alk and only do minor doses of alk to keep it solid, they monitor the dosing frequency and if it changes that alerts them they need to adjust their 2, 3, or 4 part system. Others tie alk monitor directly to their 2, 3, or 4 part system. They should monitor their params, because you see the threads (usually in newer, less mature tanks) where Ca/Mg are too high because they overdosed chasing Alk.

People do need to increase (or decrease during problems) their 2,3,4 part or calc reactor, but that doesn't happen that many times in a year compared to how frequently Alk is tested.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

All of the videos and things I have read online makes it seem like you can not customize the concentration of the dosing solution. However if you look at the change log of the user manual it mentions a variable to be able to customize the concentration of the dose solution. But I don’t see this option under system setup. Does anyone know the deal with this? Would be much easier to use the same solution I use for the rest of my dosing instead of formulating a second solution.

 

[Lazys Coral House]

I am really frustrated with the KH Monitor. No matter what I do the kh adjustment is -2.00 which is still not enough. I have been working with Carlos through email. He has been helpful and explained how it works but I am not getting anywhere. He says they only things that can cause the unit to inaccurately report kh high is mis-calibrated ph probe or improperly mixed reagent. So I am hoping to get some help from the group.
Here is pictures of the process I have taken. Please let me know if any issue is seen or any suggestions

These first two picture shown are after calibration. I inserted back into the ph7 and ph4 solution and the kh monitor display is reporting the ph of the calibration solutions properly.

Probe position

Here is mixing of reagent. First pic is Tare with jug empty. And second pic is with ro/di water at 1,500 grams

This next two picture show Hannah result and kh monitor result using a kh adjustment of -2.00 (max) and still not low enough

I have tried a new lab grade probe with same result. Also mixed new reagent with water a second and third time. No change. I purchased this kh monitor was on coralvue website. First one was a lemon. Sent in and they replaced the internals. I probrably have 20 hours messing with this thing.
It has been frustrating. Am I missing something here?

 

[maxwell]

That probe is too low it should be set in the middle of motor you are in danger of damaging it ??? ,I will have a look at my settings .I would also alter the 240 setting to say 60 or 120 to get it stable.
Bill

 

[Dan Snyder]

I am really frustrated with the KH Monitor. No matter what I do the kh adjustment is -2.00 which is still not enough. I have been working with Carlos through email. He has been helpful and explained how it works but I am not getting anywhere. He says they only things that can cause the unit to inaccurately report kh high is mis-calibrated ph probe or improperly mixed reagent. So I am hoping to get some help from the group.
Here is pictures of the process I have taken. Please let me know if any issue is seen or any suggestions

These first two picture shown are after calibration. I inserted back into the ph7 and ph4 solution and the kh monitor display is reporting the ph of the calibration solutions properly.

Probe position

Here is mixing of reagent. First pic is Tare with jug empty. And second pic is with ro/di water at 1,500 grams

This next two picture show Hannah result and kh monitor result using a kh adjustment of -2.00 (max) and still not low enough

I have tried a new lab grade probe with same result. Also mixed new reagent with water a second and third time. No change. I purchased this kh monitor was on coralvue website. First one was a lemon. Sent in and they replaced the internals. I probrably have 20 hours messing with this thing.
It has been frustrating. Am I missing something here?

This is great! I have had mine for 5 months and have not got it to even read an actual alk reading. Same contact with Carlos threw email and can never get it to work sent in the unit twice, they always blame it on something, reagent, or it needs a prob but they r on back order and have to wait 2 months. All I get is ERROR messages! Over frustrated. It simply doesn’t work I don’t even know how coralvue can even justify this piece of equipment. Most expensive paper weight I have ever bought!

 

[Dr. Reef]

Wrong feed.

 

[Lazys Coral House]

That probe is too low it should be set in the middle of motor you are in danger of damaging it ??? ,I will have a look at my settings .I would also alter the 240 setting to say 60 or 120 to get it stable.
Bill

Thanks Bill for your reply. Are you sure it is to low. Here is screen shot from coralvue video where they say bottom of plastic should be 1mm above aluminum plate. This is the kh monitor not the guardian

 

[maxwell]

Your data says your tank is only 200L and the 2.00 in my opinion should be 0.50 , mlq @50 as its hardly dosing. What do you run you KH at 9.5 is too high for me.

 

[maxwell]

The plastic should be in the middle of the motor as the probe is too low in the mixing chamber

 

[Lazys Coral House]

Your data says your tank is only 200L and the 2.00 in my opinion should be 0.50 , mlq @50 as its hardly dosing. What do you run you KH at 9.5 is too high for me.

This is a kh monitor not the kh guardian.
Yes I run my kh at 9.5

 

[maxwell]

Because you have it set to dose every 4 hrs and only dose 20ml it will be totally ineffective .

 

[maxwell]

lazylivin
Ha sorry ,I have the KHG but I would have thought that the probe setting would be the same ,if its only a monitor im not familiar with the system set up screen , I have run one for over 12 months now.
Bill

 

[Lazys Coral House]

lazylivin
Ha sorry ,I have the KHG but I would have thought that the probe setting would be the same ,if its only a monitor im not familiar with the system set up screen , I have run one for over 12 months now.
Bill

No problem Bill I appreciate the assistance and trying all suggestions. I think the probe that comes with the guardian is longer than the one that comes with monitor but not postive

 

[maxwell]

You would think they would be the same as its still mixing and testing minus the extra pump. I have had problems with my probe and they recommend that it should be changed every 6 months and is classed as an accessory not covered by the guarantee which inn my opinion is ludicrous and very costly to the end user adding to the high cost of reagent.

 

[Dan Snyder]

Wrong feed.

Nope

 

[morpheas]

Stupid question but how do you know the KHG is wrong and not the Hana?

 

[maxwell]

You don't you just need to use one as the reference and work with that. From my experience the hanna are hit and miss and usually read lower others may have a different opinion but its best to use one and go with it.
Bill

 

[maxwell]

lazylivin
The probe plastic piece has to be set to the top of the plastic viewing screen within a 1mm tolerance as per the instructions see attached .
Bill

https://www.theaquariumsolution.com/sites/default/files/downloads/KH Guardian Quick Set Up Guide.pdf