Ph controller, yes or no?

Acronuts · Jun 24, 2009

Hey all,
Just wanted to know if those of you out there using ca/ reactors are also using ph controllers to control the co2 in their systems.
I am slowly trying to put all the pieces of the ca/reactor puzzle and this one leaves me thinking.
American Marine seems to think that it is important to control the the Co2 and their website says we should have one in order to control the Co2 so that if it is needed it turns on if it is not needed it turns it off.
Sounds good to me.
Or should I be thinking about a total aquarium controller?
What are your thoughts?

Fishcrazy06 · Jun 24, 2009

You could go either way. I have a ph controller now and it works awesome. I also have a aqus controller that will work as well. All depends on what you want and what your wallet can handle. The Total controller like an aquacontroller or a Reef keeper will give you more options other than using it as a ph controller. But I would suggest one or the other.

Eric

Murfman · Jun 24, 2009

I use my AC Jr to control my Ca reactor and just got a Milwaukee SMS122 to monitor the tank PH.

Russellaqua · Jun 24, 2009

I've always used a pH controller with a calcium reactor. If not you run the risk of injecting too much CO2, lowering the pH, and killing everything in your tank. A sad and costly scenario. Total controllers are just nice if you're looking to run other equipment as well.

AZDesertRat · Jun 25, 2009

Yes, I use a Milwaukee SMS-122 controller. I couldn't imagine accurate control of a calcium reactor without it.

mpoletti · Jun 25, 2009

I do not use one. I only use a bubble count. One less of equipment to calibrate or fail.

Ultimateaquariums · Jun 25, 2009

I've had trouble with false readings from probes inside calcium reactors. You have to keep them clean and it can be a PITA to remove and clean.

AZDesertRat · Jun 25, 2009

I hang a Lee's Specimen Container, like they bag fish in at the LFS, on the side of my sump and drip the effluent into it. The pH probe is suspended over the container using a piece of 1/4" acrylic about 1.5" wide which spans the sump and has a 5/8" hole drilled in it to hold the probe. The effluent overflows from the container into the sump. Easy to clean and calibrate. I don't like the probes directly in the calcium reactor chamber either.