Is this possible?

evoi19 · 10/15/2010, 11:47 AM

So the other day i was thinking of a way to automate everything. Well, almost everything. I'm new to the technology that srrounds montioring/controlling reef tanks but i was doing some research and wanted to know if this was possible.

So I was looking at a Digital Aquatic RKE and saw that it monitors and can control PH, Temp, Salinity, ORP, ATO and Wavemakers. But I didn't see any probes that monitor/control Calcium, Magnesium or Alk. I'm wondering if that is possible and would it be possible to somehow link that to a doser (i.e. BRS) and have it controlled that way. So when the Calcium hits a certain number, the controller kicks in and starts the doser. Of course I'd have to adjust it to make it perfect but if this was possible, it'd make my life alot easier. haha

I don't know if it's been covered before or if i'm just that lazy to dose it myself!

Any guidance in how this can be done?

strike2867 · 10/15/2010, 11:55 AM

I'm using a RKL to automate lights, kalk, ATO, vodka, waves. I also have an automatic feeder. Right now the only thing I do on a daily basis is feed a picky Butterfly. If that fish was out of the tank, I'd only have to do things on the weekends.

evoi19 · 10/15/2010, 12:20 PM

Thanks Strike. So are you automating a kalk reactor or is it hooked up to a doser? Also, a kalk reactor is similar to a calcium one right?

strike2867 · 10/15/2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evoi19

Thanks Strike. So are you automating a kalk reactor or is it hooked up to a doser? Also, a kalk reactor is similar to a calcium one right?

Yes, I'm automating a Kalk Reactor. But I think it is a lot simpler than a Calcium one. I set it to mix a few times a day, and use an AquaLifter which turns on for 3 seconds every 3 minutes as long as the Ph is lower than 8.1.

Paco · 10/15/2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evoi19

So I was looking at a Digital Aquatic RKE and saw that it monitors and can control PH, Temp, Salinity, ORP, ATO and Wavemakers. But I didn't see any probes that monitor/control Calcium, Magnesium or Alk. I'm wondering if that is possible and would it be possible...

No, those probes do not exist, and there's no way to make them work as a monitored device.

You can, however, calculate your tank's daily consumption of those elements and then create an automated dosing schedule that can be controlled by any number of means. I dose Kalk 150 times a day by way of a LiterMeter. I highly recommend it.

strike2867 · 10/15/2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paco

No, those probes do not exist, and there's no way to make them work as a monitored device.

You can, however, calculate your tank's daily consumption of those elements and then create an automated dosing schedule that can be controlled by any number of means. I dose Kalk 150 times a day by way of a LiterMeter. I highly recommend it.

Yes on the Alkalinity and Magneseum, no on the Calcium. Calcium probes do exist, but are very expensive.

Paco · 10/15/2010, 02:12 PM

No calcium probes that are meant for continuous monitoring in salt water to my knowledge. If you are aware of one could you post a link? Thanks.

strike2867 · 10/15/2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paco

No calcium probes that are meant for continuous monitoring in salt water to my knowledge. If you are aware of one could you post a link? Thanks.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Marin.../dp/B001EHHXM6

But you probably know the details better than me. I doubt the probes for that unit are compatible with a RKE.

evoi19 · 10/15/2010, 02:27 PM

so for calcium i just need to figure out the daily dose and then hook up a dosing pump to the controller and regulate the times that way, right?

Do you have a link for the ALK and MAG probes? Are they compatible with most controllers like the reefkeeper elite?

strike2867 · 10/15/2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evoi19

so for calcium i just need to figure out the daily dose and then hook up a dosing pump to the controller and regulate the times that way, right?

Do you have a link for the ALK and MAG probes? Are they compatible with most controllers like the reefkeeper elite?

Sorry if I was confusing, but I don't think the Alk and Mag probe exists. There seems to be a Calcium monitor, but it isn't recommended for continuous use.

Paco · 10/16/2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strike2867

http://www.amazon.com/American-Marin.../dp/B001EHHXM6

But you probably know the details better than me. I doubt the probes for that unit are compatible with a RKE.

I stand corrected! I had forgotten about that one. You are right, though, I don't believe it will interface to a controller (?).

Anyway, you're making this more complicated than necessary. Your tank's daily consumption of Alk and CA are easily figured out and they don't change that rapidly. Thousands and thousands of aquarists are automated dosing with only occasional tweaks.

serpentman · 10/16/2010, 09:34 AM

The Pinpoint Ca monitors are ok for spot checking. However, because they need very frequent calibration, I would not consider this a continuous monitoring solution. If you read the calibration instructions, quite frankly its easier to just run a calcium test.

strike2867 · 10/16/2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serpentman

The Pinpoint Ca monitors are ok for spot checking. However, because they need very frequent calibration, I would not consider this a continuous monitoring solution. If you read the calibration instructions, quite frankly its easier to just run a calcium test.

I hate the calcium tests. Maybe I have a bad test kit, but I doubt I'm anywhere close to the real number. Last time it came out at over 500. A few months ago the LFS told me 350. If I get the 150 that I want in the future, I'd definitely consider one of these.

REEEFMAN · 10/16/2010, 02:39 PM

But can the Pinpoint Calcium probes be left in the water. Or do you have to remove them then place back into the water after they are turned on? Also what about the salinity monitor also. I am glad I came across this topic>

Mike

10/15/2010, 11:47 AM	#1
evoi19 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 221	Is this possible? So the other day i was thinking of a way to automate everything. Well, almost everything. I'm new to the technology that srrounds montioring/controlling reef tanks but i was doing some research and wanted to know if this was possible. So I was looking at a Digital Aquatic RKE and saw that it monitors and can control PH, Temp, Salinity, ORP, ATO and Wavemakers. But I didn't see any probes that monitor/control Calcium, Magnesium or Alk. I'm wondering if that is possible and would it be possible to somehow link that to a doser (i.e. BRS) and have it controlled that way. So when the Calcium hits a certain number, the controller kicks in and starts the doser. Of course I'd have to adjust it to make it perfect but if this was possible, it'd make my life alot easier. haha I don't know if it's been covered before or if i'm just that lazy to dose it myself! Any guidance in how this can be done?

10/15/2010, 02:12 PM	#7
Paco Move Don Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,210	No calcium probes that are meant for continuous monitoring in salt water to my knowledge. If you are aware of one could you post a link? Thanks. __________________ Fish are nitrate factories. Remove them and watch your nitrates come down. Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

10/16/2010, 09:34 AM	#12
serpentman part time superhero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO) Posts: 5,698	The Pinpoint Ca monitors are ok for spot checking. However, because they need very frequent calibration, I would not consider this a continuous monitoring solution. If you read the calibration instructions, quite frankly its easier to just run a calcium test. __________________ BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned

10/15/2010, 11:55 AM	#2
strike2867 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buffalo Grove, IL Posts: 700	I'm using a RKL to automate lights, kalk, ATO, vodka, waves. I also have an automatic feeder. Right now the only thing I do on a daily basis is feed a picky Butterfly. If that fish was out of the tank, I'd only have to do things on the weekends.

10/15/2010, 12:20 PM	#3
evoi19 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 221	Thanks Strike. So are you automating a kalk reactor or is it hooked up to a doser? Also, a kalk reactor is similar to a calcium one right?

10/15/2010, 02:27 PM	#9
evoi19 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 221	so for calcium i just need to figure out the daily dose and then hook up a dosing pump to the controller and regulate the times that way, right? Do you have a link for the ALK and MAG probes? Are they compatible with most controllers like the reefkeeper elite?

10/16/2010, 02:39 PM	#14
REEEFMAN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 51	But can the Pinpoint Calcium probes be left in the water. Or do you have to remove them then place back into the water after they are turned on? Also what about the salinity monitor also. I am glad I came across this topic> Mike