CO2 on/off cycle

[shirley386]

I have recently installed a controller to monitor the pH in my calcium reactor and keep it at a constant value. This results in turning the CO2 on and back off about 7 or 8 times per minute. I'm a little concerned that this will prematurely cause a failure of the relay in the relay strip (not solid state) or the solenoid on the CO2 regulator.

How do you folks do it?

[Marinworld]

Originally Posted by shirley386

I have recently installed a controller to monitor the pH in my calcium reactor and keep it at a constant value. This results in turning the CO2 on and back off about 7 or 8 times per minute. I'm a little concerned that this will prematurely cause a failure of the relay in the relay strip (not solid state) or the solenoid on the CO2 regulator.

How do you folks do it?

Shirley386,
I use an electronic regulator from aquariumplants.com. This is used on a large FW system that is heavily planted, along with a pH controller. I have this dialed in to pump 3 bubbles per second. That means the unit is turning off/on continually.

I would suggest you invest in a good solid state regulator, therefore no concern with failure. Now, after saying that, I do admit I have not used anything other than an electronic unit. Perhaps at 7/8 times a minute would not be a problem.

I know the website I suggested got some bad comments, however, I have never had a problem with anything from them, and I do not have any affiliation whatsoever with this company.

Hope this is helpful.

Marinworld

[nivenethan]

Spend the money on the aquarium plants regulator/selenoid combo. It's awesome.