Calcium reactor and PH Controllers?

vthondaboi · 10/17/2006, 09:28 PM

Do you really need a PH Controller/Monitor for the Calcium Reactor?

I noticed lots of them don't have a spot for the probe.

Acroholic · 10/17/2006, 09:35 PM

IMO it's not exactly needed, but it does help in keeping proper pH in the reactor for efficient dissolution of the media.
My reactor did'nt come with a spot for the probe either. I just drilled and tapped a hole in the top of my reactor for a compression fitting to hold the probe.

jimsta · 10/18/2006, 07:53 AM

Mine didnt come with a hole either so I run my effluent into a cup with a hole in the middle, and my pH probe sits in there. Instead of buying a pH controller You can spend the same money and get 2x pH monitors So you can not only monitor the reactor effluent but also the tank's pH as well.

Stitchreef · 10/18/2006, 09:44 AM

I've got a ph controller connected to my calcium reactor, and honestly, its not truly worth it to purchase one. Ever since I got my CO2 needle valve dialed in properly the ph hasn't moved from 6.5, so the ph controller never actually turns the CO2 off, and just acts as a ph meter.

Thankfully I had it leftover from my planted freshwater days so I didn't spend 200+ dollars on it specifically for this, or I'd be ****ed.

There is one good reason for it though, and that is if your feed pump or effluent line clog. If that were to happen then the ph inside the reactor would drop and your media might turn to mush, which a ph controller could prevent. But that's really the only good use for it, and I think I've read about that happening only once here on RC.

old salty · 10/18/2006, 04:22 PM

I don't use a pH probe for the Ca reactor. Never really saw a need for it (other than something else to fail and cause headaches.)

Hockeydad · 10/18/2006, 04:24 PM

Set it and forget it

60Cubed · 10/18/2006, 07:43 PM

i have two ph probes. one on my controller inside the reactor and one as a monitor for the tank. it's really a security blanket. lets you sleep a little better at night.
lance

10/17/2006, 09:28 PM	#1
vthondaboi Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 916	Calcium reactor and PH Controllers? Do you really need a PH Controller/Monitor for the Calcium Reactor? I noticed lots of them don't have a spot for the probe.

10/17/2006, 09:35 PM	#2
Acroholic Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hypoluxo, Fl. Posts: 1,000	IMO it's not exactly needed, but it does help in keeping proper pH in the reactor for efficient dissolution of the media. My reactor did'nt come with a spot for the probe either. I just drilled and tapped a hole in the top of my reactor for a compression fitting to hold the probe. __________________ "I don't always know what I'm talking about, but I know I'm right!" -Muhammad Ali Current Tank Info: 180 Diamante Oceanic, 3 400w 10k Hammy's w/IceCaps, 2 140w URI super actinics, AC III Pro, 30g sump, 30g refug, 1/3hp chill, PM Skimmer/kalkreactor/calcium reactor/effluent, 2 Tunze 6060's, 2 Gorman Rupp 1115's, 25w UV

10/18/2006, 04:22 PM	#5
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	I don't use a pH probe for the Ca reactor. Never really saw a need for it (other than something else to fail and cause headaches.) __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

10/18/2006, 04:24 PM	#6
Hockeydad Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 273	I think it helps Set it and forget it __________________ 120 gal. Euro design glass tank with three 400 watt PFO de and actinics. Closed loop Oceanmotion Super Squirt. 40 gal refugium, 120 gal sump. Knop/Geo reactors. All sps!! Current Tank Info: 120 Euro all sps

10/18/2006, 07:43 PM	#7
60Cubed Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,518	i have two ph probes. one on my controller inside the reactor and one as a monitor for the tank. it's really a security blanket. lets you sleep a little better at night. lance __________________ "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty" Winston Churchill Current Tank Info: 75g...radions/vortechs/apex/geo/ehiem/bubble magnus...all the good stuff and still want more!!!!

10/18/2006, 07:53 AM	#3
jimsta Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 540	Mine didnt come with a hole either so I run my effluent into a cup with a hole in the middle, and my pH probe sits in there. Instead of buying a pH controller You can spend the same money and get 2x pH monitors So you can not only monitor the reactor effluent but also the tank's pH as well.

10/18/2006, 09:44 AM	#4
Stitchreef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 12	I've got a ph controller connected to my calcium reactor, and honestly, its not truly worth it to purchase one. Ever since I got my CO2 needle valve dialed in properly the ph hasn't moved from 6.5, so the ph controller never actually turns the CO2 off, and just acts as a ph meter. Thankfully I had it leftover from my planted freshwater days so I didn't spend 200+ dollars on it specifically for this, or I'd be ****ed. There is one good reason for it though, and that is if your feed pump or effluent line clog. If that were to happen then the ph inside the reactor would drop and your media might turn to mush, which a ph controller could prevent. But that's really the only good use for it, and I think I've read about that happening only once here on RC.