Measuring Ca Reactor pH

das75 · 12/18/2006, 11:40 AM

Had placed this query if the reef section but thinking more appropriate here...

Made up a DIY reactor and have the Pinpoint pH probe that will be hooked up to a controller, couple of questions though.

I could drill into the reactor lid and mount the probe with a Uniseal but really would like to avoid that as then would be difficult to remove and use probe in the tank (plus then I'll have a hole in the lid of the reactor). If not mounting the probe in the reactor, assume I run the effluent into a cup which then overflows into the sump (and placing probe in cup).

Does this have an effect on the pH, also does the length of the effluent line between the reactor and sump make a difference?

DW62 · 12/18/2006, 03:12 PM

I am running a Schuran CA reactor for my 75G reef. I run the effluent into a cup made from a plastic film container. I used the cap, cut two holes in the top (one for the effluent tubing and one for my PH controller), and it is clamped onto the side of my refugium. I drilled a hole in the side of the film container (about 1/4 of the way down) and glued a short piece of tubing to stick out of the film container for the effluent to drip into the refugium. This way, it is easy to pull the PH probe out of the effluent and place into the refugium to get the PH of the aquarium. I have noticed relatively little (.1) difference between the PH at the reactor and in the cup.

Henry Bowman · 12/18/2006, 03:44 PM

You are really better off running 2 probes. Once a probe is calibrated for a low pH (reactor) it may not reliably read the increased pH environment of the aquarium accurately. When I calibrate for my reactor, use the 2 point method with pH of standards 4 and 7. Then use 7 and 10 to calibrate the probe for the tank

12/18/2006, 11:40 AM	#1
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	Measuring Ca Reactor pH Had placed this query if the reef section but thinking more appropriate here... Made up a DIY reactor and have the Pinpoint pH probe that will be hooked up to a controller, couple of questions though. I could drill into the reactor lid and mount the probe with a Uniseal but really would like to avoid that as then would be difficult to remove and use probe in the tank (plus then I'll have a hole in the lid of the reactor). If not mounting the probe in the reactor, assume I run the effluent into a cup which then overflows into the sump (and placing probe in cup). Does this have an effect on the pH, also does the length of the effluent line between the reactor and sump make a difference?

12/18/2006, 03:44 PM	#3
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	You are really better off running 2 probes. Once a probe is calibrated for a low pH (reactor) it may not reliably read the increased pH environment of the aquarium accurately. When I calibrate for my reactor, use the 2 point method with pH of standards 4 and 7. Then use 7 and 10 to calibrate the probe for the tank __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

12/18/2006, 03:12 PM	#2
DW62 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 58	I am running a Schuran CA reactor for my 75G reef. I run the effluent into a cup made from a plastic film container. I used the cap, cut two holes in the top (one for the effluent tubing and one for my PH controller), and it is clamped onto the side of my refugium. I drilled a hole in the side of the film container (about 1/4 of the way down) and glued a short piece of tubing to stick out of the film container for the effluent to drip into the refugium. This way, it is easy to pull the PH probe out of the effluent and place into the refugium to get the PH of the aquarium. I have noticed relatively little (.1) difference between the PH at the reactor and in the cup.