does anyone use a Milwaukee SMS122 ?

[Stevendietzel]

Hello. I recently bought a calcium reactor, with a Milwaukee MA957 CO2 regulator. it recommended that I get the Milwaukee SMS122 controller to control the pH. I assume by turning off the CO2 if the pH drops. just wanted to know who here if any was using this and how well it worked? and if there is something else that I should be buying in addition to the Milwaukee SMS122 controller.

also if the pH was to drop what is the best thing to add to bring it back up? also cost would be a factor in this. college student. any help would be much appreciated.

Steven

[Stevendietzel]

bump... anyone?

[Schwaggs]

I use the controller to regulate the pH in the Calcium reactor. It makes it much easier to dial in. I also have another pH controller (Aquacontroller) that will shut down the feed pump to the calcium reactor if the tank pH gets too low...

[Stevendietzel]

that sounds like a excellent way setup a CA reactor. what do you do to get the pH back up if and when the CA reactor lowers it? kalk? oxygen? time etc???

[VWD]

I also use it and it works great, I have it hooked up to my reactor. Two are better then one , You can get the a monitor to monitor the tank ph, cheaper then a 2nd controller.

[Schwaggs]

Originally Posted by Stevendietzel

that sounds like a excellent way setup a CA reactor. what do you do to get the pH back up if and when the CA reactor lowers it? kalk? oxygen? time etc???

That typically isn't a problem for me. My tank runs 8.2 to 8.3 all the time. All I have is a very large protien skimmer and a large refugeium filled with algea on a reverse lighting cycle.

Dial in procedure when using a pH controller to control the pH in the reactor.

1) Setup a regular flow rate. 100ml per minute work well for systems up to 100 gallons. 1ml per minute per gallon for larger systems.

2) Calibrate the pH controller and connect the probe inline to the recirculation line on the ca reactor

3) Adjust the co2 flow to about 60 to 80 bubbles per minute.

4) Set the pH controller to maintain the pH in the reactor at 6.8 for a heavily stocked tank and 7.0 for an average stocked tank.

5) Measue the Ca level in the tank. If below 400, use the CA additive of your choice and bring it up to 400.

6) Once at 400, Measure the CA level every other day. If the CA level drops, lower the pH in the reactor .1. If the the CA level raises, raise the pH .1

7) Once the level stays around 400 day to day, you can increase the time between measurements to 1 week then 1 month.