Milwaukee Instrument Ph monitor/controller SMS122

**miata** · 11-22-2008, 11:45 PM

Hope someone can help soon. I just calibrated my MI pH monitor/controller SMS122 for the first time. I just be doing something wrong because when I put the electrode into the 7.0 solution I was able to Adjust the offset calibration trimmer (on the front) to 7.0, however, when I put the electrode into the 4.0 solution I was not able to adjust the SLOPE calibration trimmer (on the rear) to display 4.0pH, the lowest I could adjust it to was 5.8 (instruction sheet said I could adjust it to 4. After trying for over an hour I decided to put the electrode into my newly planted tank with pressurized Co2 to see what would happen. I put my Setpoint at 7.0 but since the pH was 6.8 the solenoied needle valve did not open. To get it to open I tried raising my set point above 7.0...nothing, I then lowered my set point to 5.8 & the solenoid needle valve opened. It is my understanding that the valve should open when pH reaches 7.0 & stay open until it lowers to pH to an acceptable level (which I don't know what that level is). Going from a range of 7.0 to 5.8 doesn't seem like it would be healthy for the fish (which I haven't added yet). Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong or misunderstanding? Thanks for any help you can give me.

Left C · 11-23-2008, 12:13 AM

Isn't there directions on another piece of paper that tells you to only calibrate the OFFSET calibration trimmer (on the front) to display "7.0 pH" and do not adjust the SLOPE calibration trimmer (on the rear) to display "4.0 pH"?

Both of mine came with separate directions for freshwater use. That is why they only send you the 7.0 pH solution.

Left C · 11-23-2008, 12:18 AM

Let's say that you set the pH on the meter to 6.6. When the pH goes above 6.6, the solenoid comes on and allows the CO2 to flow until the 6.6 pH is reached again.

**miata** · 11-23-2008, 12:50 AM

Thanks Left C, no there was only one set of instructions, I also looked up MI's website & got their specifications for the SMS122 and I says the same thing as the enclosed instructions. I only have the 7.0 pH solution but went out and bought the 4.0 pH solution but when I inserted the electrode into it I could only set it to go to 5.8, 4.0 was not an option. Now, since I will be satisified with only using the 7.0 pH solution, my understanding is if I set the SETPOINT at 7.0, if it goes above 7.0 it will come on and start injection Co2 into the tank...question, at what pH point will it shut off? Is there a range? My problem is when I increase the setpoint above 7.0 nothing happens however when I decrease the setpoint to 5.8 it comes on and starts injecting Co2 into the aquarium. Please help me to see where I am going wrong & thanks for your time.
John.

fishyface · 11-23-2008, 12:52 AM

you never mentioned how old the probe is. sometimes when a probe's been around the block (so to speak) one too many times it makes it impossible to calibrate. especially if you're attempting a two point calibration.

**miata** · 11-23-2008, 12:55 AM

unit is less than a year old, bought it from a friend that had to get rid of his tank, gone to service.

**miata** · 11-23-2008, 01:02 AM

My KH is 5 drops (89) my pH goal is 7.0 and the chart tells me I should have between 15 & 24 ppm. If I want to keep my tank at 7.0 where should I put my SETPOINT? FYI, I have a high tek tank with 4 54w HO bulbs 216w or 2.88 wpg. 2 Giesemann Midday & 2 power chrome aqua flora 50/50 mix. Fixture is the current sundial.

fishyface · 11-23-2008, 01:10 AM

you mentioned the unit is less than a year old? maybe that probe is done, how did your friend store the probe, had it been out of the tank for a while before it reached your hands? if that's the case it could be no longer any good. you normally get a year give or take out of a probe i've found. now the first thing you need to do is take care of that.

if you're pH is reading 6.8 now, why don't you just adjust your setpoint to 6.7 and see how it goes? the solenoid should open till pH reaches 6.7 then close.

**miata** · 11-23-2008, 01:15 AM

Boy, glad you're still here, thought I'd lost you. when I went to pick the tank up it was still setup and I helped him tear it down. When the pH probe was removed we inserted the tip in a little of his tank water immediately as he knew this was important. When I got home I also put it in my tank immediately so it wouldn't have a chance to dry out. Maybe I should mention, there was no cap to remove, is this cap something you remove only once and discard? I also have my entire probe submerged in the aquarium, several other posts saiid this is ok to do but some say to only submerge an inch of it. What do you think is correct?

**miata** · 11-23-2008, 01:21 AM

Can you tell me if you have your pH Setpoint at 7.0, it turns on above 7.0, what pH does it shut off at? In other words what is the range between pH on and pH off. I would really have thought the instructions would have told me this along with a bunch of other stuff. I'm pretty savy on things like this, got my Co2 hooked up with the Eheim filter & reactor ok, and also the UV unit hooked up to another Eheim filter ok but this has really been confusing to me. Your help is worth more than you could ever know.
tks.

fishyface · 11-23-2008, 01:26 AM

i've used the pinpoint probe submerged before i'm not sure about Milwaukee, should be ok. regardless as to whether or not the probe dried out it still may be shot, if you can't calibrate it that's the indication that you need to replace it unfortunately.

till then, just try to set it at 6.7 and see if it works, when the pH drops to that point it should close...at least your controller will be operational.

as far as using the kh/ph relationship to get a known level of co2, there's a few things that can effect that relationship. it doesn't always reflect an accurate reading.

fishyface · 11-23-2008, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miata

Can you tell me if you have your pH Setpoint at 7.0, it turns on above 7.0, what pH does it shut off at?

if it's set at 7 and your pH hit's 7.1 the solenoid should open and stay open till it drops to 7 again.

**miata** · 11-23-2008, 01:31 AM

OK, thanks Fishyface. I'm now going to go set my Setpoint at 6.7, wait for the Solenoid to open & start Co2 injecting then see at what pH it shuts off at then I will do an API pH test to see if anything is in agreement. Thanks millions. Hope I can help you sometime, if not hope to talk to you again soon. I'll be posting some pics here as soon as I master that task also :-) I just got the tank planted 2 days ago, want to show the now then later pics. I hope it progresses in the right direction.
Thanks & good nite.
John (miata)

**miata** · 11-23-2008, 01:35 AM

BTW, what the temp in Surry BC? It's 22F here.

fishyface · 11-23-2008, 02:01 AM

Yikes, that's nasty...42f here. bundle up buddy and good luck with the controller!

11-22-2008, 11:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
miata Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 19	Milwaukee Instrument Ph monitor/controller SMS122 Hope someone can help soon. I just calibrated my MI pH monitor/controller SMS122 for the first time. I just be doing something wrong because when I put the electrode into the 7.0 solution I was able to Adjust the offset calibration trimmer (on the front) to 7.0, however, when I put the electrode into the 4.0 solution I was not able to adjust the SLOPE calibration trimmer (on the rear) to display 4.0pH, the lowest I could adjust it to was 5.8 (instruction sheet said I could adjust it to 4. After trying for over an hour I decided to put the electrode into my newly planted tank with pressurized Co2 to see what would happen. I put my Setpoint at 7.0 but since the pH was 6.8 the solenoied needle valve did not open. To get it to open I tried raising my set point above 7.0...nothing, I then lowered my set point to 5.8 & the solenoid needle valve opened. It is my understanding that the valve should open when pH reaches 7.0 & stay open until it lowers to pH to an acceptable level (which I don't know what that level is). Going from a range of 7.0 to 5.8 doesn't seem like it would be healthy for the fish (which I haven't added yet). Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong or misunderstanding? Thanks for any help you can give me.

11-23-2008, 12:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Left C Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (14) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Burlington, NC Posts: 4,033	Isn't there directions on another piece of paper that tells you to only calibrate the OFFSET calibration trimmer (on the front) to display "7.0 pH" and do not adjust the SLOPE calibration trimmer (on the rear) to display "4.0 pH"? Both of mine came with separate directions for freshwater use. That is why they only send you the 7.0 pH solution. __________________ EHEIM PIMP #164 Classic 2011, Classic 2213, Classic 2217, ECCO 2236, Pro II 2028, Liberty 2040, Liberty 2042 VICTOR PIMP #1 VTS253A-1993, VTS253D-320, HPT500-40-350-4M, SGT500-40-4F-DK

11-23-2008, 12:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
Left C Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (14) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Burlington, NC Posts: 4,033	Let's say that you set the pH on the meter to 6.6. When the pH goes above 6.6, the solenoid comes on and allows the CO2 to flow until the 6.6 pH is reached again. __________________ EHEIM PIMP #164 Classic 2011, Classic 2213, Classic 2217, ECCO 2236, Pro II 2028, Liberty 2040, Liberty 2042 VICTOR PIMP #1 VTS253A-1993, VTS253D-320, HPT500-40-350-4M, SGT500-40-4F-DK

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11-23-2008, 12:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
miata Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 19	Thanks Left C, no there was only one set of instructions, I also looked up MI's website & got their specifications for the SMS122 and I says the same thing as the enclosed instructions. I only have the 7.0 pH solution but went out and bought the 4.0 pH solution but when I inserted the electrode into it I could only set it to go to 5.8, 4.0 was not an option. Now, since I will be satisified with only using the 7.0 pH solution, my understanding is if I set the SETPOINT at 7.0, if it goes above 7.0 it will come on and start injection Co2 into the tank...question, at what pH point will it shut off? Is there a range? My problem is when I increase the setpoint above 7.0 nothing happens however when I decrease the setpoint to 5.8 it comes on and starts injecting Co2 into the aquarium. Please help me to see where I am going wrong & thanks for your time. John.

11-23-2008, 12:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
fishyface Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Surrey BC Posts: 225	you never mentioned how old the probe is. sometimes when a probe's been around the block (so to speak) one too many times it makes it impossible to calibrate. especially if you're attempting a two point calibration.

11-23-2008, 12:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
miata Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 19	unit is less than a year old, bought it from a friend that had to get rid of his tank, gone to service.

11-23-2008, 01:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
miata Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 19	My KH is 5 drops (89) my pH goal is 7.0 and the chart tells me I should have between 15 & 24 ppm. If I want to keep my tank at 7.0 where should I put my SETPOINT? FYI, I have a high tek tank with 4 54w HO bulbs 216w or 2.88 wpg. 2 Giesemann Midday & 2 power chrome aqua flora 50/50 mix. Fixture is the current sundial.

11-23-2008, 01:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
fishyface Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Surrey BC Posts: 225	you mentioned the unit is less than a year old? maybe that probe is done, how did your friend store the probe, had it been out of the tank for a while before it reached your hands? if that's the case it could be no longer any good. you normally get a year give or take out of a probe i've found. now the first thing you need to do is take care of that. if you're pH is reading 6.8 now, why don't you just adjust your setpoint to 6.7 and see how it goes? the solenoid should open till pH reaches 6.7 then close.

11-23-2008, 01:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
miata Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 19	Boy, glad you're still here, thought I'd lost you. when I went to pick the tank up it was still setup and I helped him tear it down. When the pH probe was removed we inserted the tip in a little of his tank water immediately as he knew this was important. When I got home I also put it in my tank immediately so it wouldn't have a chance to dry out. Maybe I should mention, there was no cap to remove, is this cap something you remove only once and discard? I also have my entire probe submerged in the aquarium, several other posts saiid this is ok to do but some say to only submerge an inch of it. What do you think is correct?

11-23-2008, 01:21 AM	#10 (permalink)
miata Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 19	Can you tell me if you have your pH Setpoint at 7.0, it turns on above 7.0, what pH does it shut off at? In other words what is the range between pH on and pH off. I would really have thought the instructions would have told me this along with a bunch of other stuff. I'm pretty savy on things like this, got my Co2 hooked up with the Eheim filter & reactor ok, and also the UV unit hooked up to another Eheim filter ok but this has really been confusing to me. Your help is worth more than you could ever know. tks.

11-23-2008, 01:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
fishyface Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Surrey BC Posts: 225	i've used the pinpoint probe submerged before i'm not sure about Milwaukee, should be ok. regardless as to whether or not the probe dried out it still may be shot, if you can't calibrate it that's the indication that you need to replace it unfortunately. till then, just try to set it at 6.7 and see if it works, when the pH drops to that point it should close...at least your controller will be operational. as far as using the kh/ph relationship to get a known level of co2, there's a few things that can effect that relationship. it doesn't always reflect an accurate reading.

11-23-2008, 01:31 AM	#13 (permalink)
miata Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 19	OK, thanks Fishyface. I'm now going to go set my Setpoint at 6.7, wait for the Solenoid to open & start Co2 injecting then see at what pH it shuts off at then I will do an API pH test to see if anything is in agreement. Thanks millions. Hope I can help you sometime, if not hope to talk to you again soon. I'll be posting some pics here as soon as I master that task also :-) I just got the tank planted 2 days ago, want to show the now then later pics. I hope it progresses in the right direction. Thanks & good nite. John (miata)

11-23-2008, 01:35 AM	#14 (permalink)
miata Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 19	BTW, what the temp in Surry BC? It's 22F here.

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11-23-2008, 02:01 AM	#15 (permalink)
fishyface Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Surrey BC Posts: 225	Yikes, that's nasty...42f here. bundle up buddy and good luck with the controller!