Ph monitor

dave75 · 06-28-2003, 07:55 PM

Happy day all the components of my new pressurized co2 sytem are here. BUt alas another stop sign :cry: I receved my milwaukee sms122 ph meter and it only came with the 7.01 buffer for callibration and after reading the directions and M. lemay's post I now know I need the ph buffer 4.01 also... So if anyone can give me an idea on what I can use (besides ordering it) b/c I am already chewing at the bit to get this thing running I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance-Dave

m.lemay · 06-28-2003, 08:27 PM

Just calibrate it with the 7.01 fluid for now to get it running. It'll be good for now till you get some 4.01 fluid. It should be accurate to within 0.1 ph point. Close enough for now.
What happens after a while is the ph probe gets worn and the slope has to be calibrated to keep it accurate.
Hook it up already!!

Marcel

Doomer · 06-28-2003, 10:39 PM

I've got 2 of these and they both came factory calibrated pretty close to where they should be. Like m.lemay said, use the 7.01 and hook it up. You can always check it when you do get the 4.01.

Momotaro · 06-29-2003, 03:35 AM

I was told by the people at Milwaukee that there is a =/- of .2 on the SMS 122.

Mike

dave75 · 06-30-2003, 01:08 AM

up and running woohoo

dave75 · 07-01-2003, 07:49 AM

So I have it set up and running but one thing confuses me the set point if the pH goes above the set point then ther solenoid shuts OFF? the co2 supply it seems to me that I would want it to shut off the co2 supply if it goes below a set point. Right? or am I just not seeing something. Thanks in advance-Dave

Doomer · 07-01-2003, 11:39 AM

Increase your bubble rate. You're not adding the co2 fast enough to maintain the set point.

I have the probe at the opposite end of the tank from the co2 input. This way I know the whole tank is at the set point but if my bubble rate is too low then the PH will go above the set point and take a long time to get back down to where I want it to be.

dave75 · 07-01-2003, 06:33 PM

Yes I understand that but lets say just for arguments sake my pH setpoint is 7.2 then when my pH goes above that the solenoid will shut off the pH supply which will do me no good because I want the PH lower then that. Thanks

Doomer · 07-01-2003, 09:25 PM

The solenoid controls the co2 which in turn alters the PH. When the solenoid is energized (power applied) co2 flows. When it is unenergized, there is no co2 flow. If your setpoint is 7.2 then the solenoid should be energized somewhere around that PH level. I have mine set to straddle between 6.8 and 6.7. This way I know everything is working if it's either one. If the ph rises to 6.9 or drops to 6.6 then I know something is wrong. I'm not sure what the spread is between solenoid on and off but I know it's less than 1/10th of a point which is close enough for me. If your PH is varying more than that then something is wrong mechanically or you are butting up against your tanks natural buffering capacity. What is your GH and KH ? Do you know how much co2 in ppm is dissolved in the water column at 7.2 ?

dave75 · 07-02-2003, 02:51 AM

Ok now here is my question you say you have yours set to "straddle" what do you have it set at exactly? Is there two set points on yours or one? I am having a hard time wrapping my brain arouns it b/c if it shuts off when the pH goes above the set point and shuts off the co2 supply then the pH will continue to rise, right?
my KH is 30ppm GH i forget and I am at work. Thanks

Doomer · 07-02-2003, 03:26 AM

Check out the chart here http://www.sfbaaps.com/reference/table_01.shtml

It doesn't go up to 30kh but at least you'll get an idea.

My controller turns on the co2 at 6.8 and turns it off at 6.7. This way I can see it do it's thing. My kh is 5.

dave75 · 07-02-2003, 04:15 AM

the KH I gave you wass in ppm the chart is in degrees to I understand the chart and the dosage what I don't get is the function of the solenoid how do you set your turn off point is your monitor a milwakee? Mine only has one knob and it shuts off the co2 when it goes above the setpoint so if the set[point is 7.2 and the pH is 7.3 the co2 supply will shut off which will only help raise the pH

Doomer · 07-02-2003, 11:48 AM

Yes, mine is a Milaukee SMS122. I'm not following you. When PH rises above your set point the controller is supposed to turn the solenoid on. If this is not happening then either the solenoid or controller is defective.

dave75 · 07-02-2003, 12:17 PM

and when it turns it on the co2 flow shuts off is this what is suppose to happen?

Rex Grigg · 07-02-2003, 12:32 PM

Dave,

If you have your equipment set up correctly then the solenoid will shut off the CO2 when the pH gets BELOW the set point. Then when the pH RISES above the set point the solenoid will open up and allow the CO2 to flow again which will cause the pH to again drop. You really seem to be confused and it appears that you are confusing pH and CO2.

06-28-2003, 08:27 PM	#2
m.lemay Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naugatuck, CT. Posts: 2,647	Just calibrate it with the 7.01 fluid for now to get it running. It'll be good for now till you get some 4.01 fluid. It should be accurate to within 0.1 ph point. Close enough for now. What happens after a while is the ph probe gets worn and the slope has to be calibrated to keep it accurate. Hook it up already!! Marcel __________________ FILSTAR Pimp #2 75 gal heavily planted,50/50 Black beauty,Eco-complete substrate, Pressurised CO2 with solenoid, ph controller, AB Reactor 1000, 330 watts 9325K GE PC lighting,Ehiem Liquidoser, 2-Filstar xp3 canisters.

06-29-2003, 03:35 AM	#4
Momotaro Doesn't like Kool-Aid (View User Tanks) PTrader: (52/100%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hawthorne, New Jersey Posts: 10,109	I was told by the people at Milwaukee that there is a =/- of .2 on the SMS 122. Mike __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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06-28-2003, 07:55 PM	#1
dave75 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 35	Happy day all the components of my new pressurized co2 sytem are here. BUt alas another stop sign :cry: I receved my milwaukee sms122 ph meter and it only came with the 7.01 buffer for callibration and after reading the directions and M. lemay's post I now know I need the ph buffer 4.01 also... So if anyone can give me an idea on what I can use (besides ordering it) b/c I am already chewing at the bit to get this thing running I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance-Dave

06-28-2003, 10:39 PM	#3
Doomer Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Boondocks Posts: 468	I've got 2 of these and they both came factory calibrated pretty close to where they should be. Like m.lemay said, use the 7.01 and hook it up. You can always check it when you do get the 4.01.

06-30-2003, 01:08 AM	#5
dave75 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 35	up and running woohoo

07-01-2003, 07:49 AM	#6
dave75 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 35	So I have it set up and running but one thing confuses me the set point if the pH goes above the set point then ther solenoid shuts OFF? the co2 supply it seems to me that I would want it to shut off the co2 supply if it goes below a set point. Right? or am I just not seeing something. Thanks in advance-Dave

07-01-2003, 11:39 AM	#7
Doomer Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Boondocks Posts: 468	Increase your bubble rate. You're not adding the co2 fast enough to maintain the set point. I have the probe at the opposite end of the tank from the co2 input. This way I know the whole tank is at the set point but if my bubble rate is too low then the PH will go above the set point and take a long time to get back down to where I want it to be.

07-01-2003, 06:33 PM	#8
dave75 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 35	Yes I understand that but lets say just for arguments sake my pH setpoint is 7.2 then when my pH goes above that the solenoid will shut off the pH supply which will do me no good because I want the PH lower then that. Thanks

07-01-2003, 09:25 PM	#9
Doomer Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Boondocks Posts: 468	The solenoid controls the co2 which in turn alters the PH. When the solenoid is energized (power applied) co2 flows. When it is unenergized, there is no co2 flow. If your setpoint is 7.2 then the solenoid should be energized somewhere around that PH level. I have mine set to straddle between 6.8 and 6.7. This way I know everything is working if it's either one. If the ph rises to 6.9 or drops to 6.6 then I know something is wrong. I'm not sure what the spread is between solenoid on and off but I know it's less than 1/10th of a point which is close enough for me. If your PH is varying more than that then something is wrong mechanically or you are butting up against your tanks natural buffering capacity. What is your GH and KH ? Do you know how much co2 in ppm is dissolved in the water column at 7.2 ?

07-02-2003, 02:51 AM	#10
dave75 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 35	Ok now here is my question you say you have yours set to "straddle" what do you have it set at exactly? Is there two set points on yours or one? I am having a hard time wrapping my brain arouns it b/c if it shuts off when the pH goes above the set point and shuts off the co2 supply then the pH will continue to rise, right? my KH is 30ppm GH i forget and I am at work. Thanks

07-02-2003, 03:26 AM	#11
Doomer Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Boondocks Posts: 468	Check out the chart here http://www.sfbaaps.com/reference/table_01.shtml It doesn't go up to 30kh but at least you'll get an idea. My controller turns on the co2 at 6.8 and turns it off at 6.7. This way I can see it do it's thing. My kh is 5.

07-02-2003, 04:15 AM	#12
dave75 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 35	the KH I gave you wass in ppm the chart is in degrees to I understand the chart and the dosage what I don't get is the function of the solenoid how do you set your turn off point is your monitor a milwakee? Mine only has one knob and it shuts off the co2 when it goes above the setpoint so if the set[point is 7.2 and the pH is 7.3 the co2 supply will shut off which will only help raise the pH

07-02-2003, 11:48 AM	#13
Doomer Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Boondocks Posts: 468	Yes, mine is a Milaukee SMS122. I'm not following you. When PH rises above your set point the controller is supposed to turn the solenoid on. If this is not happening then either the solenoid or controller is defective.

07-02-2003, 12:17 PM	#14
dave75 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 35	and when it turns it on the co2 flow shuts off is this what is suppose to happen?

07-02-2003, 12:32 PM	#15
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	Dave, If you have your equipment set up correctly then the solenoid will shut off the CO2 when the pH gets BELOW the set point. Then when the pH RISES above the set point the solenoid will open up and allow the CO2 to flow again which will cause the pH to again drop. You really seem to be confused and it appears that you are confusing pH and CO2.