Milwaukee SMS122 pH Controller Question

[absolut_racer]

I just installed my Ca reactor which has a probe holder with Milwaukee SMS122 pH controller.

1. I have the controller set to 6.5 according to instructions. However, I read that ARM media dissolves at 6.5 while the Schuran media dissolves at 6.2. I am using 10% ZEOmag with D-D Rowalith C+. Should I lower the setting on the ph controller?

2. I calibrated the ph controller according to the manual. Besides setting the controller to 6.5, should I set a specific offset? If so, what is a good range, with a current midpoint of 6.5? and 6.2?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Edited January 14, 2011 by absolut_racer

[+Hydro]

I use arm and set my controller to 6.3. I don't mess with setting a variance for it, if it rises to 6.4 it kicks on and then off at 6.3. Its important to regualate the co2 flow so that it's on most of the time, this way it doesn't prematurely wear out your regulator valve. I only run the reactor while the lights are on so that it doesn't lower the ph in the tank while the lights are off. When the lights kick on the regulator turns on the gas and it doesn't shut off until the lights go out. It takes some tuning to get it just right but it makes a consistent flow leaving the reactor and my regualtor isn't turning on and off many times a day.

[Mike M.]

I found 6.3 with that particular combination worked well. Try it out. Test the water over a week and see if adjustment is necessary. You can also test the affluent to see if the kH is somewhere between 20-40 and then you could also test to see if there is a high magnesium content to the affluent to ensure you have the pH low enough that it is making both substrates work well.