NEED HELP Please-anyone using Marine Pinpoints PH Controller

If anyone is using the American Marine Pinpoint Controller with thier calcium reactor PLEASE reply to this thread.
I have this unit;

American Marine Pinpoint pH Controller

and I need some help

Please and Thanks in advance!!

 

What do you need to know? I have the same controller.

 

Just curious how you have it set up. I spent time with tech support in setting the high and low values, but was curious as to what your effluent was coming out of your reactor before hooking up the controller( if that even matters, I'll explain below).

I had my effluent at about 40KH and then I hooked up the controller with a high range of 6.6 and a low range of 6.2. The solenoid was not turning off and on when those values were getting hit and their tech guy told me crank the bubble the count up. This made the unit turn the solenoid on and off as it hit those set values but it was going on/off, so frequently I figured that was wrong. It would turn on the solenoid and 15 seconds later it was off, maybe a minute went by and on again, same story over and over-this did not seem right to me.

The tech guy said it did not matter what the bubble count was since it was the controller telling the solenoid when to turn on and off.

He definitely knew his stuff but he talked fast and above my knowledge (at that time). With that happening, I did not even use the controller, I removed the probe from the inline holder I have and put it into my sump now I use it as an over priced ph monitor.

I have my reactor running on a timer and it keeps my tanks Ca and KH exactly were I want them but I would like to use the controller for what it was designed for.

My questions I would be interested in knowing;
1. What your KH level was before hooking up the controller?
2. Where do you have your high/low values set?

It was really the fact that the solenoid kept going on and off so frequently that just did not seem right. Granted who am I to know, I thought it was odd that I spent a few days in getting my effluent correct according to my reactor and then the tech guy tells me "crank it up" because "the bubble count does not matter, that's why you got the controller"

My answer was "I guess"

I have bought a new probe and have read that an old probe can mess with the readings.

Can you shed any light on the matter.

Thanks a bunch

Brad

 

Bump for a little help

 

My questions I would be interested in knowing;
1. What your KH level was before hooking up the controller? I never used my CA RX without the controller, but the last I tested the effluent was close to 20 KH.

2. Where do you have your high/low values set? 6.6 to 6.9 I try to stay this high so I do not melt my media.

My bubble count is like a bubble every second maybe little slower. I have not touched it since hooking up the reactor. The probe is in the top of my reactor. If my Alk or Ca are straiting to drop I just up the amount of effluent out of the reactor. Did you calibrate the new probe?

One thing I do not get is how cranking the bubble count up with make the solid work? It will make it turn off and on faster since your feeding more CO2 to the reactor. Which too much can cause problems.

What is your effluent PH with your timer hooked up? Than make your controller turn on and off based on that. Hope this helps.

 

Also here ia good link about CA reactors

A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors by Simon Huntington - Reefkeeping.com

 

I have read that, I dont have any issues with my reactor, I am using it as anyone would who does not own a controller.

Its that stupid controller I'm had issues with, or to rephrase I'm stupid and dont get the controller-

So I see you have the high and low values on your controller set to 6.9 and 6.6 respectively-is this correct?

and your effluent coming out of your reactor is 20KH, is this while the controller is adding Co2 or without it adding Co2?

Lastly what levels is the reactor keeping your tank stable at and what is your PH consistant at?

My KH -11-12
Ca 450
ph 8.17

without using the controller

 

The PH in my reactor is PH 6.8 the Alk 48 ppm or 26.2 dkh.

Tank

Ca 390 - 410
Alk - 7 to 8
PH 8.1 to 8.4

I have good growth and colors on all my SPS. Remember do not chase numbers! Just keep them stable.

 

I myself have ran Carbonate reactors with and with out a controller for many many yrs , I'd rather just use a bubble count , And as for Pin Point IMO they simply suck , Now if it where me I'd set it for 6.4 and let it be . Allow it to run a week then test the water levels and then adjust the gas rates with up or down until you dial it in. As for what you feel is to much cycling on and off matters not thats what its supposed to do . Mine would click on and off several times a minuet depending on demand and reactors internal Ph swings.

Every tweak you do it will take up wards of a week to see the effect of that tweak , This is why so many get in trouble while using a Ca Reactor that is really more of a Carbonate reactor rather then Calcium ..

The effluent rate is part of the deal as is the type media you use in the reactor and then the Ph.. I simply use mine at 33 Bubbles per minuet and its just fine for a few months then the animal demand requires it to be increased once or so a yr .

Set it forget , it pay no attention to the effluent hardness levels what its supposed to do is to the aquariums water at total saturation of Ca and thats the by product of keeping the Carbonates up . after your last tweak give it 7 days then adjust again if needed ?

 

Well after reading that I should just stay the route I'm on and use it as a PH monitoe that I paid 110.00 to much for-contrller is 200.00 monitor is 90.00

I'll wait to see if other chime in-I order the probe holder part I needed so it wont be here until MOnday anyway.
I'll do more "Googling"
Thanks for the reply