anyone use ph computers?
- Thread starter messiner
- Start date
Depends on how much money you got layin around. I have seen them but solely on reef set-ups. Check out my pictures I posted in the photo lounge
I was in Italy and the Italians had some crazy computer controlled set-ups. Their set-ups ran between 14-1900 dollars.
I was in Italy and the Italians had some crazy computer controlled set-ups. Their set-ups ran between 14-1900 dollars.
I am assuming you are refering to a ph monitor or a ph controller.
The differance between a monitor and a controller is that a monitor only "moniters" the ph and displays the value on a small display read out (normally a led screen) where a controllor not only moniters and displays the value but also has the ability to trigger (turn on) a device to adjust the ph value to the desired level. For example, if you program your controller to maintain a ph value of 8.0 and you ph drops to lets say 7.8, the controler can turn on a pump to add ph buffer into your aquarium to correct the lower value or like wise if you ph get's higher than desired it can trigger co2 or add an acicifyier to your water. THis is a very over simplyfied explaination of how they operate but in a nut shell that's what they do.
I used a ph controller to run calcium reactors on reef tanks and am very happy with how they operate. On fish systems I use only a monitor so at a glance I always know what the ph value is. A good controller should be less than $500.00 (the octopus from aquadine is the controller I use) but milaukee makes a cheaper one that works well. For just monitoring, Pin Point from American Marine is a great model for ph as well as other water parameter monitoring, they are in the mid $100.00's. Most likley you could get one on Ebay for much less.
Joel
The differance between a monitor and a controller is that a monitor only "moniters" the ph and displays the value on a small display read out (normally a led screen) where a controllor not only moniters and displays the value but also has the ability to trigger (turn on) a device to adjust the ph value to the desired level. For example, if you program your controller to maintain a ph value of 8.0 and you ph drops to lets say 7.8, the controler can turn on a pump to add ph buffer into your aquarium to correct the lower value or like wise if you ph get's higher than desired it can trigger co2 or add an acicifyier to your water. THis is a very over simplyfied explaination of how they operate but in a nut shell that's what they do.
I used a ph controller to run calcium reactors on reef tanks and am very happy with how they operate. On fish systems I use only a monitor so at a glance I always know what the ph value is. A good controller should be less than $500.00 (the octopus from aquadine is the controller I use) but milaukee makes a cheaper one that works well. For just monitoring, Pin Point from American Marine is a great model for ph as well as other water parameter monitoring, they are in the mid $100.00's. Most likley you could get one on Ebay for much less.
Joel
For monitoring I like YSI products. I've used them for a few years. I've got the YSI 5200 watching things on my arapaima tank. I've also got a various hand held products from them for making transports and to use in the holding area.
Howdy,
IMO you don't need them in our hobby. Test strips are just as fine. It might be automated, but you still need to calibrate the instrument regularly, maintain the electrode etc. Some are hooked up to CO2 systems and so on, but that's not worth the money. I don't think I'd get one even if I won in the lottery....
HarleyK
IMO you don't need them in our hobby. Test strips are just as fine. It might be automated, but you still need to calibrate the instrument regularly, maintain the electrode etc. Some are hooked up to CO2 systems and so on, but that's not worth the money. I don't think I'd get one even if I won in the lottery....
HarleyK
so it doesnt electronically adjust the ph, it triggers the release of buffers into the tank....sound right?
AMEN!!!! We use electronic meters in the blood lab. Human blood.HarleyK said:
The darned things cost out the butt. You also have to use calibration fluids. Those are expensive too. I use test strips. If I question the result I do Q.C.. I go get another bottle of strips and compare results.