Questions about PH controller

[Friendly]

Well I finally got my Mil. SMS122 (Plus reg. bubble counter, etc) from aquatic-store.com. I was really happy that I didn’t have to pay any duty, only GST, PST, and a $5 handling fee . Anyway about the PH controller (I’m sry for the dumb question btw), can I rinse the electrode under tap water to get rid of the excess salt? It says that when the electrode is dry, I have to soak it in a special solution to reactivate it. I didn’t receive the activation solution I only got the calibration solution. Is there something else that I could use to reactivate the electrode?

Also is vinegar good to use when calibrating the controller? What else could I use instead of the PH7.0 solution? It says that I should recalibrate every month, would it better if I did sooner then that?

 

[ringfinger]

Not sure about reactivation...

I use packets of pH 7 solution and vinegar(pH 2.8 ) for calibration. You can use distilled water(7) or milk(6.7) from what I hear, but those have not been reliable for me. Every gallon of milk or water seems to be different. Vinegar works great. You should probably test once a month, but mine has never been off(3 months).

 

[Friendly]

Not sure about reactivation...

I use packets of pH 7 solution and vinegar(pH 2.8) for calibration. You can use distilled water(7) or milk(6.7) from what I hear, but those have not been reliable for me. Every gallon of milk or water seems to be different. Vinegar works great. You should probably test once a month, but mine has never been off(3 months).

I'm assuming you use vinegar when calibrating the slope of controller. I thought you needed to use something that has a PH of 4.0?

 

[Lonewolfblue]

You can just use tap water to rinse it off, that's what I did. Then use the ph 7.0 solution to calibrate it, then use distilled white vinegar to adjust the slope, to 2.8. You can use a 4.0 solution as well, but I prefer vinegar for the slope. You should also get a bottle of electrode cleaner. I got my ph 7.0 and cleaner both on Ebay pretty cheap.

I'm also going on about 3 months, and it's still dead on. Once a month I soak the electrode in the cleaner solution for a few minutes. But even if I didn't, would probably still be dead on.

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

LWB is correct. And make sure you adjust the slope (back of unit, it's a little hole..) or it will only read 7.0 accurately.

 

[Friendly]

You can just use tap water to rinse it off, that's what I did.

lol I thought that maybe tap water would have messed up the elctrode .

Then use the ph 7.0 solution to calibrate it, then use distilled white vinegar to adjust the slope, to 2.8. You can use a 4.0 solution as well, but I prefer vinegar for the slope. You should also get a bottle of electrode cleaner. I got my ph 7.0 and cleaner both on Ebay pretty cheap. I'm also going on about 3 months, and it's still dead on. Once a month I soak the electrode in the cleaner solution for a few minutes. But even if I didn't, would probably still be dead on.

I found the Ph 7.0 and cleaning solutions here: http://stores.ebay.com/AQUACAVE-Qua...QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQfsubZ15QQftidZ2QQpZ2QQtZkm should I also get the activation/conductivity solution as well?

LWB is correct. And make sure you adjust the slope (back of unit, it's a little hole..) or it will only read 7.0 accurately.

Yeah I was confused at first when I found the little screwdriver lol, but then I realized it was used for adjusting the slope on the back. So after I first calibrate the controller to 7.0 I'll then calibrate the controller/slope to 2.8.

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

Yes, and I would repeat a couple of times as the slope tends to adjust the calibration point..

I adjusted to 7.0, then slope to 2.8, then back in the 7.0 it was showing 6.7.. adjusted each 1 more time and it was accurate..

 

[Friendly]

Yes, and I would repeat a couple of times as the slope tends to adjust the calibration point..

I adjusted to 7.0, then slope to 2.8, then back in the 7.0 it was showing 6.7.. adjusted each 1 more time and it was accurate..

Ok will do! Thanks for the advice!

 

[Lonewolfblue]

All you need is a bottle of 7.0 solution and cleaning solution and distilled white vinegar. The cap on the bottles is like a little cup, which you pour some solution in and test with, then you dump the solution in the sink when done. A bottle will last you quite a while, maybe a couple years if testing monthly. Same with the cleaning solution, just put some in the little cup and let it sit in the solution for a few minutes. Just don't wipe the electrode end off with anything. When done cleaning, rinse in a little water, test with 7.0 and vinegar, calibrate if necessary, and place back in tank.

Edit:
The link you posted above is for aquacave on ebay. That's where I got my 2 bottles of solution, the exact same ones. The 7.0 and the cleaning solutions.

 

[Friendly]

All you need is a bottle of 7.0 solution and cleaning solution and distilled white vinegar. The cap on the bottles is like a little cup, which you pour some solution in and test with, then you dump the solution in the sink when done. A bottle will last you quite a while, maybe a couple years if testing monthly. Same with the cleaning solution, just put some in the little cup and let it sit in the solution for a few minutes. Just don't wipe the electrode end off with anything. When done cleaning, rinse in a little water, test with 7.0 and vinegar, calibrate if necessary, and place back in tank.

Awesome! I really appreciate the help!

Can't wait to start injecting pressurized Co2 into my tank .