DIY automated pH doser

[Bennyweed1]

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Most pH dosers on the market are so damn expensive but I have always wanted one.

I have been doing some research in the fish tank aquarium world and have found a meter that might be able to do what I want.

A Milwaukee MC122 and a low flow dosing pump.

Milwaukee MS122: http://www.milwaukeeinst.com/site/component/content/article/231

Price $120-130 shipped

3.5gph pump:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aqua-Lifter...376?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f298fdf88

Price $30

Why wouldnt this work? Granted there is no delay functions but I would attach the discharge tubing directly to the probe so it gets spiked reading causing the pump to turn off in small doses as pH solutuin dilutes in the water and even outs.

What do you all think? I am going to buy this stuff in the next two weeks and let everyone know if it works or not.

 

[FunkJungle]

 

[overbudjet]

why do you want control ph swing in your system.(PH swing are good at least for me.)

 

[Bennyweed1]

why do you want control ph swing in your system.(PH swing are good at least for me.)

I just want to control pH....on its own.

 

[Avinash.miles]

not a bad idea, i'd love to see you put it together at test it out... what size res would this be for?

 

[Bennyweed1]

not a bad idea, i'd love to see you put it together at test it out... what size res would this be for?

140 gallons total in a RDWC

 

[Stonefree69]

You have to get a rep for that Benny! I was looking for exactly the same. My pH is pretty steady, but that could just leave me with just mainly weekly res changes. I currently use 28 & 38-410 size hand dispensing pumps (got from Cajun Candles online w/bottles) on my gallon nutes & 32 oz pH Up & Down bottles into 5-100 ml graduated glass cylinders. 5ml per gallon RO water, I usually use about 5-15 ml adjustment every 1-4 days depending on what week I'm on.

 

[anon0988]

Check this out. I found it after researching the issue a bit, seem very similar to what you're doing and might help you some.

 

[Bennyweed1]

Check this out. I found it after researching the issue a bit, seem very similar to what you're doing and might help you some.

That is cool, the only problem I see is where the acid discharge tube is placed.

Its to far from the probe. This meter is not intended for the use we are asking it to do. Other controllers have a delay option, an example is when a actual pH monitor detects a change in pH it will discharge acid or base, and wait a set amount of time before adding more. This is done so you dont get a huge spike as the pH solution reaches the probe.

The Milwaukee MS122 does not do that but by placing the discharge tube directly on the probe it will shut off very quick as the pH solution dilutes in the reserv. and evens out. Granted it will probably turn on and off a couple times but you wont have it dumping in a pint of pH up before the base actually hits the probe.

Am I making sense here?

 

[anon0988]

That is cool, the only problem I see is where the acid discharge tube is placed.

Its to far from the probe. This meter is not intended for the use we are asking it to do. Other controllers have a delay option and a example is when a actualy pH monitor detects a change in pH it will discharge acid or base, and wait a set amount of time before adding more. This is done so you dont get a huge spike as the pH solution reaches the probe.

The Milwaukee MS122 does not do that but by placing the discharge tube directly on the probe it will shut off very quick and as the pH solution dilutes in the reserv. it will gradually change the over all pH. Granted it will probably turn on and off a couple times but you wont have it dumping in a pint of pH up before the base actually hits the probe.

Am I making sense here?

Yeah, makes sense. I'm guessing that's why the purpose built ones are expensive. Probably have PLCs and built in delays to let things even out before adjusting again.

 

[Bennyweed1]

Yeah, makes sense. I'm guessing that's why the purpose built ones are expensive. Probably have PLCs and built in delays to let things even out before adjusting again.

Perhaps they do have logic controls, or just some solenoid activated timers but personally I do not believe that old school technology justifies the $900+ price tag.

Its more or less just a niche item and the MFGs know they can charge that amount.

Kinda like whenever you need to rent a bartender for the night for a party, or the sorts, it cost for example $250 a night. Now if you take that same bartender and same night and say it is for a wedding it cost $1500.

Those niche circumstances will get ya every time.

 

[UNREGISTRD]

you can get the amhydro phdoser for 550$.. It works great.. Good equipment gives you more time in vegas!

 

[fatigues]

A ReefKeeper Aquarium controller will do all of this for you with a compatible doser (and a helluva lot more). Like so much when it comes to hydroponics, the technology re-purposed from its intended use in saltwater marine aquariums provides the optimal Cadillac solution - at a very considerable price.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquar...quatics-reef-keeper-aquarium-controllers.html

 

[Stonefree69]

A ReefKeeper Aquarium controller will do all of this for you with a compatible doser (and a helluva lot more). Like so much when it comes to hydroponics, the technology re-purposed from its intended use in saltwater marine aquariums provides the optimal Cadillac solution - at a very considerable price.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquar...quatics-reef-keeper-aquarium-controllers.html

pH and more, what more can you ask for?! Thanks fatigues, also have some of those credit points @ BRS. I like Marine Depot too, buy some RO stuff there.

 

[Stonefree69]

Those ReefKeeper Aquarium controllers are about the same price as a Bluelab Guardian multimeter. I kinda have it easy as I use a 5 gallon bucket with either pH up or down in it (veg or flower swings different ways up or down for me) already diluted @ 5ml/gallon RO water & my Dyna-Gro nutes with Pro-tekt keep pH pretty stable so I'm not chasing pH everyday. I use another 5 gallon bucket to pre-dilute all my nutes (during a weekly res change) next to my pH bucket on a sturdy 30" table for quicker nute changes. They are both gravity fed to my rez below w/1" plumbing & gate valves.

 

[watts]

BRS 2 part 1.1ml per minute doser pump and a Milwaukee MC122 pH controller is all you need

 

[Bennyweed1]

I ordered the supplies to put this together.

Stay tuned for an update. I should have everything on Wednesday.

 

[Bennyweed1]

All my supplies showed up today.

**DISCLAIMER**
By no means do I intend this example to be a one size fits all. Depending on your reserv. size and water capacity, you may have to tweak and alter accordingly to fit your profile.

What you need is a:

1). Milwaukee MC-122 pH Meter, that exact model number. It is the newest model with an option to either lower or higher the pH.

Price: $120 shipped

2). Aqua Lifter AQ-20 Dosing Pump

Price: $20 shipped

3). X amount of feet of standard airline tubing (fill X for your desired amount!!)

Price: Cheap as hell

Now the fun part. Putting it all together, brace yourself because it takes about 5 minutes..........of course that is after you calibrate the pH probe in the supplied solutions (although you should already own these!).

IMPORTANT
It is a good idea to prime the pump. Meaning get all the lines filled with solution and purged of any air. Running the pump in a recirculating fashion accomplishes this task.


Step 1.
Attach the pump discharge line to the Milwaukee MC-122 pH probe
Do not tape it! Find some rubber bands or twisty ties (like shown)

Step 1.1
IMPORTANT
Be sure to cut a 45 degree at the end of the discharge tubing. Doing this allows the buffering solution to contact the probe rapidly which makes the unit pulsate the pump. You want pulsating so you do not have a over dosing problem. This allows the unit to even out the overall pH slowly and steadily.

Step 2.
Plop that assembly into your reserv. like a doughnut

Step 3.
Place your supply line into your buffering solution. In this example I am using pH down because my pH tends to raise over a period of time.

Step 4.
Plug in the Milwaukee MC-122 and allow it to get a reading.

 

[Bennyweed1]

Step 5.
Adjust the threshold dial. I set mine to 5.9pH. Activation light will illuminate.

NOTE
To figure out the pH range using an analog dial it is useful to adjust dial first in a different body of water so don't accidentally taint your plant reserv. necessitating a flush

Step 6.
Now plug in the pump while the activation light is on.

Stp7.
Watch everything go to work

Initial dose drops down to 4.7pH

With in 5 seconds it will rise back up as the concentrated pH solution next to the pH probe begins to dilute.

And here it rest when everything evened out, a perfect 5.8pH.

Keep in mind the pump will pulsate on and off during this period if the solution rises above your benchmark.

Step 8.

forgetaboutit'
take a vacation or something, you never gotta dick around with pH again!


Feel free to post up any questions. I will try my best to answer them. I would like to get a handful of members to try this out and post their technique. This is a cheap and effective method of automating your pH.

 

[watts]

Nice, glad it's working for you. If the pump shuts off it will siphon all your pH solution if the pump doesn't have an anti siphon valve?

Pump seems pretty big for dosing pH, but it was cheap.