Troubles with the PH-201

[albertjan.smilda]

Hi everybody.
I am having some troubles with the PH 201 controller. I recently bought a new probe and calibrated it the proper way I think. Now it starts running CO2 without problems. But it does not stop. When I switch the set button suddenly my PH drops on the controller and then it shuts down the CO2. I really dont know what the problem is! And I dont want the manually control the co2 when I have a controller.
Thanks in advance!

 

[ian_m]

Sounds like electrical interference issue a very common issue with hobby grade equipment.

Try running your controller setup with all other electrical items unplugged, lights, pumps etc and see if it makes any difference to pH reading. If it does, try plugging in each bit of equipment one by one until you determine which bit is causing interference.

Remember most people don't use pH controllers here (as they are a great way of growing algae), you are much better off using a timer, bubble counter and drop checker to set CO2 levels.

 

[albertjan.smilda]

I did have some ellectric issues earlier when i used this controller. Thanks to a broken bottomheating line my tank was under light currence but destroyed my ph probe.
The reason for my ph controller is that i have a serieus bba issue. I think my flow is correct. Light are on 8 hours a day so the last thing i think it is is an unstable co2 level.

 

[ian_m]

Thanks to a broken bottomheating line my tank was under light currence but destroyed my ph probe.

Possible, at least you are aware of electrical interference issues. One member reported a pH change of over one unit depending where he located his probe in the tank. Try the probe in calibrated solutions to see what it reads, generally two solutions pH4 and pH 6.8 for instance.

Yes BBA can be caused by CO2 fluctuation, very common for a pH controller being the cause by inducing CO2 variations and incorrect CO2 levels. Luckily usually under estimates CO2, due to kH, so you don't kill your fish, but will suffer BBA issues. Remember your controller is measuring pH NOT CO2 concentration. pH depends on may other things, not just CO2 level, kH of incoming water, acids leaking from undernourished plants, alkali's (ammonia) from rotting food, fish poo, dead fish, rotting plants, your substrate.....etc etc. Also can't be used with soft water, generally kH below 4, though some people report 7-8 being the minimum and will suffer huge CO2 levels swings.

In my experience BBA can also be caused by over feeding (as well), my fish feeder fell apart (incorrectly assembled ) and dumped a large amount of food into the tank and was a while before I noticed. Within days BBA appeared everywhere. Got rid on BBA by dipping all the plants in dilute solution of liquid carbon as well cleaning tank & large water changes and kept on top of CO2 and lighting.