MRC reactor - where does the ph go?

[thanh386]

Ummm am I missing parts or I can't seem to find a place to stick my ph probe?

 

[seth the wine guy]

Raj can tell you where to stick it.

 

[dawgface]

Probably need to have them drill you one.

 

[thanh386]

Ok, cause everyone is telling to use a cup...

 

[seth the wine guy]

With a cup wouldn't the PH reading be skewed since it has so much air contact opposed to an enclosed/internal PH probe in the reactor itself?

 

[thanh386]

I am not sure. But a lot of ppl on reef central are using it this way. I expected it to come with a place on the lid like my GEO

 

[seth the wine guy]

You should ask Raj. I'm sure there's a reason behind it. I know the pressure built up so much in my GEO that it shattered one of my PH probes. The little sensor part at the tip.

 

[acroholic]

Hate to say it, but at the time when that was made, a pH probe holder in the lid was an extra cost option. No reason other than that. The first to buy that reactor did not elect to pay the extra $20 or whatever to get a probe port put in the lid.

How do I know? Because I had MRC do that when I bought my first calcium, reactor from them in 2008.

You might contact SEA and have them put a probe holder in the lid for you, or just use the cup option you mentioned. They both work the same. You could also DIY it...shouldn't be that hard. MRC has gone to retail only to the best of my knowledge, so you have to go through a LFS now.

Actually, the DIY way might not be too easy. IIRC, the probe holder is threaded, so it is not s simple drill and glue deal. The lid hole needs to be threaded, I think. May be something to have SEA do for you.

 

[thanh386]

I will bring the lid to SEA on Tuesday than. Im not the best DIY when it comes to drilling. I'll shatter the lid before the bit even gets half way thru. Thanks Dave.

 

[nholderried65]

told you..

i used a cup for awhile and i got the same reading as in the reactor... its just not as nice looking and takes up more room

 

[thanh386]

nholderried65;790135 wrote: told you..

i used a cup for awhile and i got the same reading as in the reactor... its just not as nice looking and takes up more room

Pftt says mr " I blew up my reactor because I was too cheap the buy the right parts"

 

[nholderried65]

i didnt blow it up lol....when i get my new one i may just for the fun of it.

 

[gmpolan]

Yep had to do the same with all my mrc reactors....

 

[acroholic]

The CO2 diffuser pipe that goes down the middle of the chamber (lotsa holes drilled in it) used to cost extra as well. Back in the day if you got the diffuser pipe and the ph probe lid port I think it cost an extra $45-$50 total. Not sure if that stuff is standard now or not?

 

[sewer urchin]

I don't know if it will help or not but it might buy you some time till you get the top drilled and tapped

I used an 1/2inch John Guest Tee on the effluent line... line from the reactor to one side of the tee, plug the probe into the tee, line to the tank ( I'm gonna run it to a second chamber that holds more reactor media, hopefully will buffer the effluent a little). All of 3 dollars at the Depot

If you like the steal the idea, I will happy to a frag from all to avoid trademark infringement ; )

 

[skriz]

Your reactor is really old; it's from the time when the probe holder was optional (controllers were not the norm back then).

All new MRC reactors come standard with a probe holder and MRC spray-bar.