A new ACIII

[DJS819]

I just upgraded to an Oceanic 175 Bow front three weeks ago. I LOVE my new tank and the wife has begun to accept the size! Anyway, while I had my old tank for several months I admit that I really didn't/don't know all I need to. SO, I figured the best way to figure out what I'm doing is to get the data and find ways to control the parameters. I ordered an ACIII and received it this evening. I also ordered the temp. PH and ORP probes.

First off, WHY don’t they tell you that when you buy a PH probe you need to order the calibrating solution? I placed the probe in the sump, but I know I cant really trust the numbers. Is there any place local that sells the calibrating solutions?

Second, my parameters are currently Temp 79.2, PH 8.45 and ORP 180. My salinity is about 1.023. I know from reading that to raise the ORP you inject ozone, but I just don't have an ozone generator yet. Any other newbie ways to raise this number?

I havent even hooked up the DB8 and started that programming so I don't even know what I'll find there, but I've read all of the programs I've seen online here on ReefCentral and Reef Chat so I'm sure I can work my way through that.

Any suggestions?

THANKS
David

 

[DaveJ]

@DJS819 wrote:

Franks Tanks has some I believe up by the register. I am sure True Perc carries it as well. You can also order it online from Marine Depot. Just make sure you get both the 7.0 solution and the 10.0 solution as you will need both. Buy extra packs too and wash the probe in RO/DI betweenn dips. It will add to your accuracy by not polluting the fluid.

Why do you need it? Because all probes need to be calibrated as do the controllers. No two will ever match, so you have to set it to be able to rely on the numbers. You should re-calibrate every few weeks just to make sure it stays accurate as well. The lab grade probes stay in tune longer, but the normal probes are just fine for what we use them for in our tanks.

Your ORP probe will take a week or so to settle. The number you see now will change and gradually go up. I wouldn't worry about ORP right now though as its one of those parameters that unless you are running SPS or some species tanks, you rarely need to worry about. Don't get into ozone until you are more experienced and educated on your tank, its needs and water chemistry requirements. Its not something to toy with as you can kill a lot of things with it quickly.

Contact Ashlar or wait for him to post here. He and a few others are quite handy on the programming.

Couple of things to be aware of with the AC3. When you calibrate your pH probe, put the ORP, Temp and PH probe into the solution at the same time. For some reason, electrical most likely, they recommend it. Its in the manual and I think it varies from model to model, meaning the AC3 Pro, AC3, ACJr.

Do not put any low power pumps or equipment on the DC8. Its a soft shut-off and there have been problems with equipment not shutting off properly with them. Things such as dosing pumps, powerheads and the like have a history of this. Consider purchasing a DC4HD for any heavy duty equipment as well, such as heaters, chillers and lights. I have lights on my DC8, but have been told its better to have them on the DC4HD. The DC4HD is also good for the low power stuff as they have a hard shut off.

Position your DC8 or DC4's well away from any water or anywhere they may get splashed on.

Once you get things going, if you have wireless in your home for internet, we can also help you be able to login via the web into your controller. If you see the signatures, like mine below, we can also tie it into your account here so others can see how your tank is doing Its a toy, but its cool to have. It also makes programming and such easier if you can login directly from your computer rather than plugging directly into the unit.

 

[bimmerzs]

@DaveJ wrote:

Dave didn't they rectify this with the new DC8's, I thought I read something in the manual about using slot's 4 and 8 for these specific applications. I coulda been dreaming this up also. :lol: :lol:

Cheers,

 

[DaveJ]

@bimmerzs wrote:

Dave didn't they rectify this with the new DC8's, I thought I read something in the manual about using slot's 4 and 8 for these specific applications. I coulda been dreaming this up also. :lol: :lol:

Cheers,"]

Possible! I haven't seen/read the new specs on it. Just going off of previous experience and threads. If they did this, that is good news. If you can confirm it that would be great.

 

[slallen]

The putting the temp and ph probe in the calibration solution is necessary if you have temp compensation on. Putting the ORP probe in is not necessary. At least it is not my manual. Maybe something has changed.

 

[DaveJ]

@slallen wrote:

Steve, I think it may be a newer thing with them but I've gone through this with Neptune itself twice, Frank has as well. Even with temp comp off, they still recommend you put them in the solution. Now the ORP probe may or may not be model specific, but he had me do mine while trouble shooting and finalizing a probe that was being difficult. It was quite crowded in the solution with two pH probes, the temp and ORP sensors/probes as well. I do have temp comp turned off.

Neptune said that they do put it in the manual, so maybe its the newer ones or some such.

 

[DJS819]

Well I got the PH probe calibrated (Frank is the only LFS that I found with calibration fluid) and I've got the internet access set and the controller running my lights. Now I just have to work on heating , chilling and alarms. Dang the program seems simple until you try and plagiarize someone else’s work and make it fit your environment! This aint COBOL!

Thanks for the feedback and info. Onward through the fog!

David

 

[Ashlar]

Feel free to post it for critique