Calcium Reactor Issue

I'm having an issue with my calcium reactor when it's controlled by my APEX. Originally I had the programming and pH probe in the reactor, configured wrong, so that's why I'm just now noticing the issue.

I have my APEX programmed to turn on the Ca regulator solenoid when pH in the reactor is greater than 6.55. It's also set to turn solenoid off less than 6.49. My reactor has a Maxijet 1200 circulating the water in the reactor and a Maxijet 400 feeding water from the sump into the reactor. These both stay running when the solenoid is off. I'd need a second EB8 to connect those pumps too if I wanted/needed them to turn off (I really don't know how that part should work).

Now on to my problem. As of right now I have my solenoid set to one bubble per second when the solenoid is on. The problem is, when the solenoid is turned off by my APEX, and then back on by the APEX as per the programming, I'm getting no CO2 flow through the bubble counter. I have to manualy tweak the shut off valve to get the CO2 flowing again. The only time it works as advertised is when I accidentally left the shut off valve on the CO2 regulator wide open and it shot a ton of CO2 into the reactor, but it dropped the CO2 within a few seconds and the solenoid quickly shut off again. Is this normal? Should I have the CO2 turned up that high when running the solenoid off the APEX like that?

Any assistance or further info I can provide would be greatly appreciated. I'm at my wits in and ready to drop kick the whole tank out the door.

Edited by Snowsrfr - July 30 2011 at 1:17pm

Thanks. I'll give the regulator a check, and cleaning. You are talking about the regulator that controls bubble count correct? Not where the whole regulator attaches to the CO2 tank or the shut off valve that you close once bottle is attached, correct? At this point, I have to ask all the stupid questions, cuz I'm just beyond loss. Been fighting this reactor since I set it up! (All user error, of course)

Yes, that is correct. I had the exact same issue with my MA957, not sure if this is the model you're running. I was as frustrated as you sound and there is no stupid questions here! Vinegar may help as well.

Good Luck!

I just checked and it's plugged into outlet 8.

Gentleman Bean -- I've asked you before, but can you offer up a program for my Ca outlet. It currently reads:

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If pH2 > 06.55 Then ON
If pH2 < 06.49 Then OFF
Defer 000:30 Then ON

Right now my pH2 is reading 6.54 and the solenoid is off. Shouldn't it turn off below 6.49 according to the program?

Hmmm...I have an AC III, so not too sure what to suggest here...maybe reset the APEX and see if it starts to behave? Have you changed programming recently?

Here is my Ca reactor program. It looks exactly like yours but the only difference is that I turn off my solenoid when my Ca supply pump is off.

No problem man. Glad you got it working.