Great package deal but is my controler on the fritz?

[ReefUrchin]

Well, I got this package deal for $50. It consisted of a 2 tower 22" tall reacot, 2 36"? square reflectors, 1/4 chiller that needs a board (I will just controll it with a relay and a controller) ...whoot and a Octopus 2000 controller I had to go in and fix the switch on.

Well, suprise suprise the 2000 controller is acting funny. Ph is whacked so all I get is <<<<, lol but temp do some weird things also and is my first concern and the reason for this post.

What the temp does is will be at 79.1 which is right around where the mercury thermometer is. Then, it will drop to 78.1 and then run like a semi fast counter back up to 79.1.

Obviously something is up, but, could this just be normal or? I ask that in such a silly question because I am not familier with a controller or temp probe. I do not know if a temp probe can detect a cold current, say coming from the sump and hitting the probe, and adjust so fast. I thought they needed at lease a few seconds of stabalized temps? Maybe the controller is just whacked and why everything was $50 (which I am sure), lol? Is kind of a bummer because it is too old to buy a new temp probe to find out as it is so outdated I might as well buy something newer :( . It does have a wave maker function on it and I have 4 x10 modules with it, so......

[Fish_wiz2]

Can you calibrate the pH and temp probes? Maybe that will help. If not, the probes are probably bad. Try searching around for one, even used. Its a steal for $50, regardless of the temp and pH. Hope that helps, Wiz.

[ReefUrchin]

I have to calibrate the Ph at 4 and 7 then RO water but have not dont that yet. I will use my hand held to make the fluid.

As for the temp, it says you dont need to and I have reset the unit itself, so, I will do Ph this weekend and see if that sensor is any good.

[disc1]

Super classy thread title.

[Neptunes World]

Profanity? Thats profanity? Well gosh, darn shucks, mods please delete this thread, I didnt know we were a disney channel. I apologize Mr Rogers, I didnt mean to offend.

[vietnam]

LOL, guy is tripping. You still got a good deal.

Either the controller was a POS or your pH probe needs to be calibrated/replaced. The temp sensor probably needs to be replaced as its act erratically.

Good deal on the chiller, if it works. I would give it a test, I'm sure if you sold some of that stuff you would break even pretty quick.

[Neptunes World]

Well, I know its a family place, but, I didnt think it was THAT much of a Disney channel, but, okay, whatever.

I just tried to calibrate the Ph probe and it told me to go pound some saltwater sand and replace it.

I tried to calibrate the temp sensor and it reads the proper temp for 3-6 seconds, flakes out for a second and then goes back to reading normal. I need to find a fellow reefer and see if they have a ph probe to barrow.

The chiller had saltwater dripped on it and literally rusted out the controller boards resistors, transistors and such. I pulled the board and a LED fell out because the metal leeds rusted through, lol. I am going to try to unsolder everything, clean the board up, check all the traces for proper connectivity between components and put new resistors and such back in, then I will see what happens. Worst case scenario is I can run the compressor from a relay. That will let me run the chiller from the relay thats connected to the/a controller, if the compressor indeed work, but, I noticed the coils in the back have a lot of corrosion dust, I guess from the salt. I havnt really dug into it yet but I am hoping the salt has not ate through the coils. If so, oh well, I got the whole lot for the reactors. The rest was bonus toys.

[saf1]

probes are pretty cheap but I usually calibrate at 7 and 11. Controllers really don't go bad at least ones closed like you picked up.. Open source like my reef angel go nuts when I mod code and have typos...

so check probes and read their forums if the have any. Temp and PH probe is going to add to the cost and you don't want to throw good money after bad...