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Not relying on the solenoid to cut out the CO2 is just a matter of fine tuning the effluent flow rate & bubble count. Not so much related to the equipment used. In any case, i'm using the Apex Neptune to measure pH. Using a Milwaukee double junction pH probe. For CO2 solenoid, i'm using an Ocean Free dual gauge solenoid.

I'm Leon (not Eric). In any case, there are many ways to set up a calcium reactor. No one method is correct, so just adapt accordingly. My method is to sync up the flow rate to pH level and not rely on the solenoid to shut off the CO2 when the desired pH is reached. For a start, you can consider an effluent flow rate of about 40ml/min. Measure it. Then tune the CO2 bubble count to reach a target pH level. A good starting point is 6.8pH. Start measuring the KH levels of the tank. Maybe twice a day at the exact same time. If KH drops over a 24hr period, then make the effluent more concentrated by reducing the pH level. Do this until the lower limit of ~ 6.4pH is reached. If lower than this, the calcium reactor will tend to have too much bubbles internally. If the tank demand more kH, proceed to increase the effluent flow rate. You may need to increase the bubble count to maintain the pH level as well. If the tank demands less kH, then consider increasing pH or simply switch off the CO2 for a short period of time. Some folks say the effluent rate is difficult to control. I agree as well. Consider the Ecotech Versa peristaltic pump to feed water for the CR. Its not expensive compared to other peristaltic pumps out there & the value it provides - i.e. very good control over the effluent rate & makes tuning the CR a lot easier. For reference, below is my calcium reactor PH measurement (orange line) vs the KH measurement (blue line).

Last week's long weekend was great for getting some mini projects started. Managed to make a new lid for the external skimmate & waste water collector. Now it looks like this An external skimmate collector is extremely convenient. There are float switches inside to notify me when the bucket is full & also turn off the skimmer so it won't flood the place. The bucket is used for discharged Alkatronic waste water as well. Generally it is emptied once every few weeks. It used to look like this Long weekend project Top view. The ping pong ball is to allow air to leave the bucket as it is filled with water. And yet have a light seal to prevent smell from coming out. Above it is a compartment for activated carbon The grate at the bottom is a part purchased from Daiso Activated carbon. Dual float switch. The lower one is to notify me that the bucket is 'quite full'. Skimmer is not switched off. I'm only notified by email/warning light to empty the bucket. The skimmer will switch off only when the upper float switch is triggered (i.e. very full). This is the Apex neptune program for the skimmer Top view. All fixed up.