Dosing alk with doser

ricwilli · Apr 24, 2012

I have taken down my CA reactor ever since my tank crash and have been dosing alk manually. I'm looking into a doser to do this job. Currently I'm dosing 1.5ml a day. I would like to know from people who uses a doser, if they have to constantly clean the output of the hose where the alk comes out cause of the alk encrustation.

Thanks

Sunny · Apr 24, 2012

I am using BRS dosing pumps. I do have to cut off a 1/4 inch tubing every two/three weeks. I have seen it is better if the dosing tubing is facing down into my sump rather than being horizontal.

spotter · Apr 24, 2012

I am still using dosing pumps on my 80g but will be taking them down once I can combine systems and use the ca reactor. I have noticed the same thing as Sunny mentioned so make sure the tube is faced down. I have also noticed that you have to lubricate the rubber piston every few months otherwise nothing will be dosed....found this out the hard way.

ricwilli · Apr 24, 2012

Do the BRS doser do a good job from preventing siphoning when the tubing is facing down into the sump?
Steve, I'm guessing that you have BRS dosers as well?

spotter · Apr 24, 2012

ricwilli said:
Do the BRS doser do a good job from preventing siphoning when the tubing is facing down into the sump?
Steve, I'm guessing that you have BRS dosers as well?

there's no siphoning at all. I have both the brs and drews pumps. they are very similar.

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arvin · Apr 25, 2012

I use GHL standalone doser and love them. No issues whatsoever. I do have the tubing placed vertically.

sjfishguy · Apr 25, 2012

Is that a typo? 1.5mL PER DAY? Which product? You mean 1.5mL per gallon per day right? And I also have the precipitate build up on the end of the alk tube, but I have never messed with it and it doesn't seem to be a problem?

ricwilli · Apr 25, 2012

Good catch sjfishguy. I meant 1.5 oz per day.

Hey Arvin, where did you get the GHL from? How it working for you?

Sunny · Apr 25, 2012

I think he meant 1.5/ml per minute.

sjfishguy · Apr 25, 2012

Still, 1.5oz per day in a 300g tank is nothing, why are you even bothering with dosing?

downbeach · Apr 25, 2012

I'm doing about 20 ml (4 tsp.) per day in a 180.

ricwilli · Apr 25, 2012

sjfishguy said:
Still, 1.5oz per day in a 300g tank is nothing, why are you even bothering with dosing?

Can you please explain to me where is the alk suppose to come from if I do not dose?

spotter · Apr 25, 2012

sjfishguy said:
Still, 1.5oz per day in a 300g tank is nothing, why are you even bothering with dosing?

1.5 oz is equivalent to about 45 ml a day and if he has a light load in the tank that could be plenty.

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sjfishguy · Apr 26, 2012

For some reason I was thinking that there were 15mL per ounce, but yeah, you are right 30mL to an ounce. To answer your question people that have a light demand like you seem to have, get away with alk replenishment from water changes alone. But at 45mL per day in such a large volume, you are right, it probably better to dose.

arvin · Apr 26, 2012

ricwilli said:
Hey Arvin, where did you get the GHL from? How it working for you?

I got it brand new from a guy in MR since he wasn't planning to use it. I believe I paid like $350 at that time. I know they are expensive but they worked very well for me. You calibrate it once and never have to tinker with it.

downbeach · Apr 26, 2012

downbeach said:
I'm doing about 20 ml (4 tsp.) per day in a 180.

Sorry, for some reason I was thinking about Kalk. :dejection: