Dosing

[Jeff Rehling]

I inspected my airline tubing coming from my dosing pump and found the last 8” were blocked by crusty white stuff. I am dosing B-Ionic for Alka

 

[Bruce Spiegelman]

Yep. It happens often. YOu need to check them weekly.

 

[Coral reefer]

I’ve not had this happen before actually.

 

[treylane]

I've seen buildup over long (~6mo) timescales when not managing splashback very well - they do need to be checked once in awhile. If the ca / alk lines are fairly far out of the water and not getting splashed by saltwater or the opposite dosing pump it should be minimal.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Where is that last 8 inches of tubing? Jess is hinting at why I think there might be problems, you didn't submerge the tubes into the tank did you?

 

[Jeff Rehling]

the tube was under water in the sump. i see they shouldn't be submerged. lesson learned

 

[Bruce Spiegelman]

the tube was under water in the sump. i see they shouldn't be submerged. lesson learned

Yep. I've seen that crash tanks when a back siphon is started.

 

[Bruce Spiegelman]

I’ve not had this happen before actually.

You haven't seen alk crust at the end of the tube and then block it off if not removed and checked?

 

[Jeff Rehling]

the doser is well above the level of the sump, but i will buy a tube holder this weekend

 

[Coral reefer]

You haven't seen alk crust at the end of the tube and then block it off if not removed and checked?

I’ve seen it at the end, but never in the tube.

 

[rygh]

I have had mine clog as well. Same with tubes for auto-water-exchange.
Seems to help if they are further from water, so less moisture. Which seems backwards somehow.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Wonder if you couldn't tee them into your ATO so when that goes (presumably at least once a day) all the lines get flushed out, it's be a hideous octopus mess of tubing, but might be interesting to say the least.

 

[rygh]

Wonder if you couldn't tee them into your ATO so when that goes (presumably at least once a day) all the lines get flushed out, it's be a hideous octopus mess of tubing, but might be interesting to say the least.

Hmm, interesting idea.
Since pumps are peristaltic, no need to worry about back pressure or check valves.

Definitely can't combine the Alk and CA dosing tubes though.
So it means you can really only have one that is flushed. But CA is usually fine anyway.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Hmm, interesting idea.
Since pumps are peristaltic, no need to worry about back pressure or check valves.

Definitely can't combine the Alk and CA dosing tubes though.
So it means you can really only have one that is flushed. But CA is usually fine anyway.

Well I was thinking of separating the ATO into 3 separate lines (4 way tee connection?) then put check valves on them should be fine since it's all pure water, then each of those 3 lines goes into one of the dosing tubes.

 

[jccaclimber]

Clogs at the end if they get splashed on are not uncommon. Splash prevention, generally by elevation totally resolves this.
I’ve had a couple clogs in line so bad I had to throw the line away. Causes are: mixing up calcium and alk in one container, then trying to pump the precipitation or gel through the line, leaving the end of the line under water, and putting in too strong/poorly mixed powder in to the line so that it precipitates and forms a solid chunk in the line.
If you fully mix your chemicals, keep them in the correct container, and put the outlet in a place that stays clean you will never have any of these issues.

 

[Flagg37]

Wonder if you couldn't tee them into your ATO so when that goes (presumably at least once a day) all the lines get flushed out, it's be a hideous octopus mess of tubing, but might be interesting to say the least.

That’s a great idea. I’ll have to steal it.

 

[jccaclimber]

That’s a great idea. I’ll have to steal it.

Careful where you tee in. Otherwise you’ll change your dosing amount or timing. Not a huge deal until the 2 part in both alk and Ca lines ends up getting flushed to the tank at the same time when the ATO runs.