Alk doser crusting problem, any solutions

[plankton99]

I use a profilux doser and dose Cal, Alk and Mg. The Alk tube clogs up in a day or so and I have to manually remove the crust from the tip of the tube.

I tried placing the tube output end directly into the water and it still clogged up about 12 inches up the tube!

Does anyone have a solutions to this phenomemon? See photo below...

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_2_I8QpQkYbN_3HULauhddMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nFLHFZCxcwM/T1V8zGwk4-I/AAAAAAAADlo/g6hP1xu7Zao/s800/crust.JPG" height="800" width="630" /></a>

 

[jon99]

Only thing I can think of is try diluting the alk and compensate by running the dosing pump more often or for longer periods of time. I does alk and cal the same way through similar size tube and don't have this problem. I do keep the dosing solution diluted down though.

 

[bertoni]

I agree that diluting the solution might help. Other than that, I don't have any ideas.

 

[Met3112]

This was happening to me also. I tried putting it in the water and that didn't help. What you need to do is get the end of the tube up high enough so there is absolutely no water splashing on it.

I tied the end of my tubes (cal, alk, mag) higher above my sump with a zip-tie. I have not had to unclog them yet and its been about 3 months. I used to have to do it every other day or so.

 

[shaggss]

Use a hard plastic tube a the end and cut it on an angle. This works for me!

 

[ek9vboi]

Use a hard plastic tube a the end and cut it on an angle. This works for me!

Great advice. I cut up some hard air line tubing yesterday but didn't think to cut the tips at an angle to prevent stuff like this.

 

[vijaym85]

I have the same profilux doser and I also experience this. I have not figured out a solution other than cleaning every few days. I dose ESV B-ionic. Cutting the tube at a sharp angle sounds interesting, maybe it can help buy me a few extra days till it needs to be cleaned. I do think that over time it probably will crust over though if it's not been diluted
check out this article it may explain things for you
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.php

 

[plankton99]

With hard tubing cut at an angle, it might be harder to squeeze out the crust. Maybe a combo of hard tubing and more dilution will work.

 

[shaggss]

it does slowly crust up but takes a couple of weeks though it is very easy to remove because of the hard tubing.

Dilution sounds like a good idea but I will be starting Kalk soon.