Auto Dosing Method....an alternative to CA REACTORS

[dvanacker]

After reading methods of automating dosing with peristaltic pumps I came up with an idea that I think would would well and be a cheap alternative to expensive dosing pumps and ca reactors.

I already know people are having good results with dosing pumps and using a 2 part (alk/calc) or 3 part (magnesium). I have read of people mixing up 1-3 months worth at a time ...set it up and forget it similar to a ca reactor.

Ok now for my idea.....what about using an aqualifter pump as the doser. I know these have been used with kalkwasser with success and do not clog easily. They are cheap as well(14bucks). However they run at about 3gph which is too fast for the application, plus you would need to be able to adjust it. Well what if you put the aqualifter on a cheap digital timer that could go off and on 7-14 times a day. Spreading out the dosing, automating the dosing, and stabilizing the tank through out the day.

I currently run a ca reactor so I haven't had the incentive to try it out but I see no reason for it not to work.

 

[twon8]

an aquacontroller will allow you to make the minute adjustments necessary to keep them balanced and keep up with demand. I have used the aqualifters, and they do clog from kalk, it just takes a few weeks. I think the best way is to put two aqualifters on the same timer so they run concurrently. You would just have to put the outputs at seperate locations so they don't cause precipitation.

 

[accord86]

Sounds like a pretty decent alternative. How constant do you think the flow rates of these are? You're obviously not going to get the accuracy of a dosing pump, but if they are somewhat constant they would probably work very well. Maybe you could use some kind of cheap airline valve to slow the flow down. Or you could dilute the suppliments to adjust for your needs.

 

[Orochimaru]

However they run at about 3gph which is too fast for the application, plus you would need to be able to adjust it. Well what if you put the aqualifter on a cheap digital timer that could go off and on 7-14 times a day. Spreading out the dosing, automating the dosing, and stabilizing the tank through out the day.

or you can dilute out the solution with RO water. You would still be dosing 3 gph but there would be less kalk or whatever you are dosing. This might be too much topoff so a time would work combine with dilution of the solution of interest.