Has anyone automatically dosed 2-part (Ca/Alk) liquid?

[Nathan]

Has anyone had success with dosing a 2-part (Calcium/Alkalinity) liquid using automated dosing (ie, with pumps)?

I'm having a heck of a time with my calcium reactor (can't get a stable drip rate AND the ARM media is introducing phosphate to my tank). Also I have a 20g rubbermaid tub that I use for top off water and I usually put some kalkwasser in it to increase my calcium/alkalinity but it doesn't seem to do much.

I was thinking if I were to divide the 20g rubbermaid tub in half and mix NaHCO3 in one half and CaCl2 in the other half then I could set my dosing pumps to dose alkalinity and calcium separately.

Does this sound like a Rube Goldberg Contraption or do you think that it could actually work?

-Nathan

PS Rube Goldberg definition: http://www.elook.org/dictionary/rube-goldberg.html
Definition:
[noun] United States cartoonist who drew intricate diagrams of very complicated and impractical contraptions that accomplished little or nothing (1883-1970)

 

[fishy-doc]

you could always try the small ~1500ml kent aquadose deals, I have used them in the past and they worked out great

 

[Orochimaru]

I did. I got a peristalic pump. can run up to ten diff. lines for 10 diff. solutions. I had it on a timer. Accuracy equal to 0.5ml, got it from the lab i work at. I can veryfy the accuracy because I qualified it with calibrated stop watch and vol.flask. Only draw back is all the line run at the same speed so the only way to dose diff. concentration of dif. things is for me to dilute them to them concentrations.

 

[Nathan]

tetra,

How did it work out for you as a solution to replenishing calcium and alkalinity?

How much does a pump like that cost? What size of resivoir did you use to keep your solutions in?

 

[funkyman]

I use an Aqua Medic Reef Doser. They have models from single all the way up to quadruple. Mine's a double.

 

[Orochimaru]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7022682#post7022682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nathan
tetra,

How did it work out for you as a solution to replenishing calcium and alkalinity?

How much does a pump like that cost? What size of resivoir did you use to keep your solutions in?

it works fine because I just drop the lines straight into the 1-gal. containers that b-ionic come in and dose.

If I have to guess I think the pump cost about 1200 or so...I got for free because they didn't need it anymore.

 

[Sullivmw]

Nathan,

I use a Litermeter III, really any dosing pump will work that use multiple pumps. I have mine setup to run to both containers, and might even add a 3rd for mag supplement.

At first I was worried with the idea to not add calc before the Alk, but the pumps seems to work in enough different time slots that I never had the solution precip out.

 

[LOTUS50GOD]

I have the litermeter 3 also with multiple pumps..... works well

 

[jimbo045]

It does not seem that critical. I just use PurpleUp for both. JD

 

[Nathan]

"PurpleUp" -> I've never heard of that before. What is it?

 

[RevHtree]

Sorry a bit off topic, but I can get one of those medical dosers for free right now. Just one.

How does this actually work for a reef set up? Can you lay out say dripping kalk. Thanks.

 

[Sullivmw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7023618#post7023618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RevHtree
Sorry a bit off topic, but I can get one of those medical dosers for free right now. Just one.

How does this actually work for a reef set up? Can you lay out say dripping kalk. Thanks.

Medical dosers can work well, but some can be on the noisy side. With just 1 pump, you will want to get a mixing container, like a Brute garbage can, mix up enough water for 1-2 weeks, put in your pickling lime (Kalk poweder), mix well, once settled, let it pull out of the container.

 

[swhastan]

I've tried, but my problem was that I needed to shake two part solution frequently. Otherwise, too weak solutions are supplied to the tank because most of calcium and alkalinity are in the down side of containers. Does anyone solve this problem?

 

[Nathan]

swhastan,

> most of calcium and alkalinity are in the down side of containers

Are you sure about this? Once CaCl2 or NaHCO3 is mixed up in solution it becomes aqueous (dissolved) and cannot separate (in the same way that salt when mixed with water won't separate even if you leave it for a long long time).

-Nathan

 

[Sullivmw]

Agree, once mixed up real well, there should not be an issue. I know I leave mine for at least 2-3 weeks, and never had an issue.