I never used kalk before, and i want to dose 1 gal over 24hrs. So I was looking for a dosing pump for this. I think(if my math is correct) I need to dose 157ml/hr to equal 1gal/24hrs. I will top off the rest of the make-up water with a float valve. the only thing i found that will dose this amount is a feeding pump. So, my questions are, has anyone used a medical feeding pump before? and does my math add up?
trying to use kalk with feeding pump
- Thread starter draczka2
- Start date
blanden.adam
Team RC
you're math is fine. I can't comment on the suitability of enteral feeding pumps in this application, however, it would probably be be much easier and less expensive to just use a dosing pump and a timer or a high quality combination pump and head unit. If you were in the market for something accurate, powerful, and price isn't an object, I'd get the LiterMeter III. According to people who own it, it's pretty much the best thing since sliced bread.
Alternatively, you could just decrease the concentration of your kalk, and dose it for all of your makeup water, titrating the concentration of kalk until you get your parameters stable.
Alternatively, you could just decrease the concentration of your kalk, and dose it for all of your makeup water, titrating the concentration of kalk until you get your parameters stable.
mr.maroonsalty
New member
I used a drip set with an aqualifter for a few years. A drip set is used to set the rate iv fluids are administered in a much less sofiaticated way than the Enteral pump. It required tweaking, and would occasionally clog shut because of the small drip from the 1/8" tube, but for less than $15 for years of service, it was worth the pita to me.
the feeding pumps i looked at are less than $100 and no additional timers would be needed, but my concern is durability, and dependability of these units. also thanks for backing up my math. i want to keep kalk separate from make water so evaporation rate can fluctuate due to seasonal changes but keep my levels stable. at least that's the idea.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
You're WAAAY overthinking this. Kalkwasser/ limewater should be used as makeup water. Use a dosing pump or dose by hand.
kcrush4989
New member
Toms aqua lifter and a dual float switch. This is what I use with my reef keeper. Works great with no problems. Just test to see how much lime to at to the ro water. Easy, simple and cheap.
Peristalic pumps are available for less than $100 and dose from 1.1ml per minute and up used with a muli position timer you can get the 1 gallon you want. I don't know what kind of feeding pump you mean.
The tom's aqualifter noted in a post is a diaphram pump now about $20 . It's fast at 3.5 gallons per hour and wuld be hard to use for 1 gallon spread over 24 hours.
Personally I prefer to dose kalk independent of top off but dose enough so that its about 99% of my daily top off.
The tom's aqualifter noted in a post is a diaphram pump now about $20 . It's fast at 3.5 gallons per hour and wuld be hard to use for 1 gallon spread over 24 hours.
Personally I prefer to dose kalk independent of top off but dose enough so that its about 99% of my daily top off.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
of course you wouldn't evaporate one gallon one day and three the next.
BUT IF IT HAPPENED
And calcium and alkalinity was affected... SO WHAT?
Calcium and alkalinity fluctuates EVERY DAY in a reef aquarium.
You are WAAY over thinking this. Keep it simple.
SkiFletch
New member
If you want a super-low flow pump that won't get clogged, lasts forever and requires no maintenance, you're going to have to pay for it. The good news is the commercial swimming pool industry has created just such a pump. A metering piston pump. Some adjust both stroke and speed, while others speed only. LMI makes a great series of these pumps and you can find them on ebay. Usually in the $100-200 depending on the flow. I wouldn't reccomend a used one, as who knows what chemicals it was used for prior, these things are used to dose pool cholorine (sodium hypocholorite) and all manner of nasty chemicals. They're HEAVY beefy stainless steel pumps that laugh at chemicals more caustic than limewater. You don't drip, the outlet goes directly into your sump, or return line. Because the pump is sealed and you add directly without dripping, they don't clog.
More expensive than peristaltic, a little more "know how" required to plumb it, but the things are highly controllable with a little dial and do work just fine on a period via say an aquarium controller or wall timer if you so require. And the durability is insane. I've seen them last for decades without a drop of maintenance in pool chlorine dosing, 24/7.
More expensive than peristaltic, a little more "know how" required to plumb it, but the things are highly controllable with a little dial and do work just fine on a period via say an aquarium controller or wall timer if you so require. And the durability is insane. I've seen them last for decades without a drop of maintenance in pool chlorine dosing, 24/7.
