Alkalinity Dosing Line Crusting Over

[NeonRabbit221B]

I am running a nano tank that has had a continuous problem with the alkalinity line getting crusted over which causes significant alk swings. Are there any tips or tricks to stop it from accumulating? I have tried doing hourly dosing and even using a hanna alkalinity syringe tip but it still clogs after 24-36 hours. This tank is doing great but I know my growth is impacted when I do a water change and have alk of 8.5 and then come back a few days later to 6.8 dkh.

 

[2una]

I lowered my tubing end to sit in the water to stop that

 

[redfishbluefish]

Interesting! You didn't mention were the line was in relationship to the water, and I was going to suggest that if it's submerged, raise it up out of the water to keep it from crusting up. That said, every month or so I do have to pinch the tubing end of mine to make sure it's not crusted over. Maybe I should try submerging mine?

 

[takitaj]

You will have less or no issues if you cut the end of the tubing at a sharp angle.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Both great ideas! I will give the angle cut a try tonight

 

[Garf]

Interesting! You didn't mention were the line was in relationship to the water, and I was going to suggest that if it's submerged, raise it up out of the water to keep it from crusting up. That said, every month or so I do have to pinch the tubing end of mine to make sure it's not crusted over. Maybe I should try submerging mine?

Perhaps I’m just a worrier, but I would always maintain a syphon break of some sort. Putting the dosing line in tank water feels all wrong.

 

[AdamD76]

Perhaps I’m just a worrier, but I would always maintain a syphon break of some sort. Putting the dosing line in tank water feels all wrong.

If the pump is good then it will not be a problem.

 

[sculpin01]

Add an airline T to your alkalinity line just above the water level. Attach a line to the side of the T and connect that to a doser which draws off your RODI reservoir. Program your doser such that 1 minute after dosing alkalinity, you dose 10 cc of RODI through the T connector. This will flush the tip of your alkalinity line and prevent buildup. I use a 4 head Jebao doser which work great for alkalinity, RODI, calcium, and magnesium.

In addition, get some food safe silicone lubricant from Amazon and dip the tip of your alkalinity line in it. The hydrophobic silicone lubricant will prevent deposit formation.

 

[Garf]

If the pump is good then it will not be a problem.

I’ve got plastic one way valves on mine, just in case, lol. They don’t even touch the water, normally, as I would never allow it.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

The angled cut did not solve the issue and in fact made it worse. Moving onto the silicone lubricant dip for tonight.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

The angled cut did not solve the issue and in fact made it worse. Moving onto the silicone lubricant dip for tonight.

I found this also. The angled cut gave somewhere for the last drop of solution to hang on and crust up.

 

[sculpin01]

The angled cut did not solve the issue and in fact made it worse. Moving onto the silicone lubricant dip for tonight.

Just make sure it's food safe.

 

[Garf]

The angled cut did not solve the issue and in fact made it worse. Moving onto the silicone lubricant dip for tonight.

Do you not use silicone tubing?

 

[sculpin01]

Silicone tubing does not stop encrustation. Silicone lubricant and flush systems (as above) will decrease it significantly.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I would just check it periodically need clean as needed.

Don't blow air on it. Keep the air humid, if possible.

Putting it underwater often causes problems with precipitation in the tubing as calcium creeps into it, and can be a siphon (in or out of the tank). Siphon may seem unlikely, but can lead to a catastrophe if it does happen.

 

[Reeferbadness]

You will have less or no issues if you cut the end of the tubing at a sharp angle.

i did the same to both of my tank's dosing lines for Alk and it works pretty well. Best if you also keep the tube out of the water.

 

[homer1475]

I so the T airline trick, but just have my ATO go on the other side. Flushes the line evertime the ATO goes off.

The positive pressure from the pinch rollers on the doser, doesn't allow the RO/DI to go into the dosing tube, but will wash the tip down so it doesn't get crusted.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

The silicone grease definitely fixed the issue so far is anyone is having issues. I will likely use the RODI flush as well but given that it hasnt clogged up in 24 hours I am happy.

 

[sculpin01]

It still can happen but it’s more every 6 months than every other week.

 

[homer1475]

With the ATO line washing down the dosing line, I haven't had to clean the crust off my line in over 2 years, and counting.