Dosing Pump Questions

[Bear22]

Guys,

I am running a 11 gallon nano with a Oase canister filter. If possible I like to set up a dosing system (Kalkwasser, etc.) where the liquid is plumbed into the outflow filter tubing. Can dosing pumps generate the head pressure to make this happen? I have never used these types of pumps before, so don't know that much about them.

Cheers,
G

 

[bluemon]

should work.

Dosing pumps are different from typical pumps in that it literally “squeezes out” liquid along the tube, as opposed to using a propeller to move water along.

As long as the tubing is done properly with a one way adaptor so the water from the outflow doesn’t go into the dosing pump to put too much pressure against the water coming out, it should work

 

[Reef Jedi]

Yes a dosing pump would work for this application. BRS sells a nice standalone pump to check out. Also you’ll need to calculate and adjust your flow rate for consumption if using as an ato with Kalkwasser.

 

[Bear22]

should work.

Dosing pumps are different from typical pumps in that it literally “squeezes out” liquid along the tube, as opposed to using a propeller to move water along.

As long as the tubing is done properly with a one way adaptor so the water from the outflow doesn’t go into the dosing pump to put too much pressure against the water coming out, it should work

The company Chihoros (sp) makes a dosing pump array and a 16/22 tubing manifold to go along with it-both designed for canister filter setups. My concern is that this tubing manifold is made out of anodized aluminum. Can anodized aluminum stand up to corrosive salt water, kalkwasser, or most of all sodium hydroxide?

 

[Dom]

This is interesting.

I am curious as to why
you'd want to dose this way?

 

[Bear22]

This is interesting.

I am curious as to why
you'd want to dose this way?

Reefer laziness, lol? Why does anybody want to automate their dosing?

 

[KStatefan]

The company Chihoros (sp) makes a dosing pump array and a 16/22 tubing manifold to go along with it-both designed for canister filter setups. My concern is that this tubing manifold is made out of anodized aluminum. Can anodized aluminum stand up to corrosive salt water, kalkwasser, or most of all sodium hydroxide?

Aluminum is going to corrode in that environment. I do not think the anodizing will prevent that.

 

[Bear22]

Aluminum is going to corrode in that environment. I do not think the anodizing will prevent that.

If I go this route I may have to fabricate my own manifold and check valve out of lab grade plastics.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

The amount of any dosing in a tank that size will be miniscule. Why not just attach the dosing line to the side of the tank? I use a small Kamoer peri pump on my ~8g nano and only dose ~1.5mL of AFR/day. Trying to put this in-line with a canister filter is asking for issues due to the differing pressures and flows between the filter outlet and the pump trying to push against that.

 

[Bear22]

The amount of any dosing in a tank that size will be miniscule. Why not just attach the dosing line to the side of the tank? I use a small Kamoer peri pump on my ~8g nano and only dose ~1.5mL of AFR/day. Trying to put this in-line with a canister filter is asking for issues due to the differing pressures and flows between the filter outlet and the pump trying to push against that.

Mainly for aesthetics purposes. And as mentioned above there are commercial purpose built options for this approach to dosing (canister filter plumbing).

 

[Dom]

Reefer laziness, lol? Why does anybody want to automate their dosing?

No... I understand why people dose. I'm just wondering about the intended location.

If I understand correctly, you want to install the dosing tubing to the return line? Is this correct?

 

[Bear22]

No... I understand why people dose. I'm just wondering about the intended location.

If I understand correctly, you want to install the dosing tubing to the return line? Is this correct?

No, the outflow line. Plumbing to the return line would be a no no with respect to killing off the bacteria biome within the filter with concentrated caustic dosing chemicals. I guess we get into semantics with terms outflow/return; inflow, etc., with respect to canisters versus sumps.

 

[Dom]

No, the outflow line. Plumbing to the return line would be a no no with respect to killing off the bacteria biome within the filter with concentrated caustic dosing chemicals. I guess we get into semantics with terms outflow/return; inflow, etc., with respect to canisters versus sumps.

So by out flow, you mean to the drain line?

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

So by out flow, you mean to the drain line?

I think he means to the exit of the canister filter. I have seen similar applications for FW planted tanks with pressurized CO2, but not low pressure dosing.

I still think you are going to run into major issues with back pressure on the dosing line. I'm not sure how you would overcome that, where as if it was plumbed into the canister inlet, you would have the opposite effect of the liquid creating a vacuum on the dosing line.

 

[X-37B]

I would attatch the drip line to the returns exit line, zip tie, and be done. No need to complicate it.
I dose 2 part in my 15 aio and dose into the return section which is ideal.
I'm at 8ml of esv 2 part daily.
I like to be able to see the drip.

 

[Dom]

I think he means to the exit of the canister filter. I have seen similar applications for FW planted tanks with pressurized CO2, but not low pressure dosing.

I still think you are going to run into major issues with back pressure on the dosing line. I'm not sure how you would overcome that, where as if it was plumbed into the canister inlet, you would have the opposite effect of the liquid creating a vacuum on the dosing line.

That answers my question. He's using a canister. I missed it. That makes sense.

 

[Bear22]

I would attatch the drip line to the returns exit line, zip tie, and be done. No need to complicate it.
I dose 2 part in my 15 aio and dose into the return section which is ideal.
I'm at 8ml of esv 2 part daily.
I like to be able to see the drip.

I am contemplating this method as well. What are you target(s) parameters in terms of ph & alkalinity?

 

[Bear22]

I think he means to the exit of the canister filter. I have seen similar applications for FW planted tanks with pressurized CO2, but not low pressure dosing.

I still think you are going to run into major issues with back pressure on the dosing line. I'm not sure how you would overcome that, where as if it was plumbed into the canister inlet, you would have the opposite effect of the liquid creating a vacuum on the dosing line.

It could be a problem, yes which is why I asked about these pumps in the first place AND more importantly soliciting for empirical experiences (if any).

But then again why would a major world-wide vendor (Chihiros) of Amano style planted aquarium products go through all the trouble of designing a system (4 channel dosing system with inline manifold) for doing this exact thing?

 

[X-37B]

I am contemplating this method as well. What are you target(s) parameters in terms of ph & alkalinity?

Ph is 7.8-8.1- no target.
I target 7.5 for alk.
Tank is 6 months old.
Floss, carbon, and 2g wc 2× a month.
9.5 actual gallons
A few pics and my dosers.

 

[Bear22]

Ph is 7.8-8.1- no target.
I target 7.5 for alk.
Tank is 6 months old.
Floss, carbon, and 2g wc 2× a month.
9.5 actual gallons
A few pics and my dosers.

Cool. Tank looks nice. What was your method for attaching the encruster on the back wall?