Help KALK dosing line periodically clogs at endpoint

[Dutch_Roots]

I ran my ATO with a T-fitting through my 3/8” Kalk reactor output tubing and I go probably 2-3 months without having to clean it. It still needs to be cleaned but not nearly as often.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I suspect it clogs because it only runs at night. I dose kalk at 2 ml a minute continuously. You can see the build up at the bottom, but it never clogs.

 

[Salty_Northerner]

To my answer to the 45 degree angle cut doesn't work. Just checked mine tonight and gave the end of the line a squeeze and it freed the build up of dried kalk. I use the standard barbed 1/4" fittings ecotech Versa included in the package and just use a silicone air line hose which after tonight seemed pretty quick to clear the crap buildup. Just gave a couple squeezes and nice and clean now.

I lowered the kalk line below the ATO and zipped them together and hopefully when the ATO kicks on it'll help flush the end of the kalk line off. I do run the Versa 24/7 ffiw

 

[smiley28]

To my answer to the 45 degree angle cut doesn't work. Just checked mine tonight and gave the end of the line a squeeze and it freed the build up of dried kalk. I use the standard barbed 1/4" fittings ecotech Versa included in the package and just use a silicone air line hose which after tonight seemed pretty quick to clear the crap buildup. Just gave a couple squeezes and nice and clean now.

I lowered the kalk line below the ATO and zipped them together and hopefully when the ATO kicks on it'll help flush the end of the kalk line off. I do run the Versa 24/7 ffiw

I got excited for a minute haha.

 

[lbacha]

Here is my solution to the 1/4” line clogging, seems to work so far and I’m pretty sure it will solve the issue since the output is now 3/4”

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I read on a yt video that the person just cut a 45° angle at the end of the line and apparently it stopped the plugging. Does it work? No idea but I've cut mine as it can't hurt to find out if it indeed helps.

I have seen a number of folks report that such a cut helps

 

[SaracensRugby]

So if someone does not want to use a DOS pump (I'm having issues with clogs), what's the best way to deliver kalkwasser? Auto top off? Wouldn't that get clogged at some point too?

 

[bobnicaragua]

So if someone does not want to use a DOS pump (I'm having issues with clogs), what's the best way to deliver kalkwasser? Auto top off? Wouldn't that get clogged at some point too?

I use an Ecotech versa for kalk, it never clogs.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don’t think the pump makes a difference. It’s the details around the delivering end, and whether anything else like fresh water gets flushed through.

 

[lbacha]

I drip my Kalk into a small dosing container and let it run out a 3/4” bulkhead. Takes forever for it to clog and it’s super easy to see it clogging to clean out if needed.

 

[lbacha]

It also gives unsaturated kalk a place to settle out so I can mix up a new batch and not worry if it has settled out or not

 

[rishma]

I drip my Kalk into a small dosing container and let it run out a 3/4” bulkhead. Takes forever for it to clog and it’s super easy to see it clogging to clean out if needed.

That’s clever.

In the past I just used a Tee and had my vinegar dose out the same tube. Kalk at night and vinegar during the day. Worked like a charm.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I don’t think the pump makes a difference. It’s the details around the delivering end, and whether anything else like fresh water gets flushed through.

I’m thinking peristaltic pumps build pressure with kalk, since we dose so much of it at a time. That pressure pushes through the build up at the end of the dosing line.

 

[rishma]

I’m thinking peristaltic pumps build pressure with kalk, since we dose so much of it at a time. That pressure pushes through the build up at the end of the dosing line.

I haven’t had one complete clog with a dosing pump, but I have had it clog enough it was spraying tiny stream sideways

 

[lbacha]

I’m thinking peristaltic pumps build pressure with kalk, since we dose so much of it at a time. That pressure pushes through the build up at the end of the dosing line.

The main issue is that water saturated with Kalk when it comes into contact with air forms a thick film. As you dose that film builds up on the end of the tube and with a 1/4" tube that happens very quickly. Eventually it blocks the tube if you don't rinse it away. I use to have my Kalk tube directly below my ATO output so the water would wash the film away whenever the ATO kicked on. The issue is inevitably something would get moved and the tube would get blocked anyways. My new solution is to keep the 1/4" tube from my dosing pump underwater into a secondary container so no film can form and let the kalk flow out of a 3/4" opening which takes alot longer to clog. Even if it does clog the kalk will just run out the top of the container into my sump so I will continue to get Kalk no matter what.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m thinking peristaltic pumps build pressure with kalk, since we dose so much of it at a time. That pressure pushes through the build up at the end of the dosing line.

I used a diaphragm pump that had a huge head pressure, and when it clogged and I released it, a lot of spray came out, sometimes getting me in the face. lol