Just wondering how often folks check the calibration on your dosers?
How often do you check doser calibration?
- Thread starter exnisstech
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dangles
Valuable Member
I use the Neptune DōS for auto water changes and kalk stirrer. The AWC function is feeding my main tank, taking water from that tank to my nano, then from the nano down the drain. I calibrate monthly because any drift at all could really mess up the little tank or cause an overflow.
Reefering1
7500 Club Member
I don't. I test alk and adjust dose(on 3 dosers) as necessary, I also monitor that jugs are depleting and the same rate. They are always even,as are parameters, so I trust everything is working.
gbroadbridge
5000 Club Member
Monthly when new.
After about 6 months - every 3 months
I calibrated when new, then checked at 3 months, checked at 6 months, did not need to recalibrate, was still measuring accurately. This was 2 months ago. If I do not notice any changes in amounts used I'll probably let it ride now as long as parameters stay in place.
These things need calibration!?
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I calibrated sometime in mid 2024. But I just keep increasing the dose of AFR as needed.
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I calibrated sometime in mid 2024. But I just keep increasing the dose of AFR as needed.
gbroadbridge
5000 Club Member
Yes, because the tubing inside the doser heads stretches when it is new.
Once it settles down it is stable pretty much up to the point where it is going to fail.
bobnicaragua
Valuable Member
I have 3 versas for kalk, alk, & calcium. I think they’re around 5 years old. All I ever do is occasionally change the tubing.
OP
OP
This is exactly what I have been doing with AFR.
Sounds like the consensus is about what I've been doing which is not much once it's up and running. First time doser user here so I thought I would ask.
Patx
Valuable Member
I test Alk 1x week, its always around 7,7.
One week it was like at 7,4...(oh ok coral are consuming more)
i increase the dose...
Then... 6,9...increase
then 6,4.... ok no way...
I got "AFR crystallize rock" in the tubing... 10ml dose was about 1ml (after 1 years)
so now i calibrate and clean (run RO/DI in it) my 4 head each 6 months.
One week it was like at 7,4...(oh ok coral are consuming more)
i increase the dose...
Then... 6,9...increase
then 6,4.... ok no way...
I got "AFR crystallize rock" in the tubing... 10ml dose was about 1ml (after 1 years)
so now i calibrate and clean (run RO/DI in it) my 4 head each 6 months.
gbroadbridge
5000 Club Member
I had the same issue with AF Mineral Salt / Balling Part C after a few years.
I noticed the container was getting way out of step with the other 2 and it was due to crystallisation in the dosing tubing and dosing head.
Cleaned out the tubing and head by running citric acid and hot water through it.
BryanM
7500 Club Member
@exnisstech I'm not far ahead of you, i have dosed prior but thinking I needed to calibrate them was not even a thought in my mind.
its too late tonight to mess with, and I've had one too many manhattans, but tomorrow I'll be setting up dosing for NeoNtro, NeoPhos, and MicroBacter7. Unless there's a malfunction with the units (Dosers), I cannot imagine calibration making much of a difference.
With all the anxiety we have for stats, my reality says our tanks are somewhat ..... resilient really. We have to be close, no doubt, but theres more variability than the forums generally accept.
its too late tonight to mess with, and I've had one too many manhattans, but tomorrow I'll be setting up dosing for NeoNtro, NeoPhos, and MicroBacter7. Unless there's a malfunction with the units (Dosers), I cannot imagine calibration making much of a difference.
With all the anxiety we have for stats, my reality says our tanks are somewhat ..... resilient really. We have to be close, no doubt, but theres more variability than the forums generally accept.
When I take them out of the original box.
OP
OP
I've been dosing AFR for 9 months on a doser and as long as I rub the end of the tube between my thumb and fore finger every couple of days crystallization isn't a problem. Let it go and it plugs.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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That often? Sounds problematic.
OP
OP
I've read of others having the same issue. It will crystalize on the end of the hose where the AFR comes out. Some people set up the ATO so it rinses the end of the AFR tube to keep it clear but I haven't bothered. In 9 months I've never had to do anything but rub the end of the hose to keep it clear. I suppose I may be able to go a little longer than a couple of days but it's already crystalizing by then and I have no need to see how long I could go without cleaning it. I've never had to flush the tube. If I traveled I would have to come up with a solution.
I had a similar issue when I was dosing kalk.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/p...ng-tubes-from-clogging.1075903/#post-12918897
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