Physics question for kalk dripper

[drawman]

I want to make a kalk dripper in the near future and have a flow question. Basically I see the Kalk dripper could be made one of two ways both which have an elevated container full of kalkwasser connected to airline tubing with a ball valve on the end to drip kalk into my sump. Now the difference between the two. In the first scenario a hole is drilled on the bottom of the container so that gravity alone drains the container (similar to an IV bag). The second scenario would be a hole drilled on the top of the container, airline inserted an a siphon used to drain the container.

Now in the first scenario I see the flow slowing over time as the container drains since this container won't be elevated from a relatively tall height. In the second scenario I don't think this flow would change over time but am I incorrect? Or would that change just be not as dramatic? I don't see it as dependent on pressure but it's been a long time since I've had a physics class.

 

[Idoc]

I don't have a setup like this so let's see if anyone else has something similar.

 

[HuduVudu]

The problem with using valves of any kind to control flow of Kalk is that they foul VERY quickly. It is easier, less maintenance and cost effective to use a doser.

 

[ca1ore]

I want to make a kalk dripper in the near future and have a flow question. Basically I see the Kalk dripper could be made one of two ways both which have an elevated container full of kalkwasser connected to airline tubing with a ball valve on the end to drip kalk into my sump. Now the difference between the two. In the first scenario a hole is drilled on the bottom of the container so that gravity alone drains the container (similar to an IV bag). The second scenario would be a hole drilled on the top of the container, airline inserted an a siphon used to drain the container.

Now in the first scenario I see the flow slowing over time as the container drains since this container won't be elevated from a relatively tall height. In the second scenario I don't think this flow would change over time but am I incorrect? Or would that change just be not as dramatic? I don't see it as dependent on pressure but it's been a long time since I've had a physics class.

don’t think it would make any difference .... well, other than the siphon method having a longer run of tubing. Head differential remains the same in either configuration. Less head means less pressure which means less flow as the container empties.

 

[blasterman]

Exactly.

Conventional gate valves rely on gravity. As their back pressure and fluid drops they drip slower.

Innovative marine makes a drip acclimator that is all plastic and also doubles as a kalk drip. Its basically the same design as an IV drip so its not affected by gravity. Costs $10

 

[Rjmul]

I made something similar out of a small orange juice bottle using the siphon method. I wouldn't trust the little airline valves to do any sort of heavy lifting. They are super inconsistent and hard to tune.

I only use the contraption when I need to dose let's say 6 mil of alk to adjust something. Or maybe 3 mil of lanthinum chloride. (In both cases I would Mix with RO water to add volume to the solution)

basically I only use it when I have to dose a small amount of something and I don't particularly care how or when it gets into the tank.
For your purposes, just use a doser.