Dosing Pump Questions

[mattdean]

Originally Posted by lastlight

system is about 110g but I only have tiny sticks right now =)

They might be higher and more balanced if I didn't do 10g water changes weekly with a salt that is high in both but especially in Ca.

What salt are you using? I have a 125 and almost exclusively frags, however, a LOT of frags and LPS as well. Things are growing very well in the tank and I assume this is why I need so much CA and Alk, however, I can never get my Ca above 400 and alk above 9. So I woudl LOVE to find a salt that can boost my parameters and require less dosing. I do 15 to 20 gallon water change weekly, by the way.

[lastlight]

Reef Crystals.

Calcium is always like 480+ and the Alk I think is around 10 or 11?

I stopped testing both in new water because they are elevated and I can't do anything about that. Mg is always between 1100 and 1250 though so I dose a lot to it to hit 1400.

I'm always around 420, 8, and 1400 but lately have had to test weekly to adapt to the Alk consumption as it's gone up.

Also...where is your build thread? SHAME!

[mattdean]

Interesting. I switched to D-D H2Ocean from Reef Crystals. maybe I should switch back. Darn! I just bought two pails

[lastlight]

Not to hijack the thread but I was looking to avoid elevated salt levels in the future. I missed a few changes and my levels dropped because I have a 10g change factored into my dosing. I'd love a salt with target levels for all 3 but that's asking for a miracle.

[kien]

I have a 4 head unit and only use two of them (Alk and Calc). I intended to use the 3rd one for Mag but I never get much of a depletion from Mag. It seems to replenish itself with the weekly water changes from my IO salt. I find that a little strange but it is what it is.

[mark]

Originally Posted by lastlight

Only thing I've seen that may be a concern (and would be regardless of type of doser I imagine) is that one of the solutions is sorta precipitating at the end of the tubing. Forms sort of a shell so I clean it with a toothpick every couple days. Anyone else see this? I spread my 8 and 12 mL doses into 1mL increments so maybe it's so little that it does this.

could you submerge the ends of the tubing?

[Reefer Rob]

I have the non-stand alone doser. In 4 years I`ve had to replace 2 of the pumps, the motors just died, but then I was dosing a ton. The only nozzle that I find plugs is the Mg, it needs cleaning every few months. I`m sure if you submerged it precipitation would be much worse.

[lastlight]

You risk siphoning your tank if you fully submerge. I think the instructions also state to not do this. Since my doser is under the floor I can't press the button to see if it can pump past the blockage/skinned over end of the tube so I just clean it out quick. I imagine it still pushes past it but I'd rather be safe.

[mark]

Originally Posted by lastlight

You risk siphoning your tank if you fully submerge. I think the instructions also state to not do this. Since my doser is under the floor I can't press the button to see if it can pump past the blockage/skinned over end of the tube so I just clean it out quick. I imagine it still pushes past it but I'd rather be safe.

why would you siphon, thought the rollers continuously press on the tube.

[mattdean]

It was my understanding (and the reason I went with the Profilux) that the Profilux won't back siphon, but other dosing pumps may if the tube is submergerd. Still, I wouldn't risk it.