Calcium and sodium barcarbonate in ATO

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by Kevin_E, Nov 3, 2013.

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  1. rcflyer1388

    rcflyer1388 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    the way i see it with the ATO way of dosing it is, i am more worried about my salinity change happening if my pump was to not stop than the effect of kalk and ph...my measures that i take is that i use the dual float switch set up to my apex with a 45 min inhibit between top offs and i only put enough ato water in there to last about 2 days max. figuring out the dose took me about a good month of baby steps and increasing ever so slightly.
     
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  3. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    My ATO system has an infinite power supply- free for the moment too
    Gravity.

    It does rely on well made float valves that don't and won't stick.

    I was dosing Kalc in my ATO- but the slow rate of flow cause the fittings and line near the valve to get caked up with it also.

    So, for my awesome ATO system- that ONLY adds RO/DI
    AS it is needed. It's never more than a trickle.

    I dose Kalc- now about twice a week, with a 1 gallon jug of RO/DI-
    with Pickling lime- about 15ml, and vinegar- about 45ml.
    I drip it in over abot 3-4 hours via a medical IV drip line.

    Works well.

    That was a long answer- to watch for clogging of lines, and in YOUR case- pumps for your ATO if youy are gong to dose thru the ATO.
    Many do and it seems to work well.
     
  4. rcflyer1388

    rcflyer1388 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    well put there Todd. Another great method to the process.
     
  5. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    Well then, maybe kalk isn't the right option. I dont want precipitate building up in my pump or lines.
     
  6. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    I think I'll just manually dose calc. For now. I'll mix my calcium with RO water in a bottle.
     
  7. rcflyer1388

    rcflyer1388 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    I'm not sure what the other guys use as the pump for their ATO but I have a MJ400. It coats up in kalk but the pump works fast enough to prevent a buildup.
     
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  9. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    I just use an aqualifter. Moves about 0.5 gallons a day to the tank.
     
  10. evolved

    evolved Wrasse Freak

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    Kalk will (eventually) dissolve the diaphragm out of an aqualifter.
     
  11. rcflyer1388

    rcflyer1388 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    me personally I wouldn't be running kalk with a diaphragm pump....sounds like dripping kalk solution is your best bet and it will give you the control you want.
     
  12. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    And speaking of dripping,

    I drip mine thru a standard- hospital/clinic use IV drip line. Free for me, if you know someone in the profession, your clinic, etc., should be easy to come by as they are disposable after use so they are not very exspensive.

    You could also make something similar with a thin line/tubing and a outer plastic clamp.

    That way, your Kalc drips in over hours, and doesn't change the local Ph, etc.