Cheap dosing pump!!

m.lemay · 07-23-2005, 02:40 PM

It's not what we'd call a positive displacement pump. Back pressure in the lines would definitely affect the output. If the pressure in the lines could be deemed constant then some experimentation could reveal if this would work consistently.

Obviously a peristaltic pump is much better on all fronts except for cost.

Marcel

**aquaphish** · 07-23-2005, 08:36 PM

I constantly think of getting a dosing system for my ferts. But my issue with using a dosing system is that everytime I do dose I find the need to shake up my solutions due to settling. By use of a dosing system the solution will not be shaken which will lead me to believe that the dose will not be consistant in concentration.

shalu · 07-23-2005, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquaphish

I constantly think of getting a dosing system for my ferts. But my issue with using a dosing system is that everytime I do dose I find the need to shake up my solutions due to settling.

hmm, if you find any settlement in your solution, that means you tried to dissolve too much in the amount of water.

Laith · 07-25-2005, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plantbrain

An IV drip plus a solenoid is cheap.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Not knowing anything about IV drips, where would you put it? Don't IV drips need to be higher than the destination of the drip?

m.lemay · 07-25-2005, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laith

Not knowing anything about IV drips, where would you put it? Don't IV drips need to be higher than the destination of the drip?

yes they do, see my earlier reply.

m.lemay · 07-25-2005, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquaphish

I constantly think of getting a dosing system for my ferts. But my issue with using a dosing system is that everytime I do dose I find the need to shake up my solutions due to settling. By use of a dosing system the solution will not be shaken which will lead me to believe that the dose will not be consistant in concentration.

you can keep it agitated by keeping an airstone going in the resevoir.

stcyrwm · 10-19-2005, 08:48 PM

Any chance of an update on this?????

Thanks, Bill

m.lemay · 10-20-2005, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stcyrwm

Any chance of an update on this?????

Thanks, Bill

Sure.....

The pump wasn't suitable for my needs because of where I wanted to locate the pump under the stand. Locating the pump under the stand created too much head pressure rendering the pump ineffective. If the pump and reservoir could be located somewhere equal to the tank height (+ or -) this would have worked out great. 20" of head pressure is about all this little pump can take.

Marcel

SCMurphy · 10-20-2005, 12:12 PM

Marcel, so something like into a sump under the stand would have worked?

m.lemay · 10-20-2005, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCMurphy

Marcel, so something like into a sump under the stand would have worked?

Actually No, not really. Ideally the resevoir should be set next to or behind the tank because the flow rate drops off dramatically as it drops down. That's why I scrapped the idea ,because I didn't want to see the resevoir.

Maybe one of those hang on the back refugiums would work perfectly for this pump.

Sean, if you wanna borrow the pump to experiment with it, I can send it over to ya. I'm so swamped at work, that I don't have time to mess with it right now. Send me a PM.

Marcel

**Raul-7** · 10-21-2005, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.lemay

you can keep it agitated by keeping an airstone going in the resevoir.

Wouldn't this oxidize the nutrients?

csf · 12-30-2005, 02:39 PM

My thought would be to have the peristaltic pump and an air pump come on at the same time (via timer). The air stone will mix up the solution in a few seconds and the peristaltic pump would get homogenous solution after the first few seconds. If it's on for more than a few minutes, the first little bit sucked up wouldn't be a big deal.

Is there a problem with N, P, K and micro nutrients doing funny things together and oxidizing? I am planning on using Greg Watson style nutrients (basic PMDD stuff).

m.lemay · 12-30-2005, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csf

Is there a problem with N, P, K and micro nutrients doing funny things together and oxidizing? I am planning on using Greg Watson style nutrients (basic PMDD stuff).

P reacts with iron and possibly other micro nutrients. As far as I know, P seems to be the only nutrient that should be dosed seperately.

**Raul-7** · 12-30-2005, 03:37 PM

But why does everyone recommend using an airstone in their dosing container. Wouldn't that lead to oxidizing?

csf · 12-30-2005, 03:39 PM

Thanks. I'll try and track down some multi-headed peristaltic pumps to get the N, P, K and micros in different bottles. My stand is going to be full.

07-23-2005, 02:40 PM	#16 (permalink)
m.lemay Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naugatuck, CT. Posts: 2,647	It's not what we'd call a positive displacement pump. Back pressure in the lines would definitely affect the output. If the pressure in the lines could be deemed constant then some experimentation could reveal if this would work consistently. Obviously a peristaltic pump is much better on all fronts except for cost. Marcel __________________ FILSTAR Pimp #2 75 gal heavily planted,50/50 Black beauty,Eco-complete substrate, Pressurised CO2 with solenoid, ph controller, AB Reactor 1000, 330 watts 9325K GE PC lighting,Ehiem Liquidoser, 2-Filstar xp3 canisters.

07-23-2005, 08:36 PM	#17 (permalink)
aquaphish Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (46/98%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Some where in SOCAL Posts: 1,480	I constantly think of getting a dosing system for my ferts. But my issue with using a dosing system is that everytime I do dose I find the need to shake up my solutions due to settling. By use of a dosing system the solution will not be shaken which will lead me to believe that the dose will not be consistant in concentration. __________________

10-20-2005, 12:12 PM	#24 (permalink)
SCMurphy PT Biologist (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryland USA Posts: 3,068	Marcel, so something like into a sump under the stand would have worked? __________________ Sean Aquascape? I'm a crypt farmer. It's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot. That IS an aquascape, it's titled "The Vacant Lot".

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10-19-2005, 08:48 PM	#22 (permalink)
stcyrwm Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montpelier, Vermont Posts: 134	Any chance of an update on this????? Thanks, Bill

12-30-2005, 02:39 PM	#27 (permalink)
csf Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA. Posts: 87	My thought would be to have the peristaltic pump and an air pump come on at the same time (via timer). The air stone will mix up the solution in a few seconds and the peristaltic pump would get homogenous solution after the first few seconds. If it's on for more than a few minutes, the first little bit sucked up wouldn't be a big deal. Is there a problem with N, P, K and micro nutrients doing funny things together and oxidizing? I am planning on using Greg Watson style nutrients (basic PMDD stuff).

12-30-2005, 03:37 PM	#29 (permalink)
Raul-7 Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lomita, CA Posts: 1,585	But why does everyone recommend using an airstone in their dosing container. Wouldn't that lead to oxidizing?

12-30-2005, 03:39 PM	#30 (permalink)
csf Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA. Posts: 87	Thanks. I'll try and track down some multi-headed peristaltic pumps to get the N, P, K and micros in different bottles. My stand is going to be full.

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