i have an Aqualifter pump on my Auto topoff controller...i am using it to dose Kalk and i am wondering if i can put a mini ball valve on the tubing going to my sump, to create a drip instead of a stream...my question is, will the back pressure hurt the Aqualifter pump???
Aqualifter and back pressure?????
- Thread starter ronj
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DonW
R.I.P.
scytale
Caladanman
Thinking about incoporating an Aqualifter into my Kalk dripper as well....
Does the Aqualifter have an anti-siphon feature, or does an in-line check-valve need to be installed?
Does the Aqualifter have an anti-siphon feature, or does an in-line check-valve need to be installed?
DonW
R.I.P.
They drain back but its no big deal for kalk. The little air type check valves will plug up quick.
These are great, I use them on my doser with 80psi rodi line pressure. http://www.reefwerks.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=10
Don
DonW
R.I.P.
At home depot there are tiny drip irrigation valves. They work great on ca reactors. You might want to give them a shot.
Don
scytale
Caladanman
They drain back but its no big deal for kalk. The little air type check valves will plug up quick.
These are great, I use them on my doser with 80psi rodi line pressure. http://www.reefwerks.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=10
Don
That looks cool!
I'm guessing that since you're using them on an 80psi line--they must be a compression fitting??
So 1 aqualifter, 1 check valve, and 1 ball valve, and I've got a drip-dosing sytem for under $30!?!
Also, any advice on the Tom/Oscar "pre-filter" pictured below? (think it would help filter out any stray Kalk-slurry? is it worth $7?)
I'm estimating that I'm going to get 5-6 nights worth of kalk before I have to refill with my system....if I'm rinsing this pre-filter weekly--is it worth it?
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Llarian
Well-known member
Are you running Kalk directly through your aqualifter?
I couldn't tell if you were using it to push water through a reactor, or moving kalk directly through it.
If you're moving directly through the aqualifter, I suggest you buy several as backups, the holes (check valves really) inside the AL are ~1/8" in diameter and the membrane that forms the check valve seems to bind to them easily in the long term presence of even salt water, much less the deposits from kalk.
-Dylan
I couldn't tell if you were using it to push water through a reactor, or moving kalk directly through it.
If you're moving directly through the aqualifter, I suggest you buy several as backups, the holes (check valves really) inside the AL are ~1/8" in diameter and the membrane that forms the check valve seems to bind to them easily in the long term presence of even salt water, much less the deposits from kalk.
-Dylan
DonW
R.I.P.
Well not really. Its going to plug up real fast if you slow it to a drip. It will work but is going to be a one of those thing you have to mess with. That prefilter is not needed its the precip that will plug things up.
An less work alternitive would be a timer that can cycle the pump in quick 3 or 4 seconds intervals during the dosing period, with no valve. Other than that youd have to go to a peri pump.
Don
mmkeeper
Well-known member
I do that for dripping kalk
scytale
Caladanman
I just started using kalk (to help buffer against AM/PM pH swings)--I don't have a reactor--was hoping to use the aqualifter to push kalk directly....
Right now I'm doing the 1-gallon DIY gravity-feed jug, because I can't afford a reactor and don't have any plans for a sump right now.
I'm not terribly keen on mixing a new batch of Kalk every morning, so I thought about using the aqualifter/storage container/timer combo to make a low-tech nightly doser.
My philosophy is this: I'm already spending some time everyday to mix a new batch kalk...it would be better for me if I could mix the kalk/clean a pump once a week....
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scytale
Caladanman
I've got digi-timers, but all of them operate on a scale of 1-minute, not seconds--any suggestions on a cheap timer that operates on second intervals?
(I know YOU can probably build one
but I'm not that electrically-inclined....)I know the kalk can spontaneously precipitate...but most of the time the precip forms when exposed to air and/or saltwater, correct?
My goal with the check-valve was to the keep (liquid) Kalk inside (most of) the tubing/aqulifter at all times--to help prevent exposure to air....
DonW
R.I.P.
I've got digi-timers, but all of them operate on a scale of 1-minute, not seconds--any suggestions on a cheap timer that operates on second intervals?
(I know YOU can probably build one
I know the kalk can spontaneously precipitate...but most of the time the precip forms when exposed to air and/or saltwater, correct?
My goal with the check-valve was to the keep (liquid) Kalk inside (most of) the tubing/aqulifter at all times--to help prevent exposure to air....
It sounds good in theory but kalk is tough on rubber. Give it a shot, if you decide you need a timer let me know.
Don
Skimmy
SKIM FU
this would be a great idea for calcium chloride (instead of calcium hydroxide) mixed with ro water, then mabye a second one with alk buffer and ro water, then you could have 2 timers control both of them to be on at opposite times.
DonW
R.I.P.
That not a safe solution. It will be all over the board. Evaporation changes daily.
Don
Katchupoy
Well-known member
Hello I just run accross this thread.
I too uses two aqualifter for calcium and one for alk.
I used two valve per lifer... this is what it looks like... see the diagram...
In this way, the flow within the lifter is the same... and the water drip is being controlled by a valve...
If you closed this totally then the water does not have a choice but to go to the tank... But if you open it a little bit then you control how much water it goes back to the lifter. Then if you open it all the way then 100% will just go back to lifter and do a big loop.
I hope I explained it well...
I too uses two aqualifter for calcium and one for alk.
I used two valve per lifer... this is what it looks like... see the diagram...
In this way, the flow within the lifter is the same... and the water drip is being controlled by a valve...
If you closed this totally then the water does not have a choice but to go to the tank... But if you open it a little bit then you control how much water it goes back to the lifter. Then if you open it all the way then 100% will just go back to lifter and do a big loop.
I hope I explained it well...
