DIY Pickling lime doser, made better??

[SP Aquatics]

I was recently converted to mrs wages dosing. My results were far better than i could have imagined. But still, i have to believe there is a better way.

I am currently using a 5 gal IO bucket with the lid on to keep it air tight minus 2 airlines running out, one siphon line, other to relieve pressure. My problems so far has been:
1: 5 gallons isnt enough, i need to be able to make up larger batches, and as long as kept air tight, quality remains somewhat constant.
2: Pouring new batches into the bucket kicks up all the old sediment at the bottom. It is said according to http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php that keeping the old sediment helps to buffer the solution.

My idea is this:
an acrylic tank(why acrylic, well if im gonna do it, its gotta look good!) probably about 35 gallons in a cube style. About 2" above the bottom, a panel with many 3/8" holes drilled into it so that solids may collect bellow it. Why 3/8" holes, no reason, seemed like a good size. A nipple for some airline tubing to connect, located about 4" from the bottom, now gravity works, instead of a siphon over the top. An airtight lid(about as air tight as a tightly fitting piece can be with a 1/4" hole drilled to relieve suction caused by dropping solution levels.

Thats it, not really much to it. But i think it will be nice, as when new solution is added, it wont kick up as much of the old sediment. Im sure some will, but atleast minimized.

Maybe some kind of gas tank type connection on the front for refilling, that will smooth out the flow, and further more minimize stirring of the sediment.

 

[LakeEd]

Your idea should work just fine.

I would concider using eggcrate for your platform that is about 2" up from the bottom. It is cheaper than acrylic, and easy to cut to the shape you need. It also won't have as much surface area for any residue Lime to settle on.

Just a thought.

 

[SP Aquatics]

I was worried egg crate would allow to much disturbing of the junk at the bottom. Acrylic with holes it in would be very restrictive and hopefully, the stuff down there would stay down there. As for acrylic being $, not really a 20x20x1/4" piece will only cost me $9 for the good stuff. I buy in bulk, only way to go.

 

[DonW]

Why are you concerned about the sediment being stirred up? Are you minxing in one container then transfering to another?

Don

 

[SP Aquatics]

Yes unfortunately, I do not live with my tank, so i must make batches up at the beginning of each week to last threw the week. I store them in 5 gal gas cans. My tank eats up about 5 gallons each 1 1/2 days. So this larger tank should be able to last me 10 days about.

 

[DonW]

Yes unfortunately, I do not live with my tank, so i must make batches up at the beginning of each week to last threw the week. I store them in 5 gal gas cans. My tank eats up about 5 gallons each 1 1/2 days. So this larger tank should be able to last me 10 days about.

I wouldnt worry about the crud in the bottom, just clean it out every few months. It will resettle in a few hours.

Don

 

[Herefishyfishy]

I wouldnt worry about the crud in the bottom, just clean it out every few months. It will resettle in a few hours.

Don

Don, is most of the "crud" undesolved lime or is it almost all oxide, etc?

 

[scytale]

I guess I'm a little confused--it seems like a lot of the design here is to "minimize stirring of the sediment"--I thought it was best TO STIR UP the sediment periodically!
(I have a submersible pump on a daily timer in my kalk bucket for that sole purpose.....)

Regardless, a bump for Ed--on using an eggcrate instead of a plate w/holes.

If the goal is to keep the sediment away from pumps, intakes, etc.--then it needs to be able to sink to the bottom of the container, right? More sediment will collect on the plate (instead of under it) than on an eggcrate matrix.
(Yes, with a plate "the stuff down there would stay down there"--but won't it be harder for the stuff to get down there in the first place....)

 

[DonW]

Don, is most of the "crud" undesolved lime or is it almost all oxide, etc?

Probably a little bit of both, undesolved lime and undesolved impuritiues. Either way it will settle back down on its own.

Don

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Thanks Don, I do really appreciate your time (and experience.)
I am setting up a small Ca reactor, do many also dose Kalk while running a mediocre reactor? (kalk is cheap and I own a lot)

 

[DonW]

Thanks Don, I do really appreciate your time (and experience.)
I am setting up a small Ca reactor, do many also dose Kalk while running a mediocre reactor? (kalk is cheap and I own a lot)

I think running both is a pretty good idea, I'm just to lazy to do it. I do think a kalk reactor vs the bucket is the best way to go from a lazy mans perspective.

Don

 

[SP Aquatics]

bucket=cheap mans perspective! Not that kalk reactors are expensive but still.

As for my idea, well, im not particularly worried about how well it works, as long as it holds more water than the 5 g bucket to get me through the week. Cant be any worse than the bucket either, which is working great for me. Ordered some acrylic hinges, and a handle last night, Ill post pics when its done.