ALK Dosing - drip line clogs

Tbyram · Jan 31, 2018

I'm using a BRS 1.1ml dosing pump to feed my ALK and Calcium to the tank. I have an APEX and it is set to dose ALK for about 15 min at top of each hour and Calc for 15 min at bottom of hour. The two lines are dripping into totally different areas of sump. The ALK is dripping into the area where my skimmer chamber drains into the return pump chamber so there is high water movement.

Here is my problem. The actual tip of the drip line (which is above the water) seems to get clogged with precip fairly regularly. Then I get a white solid clogging and my ALK in the tank drops. I'm not looking at it every day but have the KH Guardian to monitor ALK so I noticed it this week again.

Is there any secret anyone has to keep that line from clogging?
Thanks in advance for suggestions.

Brien · Jan 31, 2018

Personally, I keep my drip lines kinda high over my sump so when the pump is off the water level doesn't rise to the point of submerging them. I also have my soda ash line drip where my GFO reactor returns the water to the sump. I think having that water movement at the point of contact helps greatly mix everything up quickly.

Tbyram · Jan 31, 2018

Mine is above the water line too....it is clogging in the tube itself at the tip sometimes.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 31, 2018

Diluting more may help.

I had to periodically unclog my limewater lines. The deposited calcium carbonate on those could make a plug that held against a high pressure pump, and several times I got sprayed when breaking the clog open [emoji23]

jdemarco · Jan 31, 2018

I will personally take the dip line tips and dip them for a moment every noe and then. You remind me of a neat device I saw a while back but don't know who makes it....it served exactly that purpose and held them just below the water level...ill see if I can find the pic and report back but I keep mine above water and bathe them every so often

Susan Edwards · Feb 1, 2018

When I first started, I didn't know to keep them out of the water.... Now I keep them high enough they have to drip down--no chance of getting wet. Seems to be working.

Vin's Reef · Jul 1, 2018

I have the same problem. Most notebly withthe 3ab (alkalinity)mix from Triton. Line clogs constantly and I know by the fall in pH. So the question is do we keep the line submerged constantly? Or do we keep it out of the water constantly (hard to do in feed mode when sump fills). This is a really annoying problem that needs daily monitoring. If someone has the answer please help.

Cory · Jul 1, 2018

Im experimenting with a one way airline check valve with the hopes of minimizing co2 backing up into the line and clogging it. One month in and no clogging!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 1, 2018

Vin's Reef said:
I have the same problem. Most notebly withthe 3ab (alkalinity)mix from Triton. Line clogs constantly and I know by the fall in pH. So the question is do we keep the line submerged constantly? Or do we keep it out of the water constantly (hard to do in feed mode when sump fills). This is a really annoying problem that needs daily monitoring. If someone has the answer please help.

No, submersion of either dosing line is undesirable and can lead to calcium carbonate precipitation in the lines.

uncle luke · Jul 1, 2018

I used to have this problem. I now stick my ALK line in my ATO line distally. Every time the ATO turns on, the ALK line gets a freshwater bath. Has kept my ALK clog free for a long time.

Cory · Aug 23, 2018

uncle luke said:
I used to have this problem. I now stick my ALK line in my ATO line distally. Every time the ATO turns on, the ALK line gets a freshwater bath. Has kept my ALK clog free for a long time.

Im curious how exactly you did this? My check valce idea failed lol.

Vin's Reef · Aug 23, 2018

You would think for $300 a Dos would tell you if it clogged.

ZoWhat · Aug 23, 2018

I say thin out your alk solution with rodi by 2x and drip 2x the daily volume

ndrwater · Aug 23, 2018

uncle luke said:
I used to have this problem. I now stick my ALK line in my ATO line distally. Every time the ATO turns on, the ALK line gets a freshwater bath. Has kept my ALK clog free for a long time.

We going to say exactly this. I had the same problems for years until I moved my ATO line to give a freshwater bath every time the ATO kicks in.. no more problems..

Kactai · Dec 24, 2018

ndrwater said:
We going to say exactly this. I had the same problems for years until I moved my ATO line to give a freshwater bath every time the ATO kicks in.. no more problems..

How exactly do you set this up?

balajeek15 · May 28, 2019

Kactai said:
How exactly do you set this up?

yeah how exactly to set this up?

FuzzySPS · Mar 14, 2021

Run a “y” connector such that your ATO replenishment line and dosing line merge into one line before depositing solution into your sump (or tank). That way the dosing line is rinsed throughout the day whenever top off water is called for. Clogs go away and shouldn’t ever reappear. Usually than $5 or less for the “y” connector (both barbed and push to fit options exist—-just Google “y connector dosing line”) and two minutes of your time to modify your lines once and only once. A simple, inexpensive and forever fix. Good luck!

FactoryKTMmotocross46 · Mar 14, 2021

I do it a little different in that I use a dosing head to flush the alk line once a day with ro. Before I added the flush, just with the john guest elbow, I never had a clog again.
This might give you some ideas with the Y fitting...