Cleaning Dosing Lines

[Want2BS8ed]

Currently using Triton Core7 elements (1, 2 ,3a & 3b) with a relatively long run routed through conduit.

Is there a recommended solution for purging the dosing lines? R/O, vinegar, something more alkaline? Curious to hear others opinions.

Thanks,

M

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Depends on the line.

Do you actually see deposits in all of them?

I got deposits in limewater lines, but those solutions can deposit calcium carbonate and an acid solution of some sort works best for those.

I expect for 2/3 part systems, fresh water alone will work, but if you are concerned about calcium/magnesium carbonate or hydroxide forming somehow, a dilute muriatic acid solution or vinegar will work fine.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Keep the drip tips above the tank water line to prevent any entry of seawater, which will create calcium carbonate deposits.

In air the deposits at the end will just be dried additive, which redissolves in fresh water.

 

[Triggreef]

Just change the lines if they get a build up. Should check them a little more often now with their change to core7 I've noticed the art 3a/3b seems more apt to crystalize than it did before. And I still dilute all parts with RO/di just like before.

 

[Want2BS8ed]

Thanks Randy, thanks Triggreef. No build-up yet in 14 months. With the current shortage of Core7, I wanted have my ducks-in-a-row if a change back to 2-part was needed and it seemed prudent to flush the lines before making a swap.

Changing out the tubing would be the logical choice. Unfortunately the dosing pumps are on one side of the fish room and the sump is on the other. In what I thought was a flash of brilliance at the time, everything is run through Panduit to keep things tidy. I wasn't particularly relishing having to rerun those lines.

If it comes to it, I'll also make sure the Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium lines match the appropriate Core7 products.

Thanks again for the input. Very helpful.

M

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[reefwiser]

I use dosing systems and calibrate the pumps every 6 months. Use 200 ml of vinegar followed by 100 ml of RO. water then do a calibration of the dosing head.