Doser Pump Hose Clogging

[Cool Fish]

I'm curious to know if anyone else has this issue and if so, how are you dealing with it?
My Alkalinity Doser pump discharge tube tends to crystalize and clog up at the drip end.
The whole idea of having an automatic doser is somewhat negated if I have to keep cleaning the end to keep it flowing freely.
Any thoughts as to what I can do to allow a free flowing drip?

 

[dank reefer]

I saw someone post on here that they used a T connector and ran their ATO line to it so when the ATO went off, it flushed the dosing line.

 

[Cool Fish]

I saw someone post on here that they used a T connector and ran their ATO line to it so when the ATO went off, it flushed the dosing line.

Good thought! Thanks!
I was wondering how I could rinse it off.

 

[Uncle99]

I'm curious to know if anyone else has this issue and if so, how are you dealing with it?
My Alkalinity Doser pump discharge tube tends to crystalize and clog up at the drip end.
The whole idea of having an automatic doser is somewhat negated if I have to keep cleaning the end to keep it flowing freely.
Any thoughts as to what I can do to allow a free flowing drip?

Is it in, or very close to the water, that would do it.
I have never cleaned mine.
What type of Alk you dosing?

 

[Cool Fish]

Is it in, or very close to the water, that would do it.
I have never cleaned mine.
What type of Alk you dosing?

Not close.
It's hanging on the top side of my refugium.
I'm using ESV .

 

[Greybeard]

I too had problems with my dosing line clogging when I was using ESV. May be something with their formula... who knows. I'm using BRS 2pt now, and no longer have the issue.

Back when I was using ESV, I switched to silicone dosing lines, rather than poly tube. That helped a lot.

 

[Cool Fish]

I too had problems with my dosing line clogging when I was using ESV. May be something with their formula... who knows. I'm using BRS 2pt now, and no longer have the issue.

Back when I was using ESV, I switched to silicone dosing lines, rather than poly tube. That helped a lot.

Hmmm. Interesting. I wonder if the brand is the culprit.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Use silicone dosing lines ... works much better .

 

[Water Dog]

ESV is quite concentrated. A solution would be to dilute it with RODI water. Dilution will go a long way in avoiding precipitation buildup on your Alk tubing line outlet.

 

[Cool Fish]

Use silicone dosing lines ... works much better .

Thanks! You're the second person to mention that.

 

[MikeyG]

Use silicone dosing lines ... works much better .

Is there a correct location for the dosing tubes?
Should they be placed above or below the water surface?

 

[Saltyreef]

Is there a correct location for the dosing tubes?
Should they be placed above or below the water surface?

Above

 

[LeftyReefer]

My dosing lines only crust up when they get too close to the water and the end of the tubes get wet with tank water...
once I moved them up higher, the problem went away.

If you still have the issue, what about diluting it a bit and dosing more of it, more often.... to keep the lines clear. Just putting more liquid moving through the lines more often may help.

 

[Saltyreef]

The Y fitting and hooking up your ato to run thru the end of the dosing line is the best trick without having to change anything else.

 

[sculpin01]

Apply food-safe silicone grease to the tip (inside and outside) of the alkalinity line. It prevents encrustation.

 

[Saltyreef]

Apply food-safe silicone grease to the tip (inside and outside) of the alkalinity line. It prevents encrustation.

Need to try this.
I have an abnormal amount of molykote 111 i need to find new uses for lol.

 

[busfullofderps]

+1 for silicone lines. I have also used a manifold that includes ATO flush. The manifold with check valves isolates the additive lines from any risk of exposure to tank water.

 

[MikeyG]

My dosing lines only crust up when they get too close to the water and the end of the tubes get wet with tank water...
once I moved them up higher, the problem went away.

If you still have the issue, what about diluting it a bit and dosing more of it, more often.... to keep the lines clear. Just putting more liquid moving through the lines more often may help.

That's a great idea

 

[MikeyG]

The Y fitting and hooking up your ato to run thru the end of the dosing line is the best trick without having to change anything else.

That's an awesome idea.
Would I need to put a check valve on the dosing side to prevent the RODI water from flow back into my dosing pump?
Or should mounting the Y fitting towards the tip of the tube tace of that!

 

[Saltyreef]

That's an awesome idea.
Would I need to put a check valve on the dosing side to prevent the RODI water from flow back into my dosing pump?
Or should mounting the Y fitting towards the tip of the tube tace of that!

No check valve needed. The water will follow the path of least resistance which would be the open dosing line to the sump.
Your peristaltic pump already prevents bleed back with the roller pinching the dosing tube as well.
Put the y as close to the crust formation as possible.