Dosing 2 part system - can it be mixed

[balajeek15]

I tried searching but couldn't find any result what i am looking far.

I currently does B-Ionic Calcium buffer system, Part-1 Calcium and Part-2 for Alkalinity using Neptune DOS, I believe there got to be a reason this are separate part containers and separate dosing.

If my dosing quantity is same and consistant, can both liquid be mixed and only one Dosing equipment is used? Or leave the liquid in different container but have a Y tubing for inlet of dosing so when dosing triggers it mixes send them (hope fully evenly)

any one thought about that?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Neither will work. In fact they should be dosed separately and often times 20 minutes apart.

They will instantly precipitate if mixed and be unusuable.

 

[Vahanyos]

Yes. do not mix them. IF they get mixed, I wouldn’t use it at all.

 

[balajeek15]

thanks for the feedback, I thought so but kept thinking if anyone thought about it.
as Justfebreezeit mentioned i hope neptune apex system is dosing it minutes apart
Neptune DOS is expensive if i have add other dosing equipment.

 

[cracker]

I won't do this. Once I poured some prt 2 into some prt 1 or vice versa . The solution turned to slush .

 

[Vahanyos]

thanks for the feedback, I thought so but kept thinking if anyone thought about it.
as Justfebreezeit mentioned i hope neptune apex system is dosing it minutes apart
Neptune DOS is expensive if i have add other dosing equipment.

Just set it to dose at least 30 mins apart. I dose the same product. My schedule is set so they’re dosed 1 hour apart

 

[balajeek15]

Just checked my apex and looks like its dosing every 10 min, Ca first then 1 min later Alk and it continues for 24hr period.
I set it 10ml each so its dosing 0.1 ml every ten min until it reach 10ml in 24hr period. This is by neptune default schedule.

Should i do it differently to set my own?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

.1ml is not a lot but i'd still try to space it out. The likelyhood of precipitation would drop considerably.

 

[balajeek15]

.1ml is not a lot but i'd still try to space it out. The likelyhood of precipitation would drop considerably.

How about i split 1ml for every 30 min by alternating Ca and Alk?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

How about i split 1ml for every 30 min by alternating Ca and Alk?

Sounds like a good plan to me!

 

[Vahanyos]

You have to space them out or you're going to get precipitation.... Whatever schedule you set, just make sure there is at least 20 minutes interval between Ca dosing and Alk dosing.

For example... Pump 1 doses the Ca solution, you'll have to wait 20 minutes before Pump 2 doses the Alk solution. Although it's small .1ml increments, you still have the chance of precipitation. Which most likely WILL occur if you don't allow enough time between doses for the solution to really get mixed in with the water.

 

[balajeek15]

Are we talking about precipitation in the storage container or in the end of outlet tube thats inside the sump?

 

[balajeek15]

You have to space them out or you're going to get precipitation.... Whatever schedule you set, just make sure there is at least 20 minutes interval between Ca dosing and Alk dosing.

For example... Pump 1 doses the Ca solution, you'll have to wait 20 minutes before Pump 2 doses the Alk solution. Although it's small .1ml increments, you still have the chance of precipitation. Which most likely WILL occur if you don't allow enough time between doses for the solution to really get mixed in with the water.

btw i downloaded (just make it easier so i don't have to create from scratch) another user setting for dosing thats every 15 min instead of 20 min you recommended, what do you think? need to be 20 at least, better?

 

[Vahanyos]

The longer you wait the better... if you see any precipitation then just make the interval longer. I see build up where the tubes dose into the tank... and just pay attention to any white crusty areas that do not look like salt creep.

 

[ZoWhat]

Word of Warning....bc no one seems to mention Alk poisoning if you dont know what you're doing with 2part solution!

I dabbled in dosing 2part without fully checking what my TRUE Calc and Alk uptake was daily/weekly.

"Uptake" meaning = the ml amount of the element absorbed by your corals daily/weekly....that in turn need an EXACT amount of 2part solution to replenish without OVER-REPLENISHING!

Lots of uptake calculators can be found googling them

It didn't take but a month for my Alk to hit a dangerously high 16dKH beeeeeecause.....

My 180g is mostly zoas and palys with almost nothing in the way of SPS.... so my Alk reuptake is hardly anything. My dosing of the Alk of the 2part was poisoning my tank

Luckily zoas and palys can take a high Alk for short extended periods of time.

So my advice:

* if you have mostly LPS, I would serious consider only do water changes and for-go 2part altogether

* if you have lots of SPS, do uptake testing to see EXACTLY what amt of Alk you truly need daily/weekly or your dKH will spin out of control

High dKH will definitely BURN your corals to death



.

 

[balajeek15]

Word of Warning:

I dabbled in dosing 2part without fully checking what my TRUE Calc and Alk uptake was daily/weekly.

"Uptake" meaning = the ml amount of the element absorbed by your corals daily/weekly. Lots of uptake calculators can be found googling them

It didn't take but a month for my Alk to hit a dangerously high 16dKH

My 180g is mostly zoas and palys with almost nothing in the way of SPS.... so my Alk reuptake is hardly anything. My dosing of the Alk of the 2part was poisoning my tank

Luckily zoas and palys can take a high Alk for short periods of time.

I've stopped 2parting altogether

So my advice:

* if you have mostly LPS, I would only do water changes and for-go 2part

* if you have lots of SPS, do uptake testing to see EXACTLY what amt of Alk you truly need daily/weekly or your DKH will spin out of control



.

Thanks for the feedback, currently i have only few corals zoas, hammers, leather, favia's. I will be adding more and more corals and will be a mixed reef tank, i want to keep the Ca/Alk steady and slowly increase while demand increases. I do test for Ca/Alk weekly to confirm its in the range. I don't do regular water changes, when i get my triton results in a few days i will add trace elements accordingly. thats the plan and I hope it works. I believe WC alone does not replenish all elements so why even bother doing anyway. I have seen especially in this forums reefers do it I am inspired and i want to try achieve that.

Thats one reason i started this thread to understand if dosing can be mixed that frees up my dosing equipment so i can use for others. Neptune DOS is expensive and i don't think i can't offed more than one at this point and i don't know if it makes sense to buy a different brand less expensive dosing unit to use with my Neptune Apex.

Great forum and always appreciate the feedbacks from fellow reefers.