Dosing carbon with an IV kit...anybody doing this?

Daniel@R2R · Apr 10, 2013

Ok, so I'm dosing carbon, and up till now, I've just been spraying it straight into the system once a day. Someone recently told me that this is not a good way to dose (what do I know??). I don't really think I want to buy a dosing pump in order to dose 10ml per day of vinegar and a couple of ml of vodka, so I am thinking about buying an IV kit from a medical supply store (I found some for $5-$7) in order to dose. Is this a good idea? What could I be missing? Anybody ever used these?

RuRoo · Apr 10, 2013

I wouldn't try it. It's not that accurate IMO. In the long run, it's better to buy a dosing pump. I only use the IV tubing and such for acclimating fish.

steve99999 · Apr 14, 2013

They work great just add some ro water so you can drip
the solution over a few hours.

Reefing Madness · Apr 14, 2013

Yea, you can dose using an IV kit. You just have to get the right drip down to what your setting at the MLS for the day. No difference, except your dosing all day, which isn't a bad idea at all. I believe that Mel did this in his tank when he was dosing.
Found it, here ya go.
Melevsreef.com - Dosing Vodka to Lower Nitrate & Phosphate

cmaxwell39 · Apr 14, 2013

For what it is worth, I have dosed with vinegar/vodka by hand once a day, and I have also dosed using a dosing pump. I never really noticed a difference in the tank either way. I think the biggest advantage when dosing vinegar is if you are dosing large amounts you spread out the dose of the weak acid over a longer period of time so it shouldn't have as much effect on pH.

deboy69 · Apr 14, 2013

It would be accurate just pay attention to how drops equal a ml/cc. Probably need an iv bag too so you can just use that as a container. Which will also have ml marked on it

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Daniel@R2R · Apr 14, 2013

Thanks for the feedback! I think at this point, I'll just keep watching my ph and switch to the IV bag if the swing gets noticeable.

DerekFF · Apr 14, 2013

Use of a micro drip setup is very accurate (used for pediatric IV setups) they allow for a set volume to be delivered at a pretty accurate rate. You all have to realize these items are used on PEOPLE in emergencies and/or hospital visits. They HAVE to be pretty accurate or they wouldn't be allowed for use on humans. At any rate the micro drip sets are usually 60gtt/ml or in lay terms 60 drops per ml of fluid. In my opinion VERY accurate and can be super easily tuned to deliver fluid over the course of the day. I'm not sure however the long term effects of fluids like vinegar and vodka on the tubing/drip chamber. But it is a very accurate way of dosing to say the least. Good luck! (I'm a paramedic, I didn't just make any of this up in case any were wondering lol)
Personally I just dose a little in the morning, a little at night and have no issues with swinging anything. However I also don't have a large stocking of sps colonies yet either. Higher demands may require a more regular dosing routine.

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