Dosing Containers

[dvybiral]

Hello,
Okay folks I have the Apex system and the DOS , I am at the point where I need a dosing container and I would buy the Neptune DDR, but with all the poor reviews I don't feel comfortable. I bought a container called Simplicity at Marine Depot, but it sucks air in the tubing even after purging many times. I don't think it is the DOS causing the air bubbles so I need ideas on a different container, or is it the DOS or is it the operator or the container? Thanks Reefers.

 

[TheHarold]

Hello,
Okay folks I have the Apex system and the DOS , I am at the point where I need a dosing container and I would buy the Neptune DDR, but with all the poor reviews I don't feel comfortable. I bought a container called Simplicity at Marine Depot, but it sucks air in the tubing even after purging many times. I don't think it is the DOS causing the air bubbles so I need ideas on a different container, or is it the DOS or is it the operator or the container? Thanks Reefers.

So a container in itself would not cause the bubbles. It has to be at one of the fittings. Correct that, and you wont get bubbles anymore

 

[JoshH]

Air bubbles seem to be a common theme with the DOS and it's usually the fittings that connect the DOS tubing to the tubing to the containers. Theres a thread kicking around about how to fix it I'll have to dig it up

 

[dvybiral]

So a container in itself would not cause the bubbles. It has to be at one of the fittings. Correct that, and you wont get bubbles anymore

Thanks, I have checked fittings many times maybe its the fittings on the DOS I will check

 

[TheHarold]

Air bubbles seem to be a common theme with the DOS and it's usually the fittings that connect the DOS tubing to the tubing to the containers. Theres a thread kicking around about how to fix it I'll have to dig it up

I think it was either to upgrade to those John guest connectors, or just undo the fittings and add some silicone grease when reconnecting?

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm not an Apex owner or know anything about DOS, so I might be totally off base.....I'm old school BRS pumps. What I ended up using are cereal containers from WalMart. What I like about them is that they have a wide opening, making additions of more Alk and Calc very easy.

 

[TheHarold]

I'm not an Apex owner or know anything about DOS, so I might be totally off base.....I'm old school BRS pumps. What I ended up using are cereal containers from WalMart. What I like about them is that they have a wide opening, making additions of more Alk and Calc very easy.

Though if the OP's issue is a bad fitting on his reservoir, that wouldn't be fixed by changing dosers

 

[dvybiral]

Thanks, I have checked fittings many times maybe its the fittings on the DOS I will check

Thanks, if you find the thread I will check it out.

 

[WVNed]

I went high tech and used plastic gallon vinegar jugs

 

[JoshH]

Thanks, if you find the thread I will check it out.

I'll dig around, but I believe @TheHarold is right with the John Guest fittings being the upgrade to stop the air leaks.

 

[dvybiral]

What John Guest fittings are you talking about?

 

[Reefnoobz90]

Where do the bubbles start? Are their bubbles before then doser? If they are coming from the container they would show up in the intake line of the dos. I have the simplicity container as well and mines been great. I use the silicone tubing from simplicity along with it so maybe that helps?

Silicon Dosing tubing (Red, Yellow or Green) sold by the foot

vibrant colors to help keep track of and organize your dosing tubes. Made of heavy duty silicone that stays flexible and resists cracking. Fits most dosing pumps using 1/4 inch tubing. Tubing size is 4mm ID/6mm OD

clearchoiceaquatics.com

 

[JoshH]

This is a snapshot from another thread and the link to the fitting I mentioned....

John Guest Female Adapter NPTF Polypro - 1/4 x 1/4 NPTF

The John Guest female adapter makes connecting OD tubing to male NPT threads quick and easy. Manufactured in polypropylene with food grade EDPM O-ring, these fittings were developed for the filtered pure water market. Features: Push-fit Technology creates reliable, leak-free connections Used to...

www.freshwatersystems.com

I will add, make sure it is indeed the connection at the DOS causing the issue. Double check your other fittings as well first.

 

[dvybiral]

Where do the bubbles start? Are their bubbles before then doser? If they are coming from the container they would show up in the intake line of the dos. I have the simplicity container as well and mines been great. I use the silicone tubing from simplicity along with it so maybe that helps?

Silicon Dosing tubing (Red, Yellow or Green) sold by the foot

vibrant colors to help keep track of and organize your dosing tubes. Made of heavy duty silicone that stays flexible and resists cracking. Fits most dosing pumps using 1/4 inch tubing. Tubing size is 4mm ID/6mm OD

clearchoiceaquatics.com

I am just using the DOS tubing that came with the unit, maybe I need to order the Simplicity tubing.

 

[Water Dog]

Yup, that John Guest DOS connection mod is great! No more air bubbles when used with the DDR.

 

[Reefnoobz90]

I am just using the DOS tubing that came with the unit, maybe I need to order the Simplicity tubing.

I'd try the fittings first, I don't use the dos so maybe that's the issue

 

[ca1ore]

It’s not unusual to get some air right after the output end of a peristaltic pump if the tube end is not submerged. If you actually are sucking air on the input side then there’s a ‘hole’ somewhere. There aren’t a lot of places to look. Could be either end of the gray connector, or the input tubing itself.

I bought the 1/8” NPT to 1/4”
John guest adapters (they thread right into the gray connector on the DOS), but have not put them on yet.

 

[LagoonLounge]

Cheap but look decent

 

[ca1ore]

There are parts that will require replacement, though the task you assign to the DOS will dictate frequency. I use mine for AWC, which is harder on the mechanicals than dosing. I replace the peri tubing about every six months. I have spare roller heads, but almost two years in and the originals show no signs of excessive wear.

 

[jd371]

I had problems with bubbles in my setup ( Jebao DP4). I swapped the plastic bottles that I was using for the VOSS glass bottles and DIY'd them with John Guest fittings and replaced the silicone tubing with RODI tubing... no more bubbles.