Dosing Reservoir Size

[sbash]

Hi Everybody!

I am ramping up my dosing system (for my 220), currently, I am using a 5 gallon bucket with a baking soda solution, and dosing manually calcium and magnesium. This is not sustainable, as I am travelling a lot for the next several months.

I have stared to move to Aquaforest Magnesium, and once my liquid calcium runs out, I will start with their calcium. Then if the cost makes sense, I will switch from baking soda to their KH buffer.

Anyway, while weighing my options for reservoirs, it seems 18 gallon reservoirs are dramatically cheaper (per gallon) than the 8 gallon option. So, given I am aiming to saturate my solutions as much as possible; are there any downsides to large dosing reservoirs?

Thanks!

 

[Ocelaris]

Usually you'll dose calcium and alkalinity in equal proportion, I'd look at the brs two parts, and Randy's formulas. It's often recommended to do your Dosing with soda ash, not baking soda, but make adjustments with baking soda if necessary. On my 110 with probably 20 frags to small colonies, I go through about 110ml a day, which lasts me a month or so. Even if you double my rate (which is a tad high), I think a 5 gallon should last you a few months?

Not sure the motivation to go with prepackaged products, but the brs soda ash, calcium chloride and magnesium mix are a good product and have worked out for me. The bionic is another prepackaged which has good results. But if you don't have a 2 head dosing pump, that's your answer. Do you have an Apex or similar controller? With a 5 Gallon bucket and dosing pumps, you should be able to go months without maintenance.

Check out Randy's formulas in the chemistry forum, that's what's worked for me.

But to answer your question, no, I don't see any issues with mixing large batches. They are relatively stable at the rates randy specified in his formulas. Kalk on the other hand is a bit less stable, but it sounds like you're going the 2 part route, so you should be fine.

 

[sbash]

Not sure the motivation to go with prepackaged products

What does that mean?

 

[Ocelaris]

Prepackaged is like brands, where as the raw chemicals is what I use and is cheaper and can provide the same results. Ie calcium chloride and sodium carbonate (soda ash).

Basically I was just asking if you would be comfortable looking at the raw ingredients and mixing, as the ones I use last a very long time. I don't know how much the branded versions require, so I was just wondering why you needed such a large container?

 

[sbash]

Prepackaged is like brands, where as the raw chemicals is what I use and is cheaper and can provide the same results. Ie calcium chloride and sodium carbonate (soda ash).

Basically I was just asking if you would be comfortable looking at the raw ingredients and mixing, as the ones I use last a very long time. I don't know how much the branded versions require, so I was just wondering why you needed such a large container?

Ah, makes sense...

The Aquaforest production I am referring to are pretty much the same as the BRS products you mention... but the BRS products are not as affordable in Canada... To further that, the 'soda ash' is suspiciously similar to baking soda @Randy Holmes-Farley can you comment on this product?

So, I think the confusion here is the Aquaforest dosing 'system' vs the Aquaforest raw products (which I am referring to)... That said, local availability is key here...

The larger container would just be for reducing costs, and laziness. If I can mix a batch every few months vs every couple weeks, that saves oodles of time over all...

 

[Ocelaris]

Soda ash is sodium carbonate, baking soda is sodium bicarbonate.

These chemicals are probably available in every country, they're extremely common. But best luck finding what's available to you.

 

[sbash]

Soda ash is sodium carbonate, baking soda is sodium bicarbonate.

These chemicals are probably available in every country, they're extremely common. But best luck finding what's available to you.

Okay, interesting...

So after some poking around, it looks like the the KH buffer (by Aquaforest, as mentioned above), is sodium bicarbonate. You are suggesting baking soda should not be used to maintain alk? You know what, I am going to kick this over to the chemistry forum... Thanks!

 

[Ocelaris]

Good idea!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, I dosed limewater (kalkwasser) from a 132 gallon reservoir. 3 x 44 gallon Brute cans plumbed together with bulkheads.

 

[sbash]

FWIW, I dosed limewater (kalkwasser) from a 132 gallon reservoir. 3 x 44 gallon Brute cans plumbed together with bulkheads.

Thanks for your input, I did pose this question over in your thread and was convinced So I tried the limewater route (mixed into my ATO reservoir); however, my ATO is gravity fed on a float valve, so it got all gunked up. It is also way too difficult to add (and mix) the kalkwasser powder due to the ATO reservoir being being so close to the ceiling... Then, the cost of it... lol... anyway, all that to say I decided to dose individually, using the products mentioned above...

 

[Ocelaris]

You might try a kalk stirrer, you can usually pick a decent used one by avast marine for about 100$, then you can run freshwater through your ato.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for your input, I did pose this question over in your thread and was convinced So I tried the limewater route (mixed into my ATO reservoir); however, my ATO is gravity fed on a float valve, so it got all gunked up. It is also way too difficult to add (and mix) the kalkwasser powder due to the ATO reservoir being being so close to the ceiling... Then, the cost of it... lol... anyway, all that to say I decided to dose individually, using the products mentioned above...

Yes, but you can still use a mammoth reservoir.

 

[sbash]

Yes, but you can still use a mammoth reservoir.

Lol, perfect, thank you!

 

[Ridgeway]

I use 20ltr containers for Alk and Calc and Mag isn't required. The Alk is filled every 2wks and that's just enough autonomy for me. Getting a good mixing process is important to save you time.