Neptune DOS for Kalkwasser

[MrTang13]

Could I fill the two Neptune DOS chambers with Kalkwasser and have the DOS pump it slowly into my DOS?

Would the Kalkwasser clog or damage the pump head?

How often would I have to replace the Kalkwasser?

I’m trying to decide this or to use two part.

 

[Ocelaris]

Kalkwasser doesn't require that level of specificity usually. Most people run a stirrer off their ato system. Imo the dos is better set up for 2 part. Again, imo, it would be a waste of an expensive pump for kalk. Look up kalk stirrer, and that is usually easier than using a peristaltic pump for kalk.

 

[littleruttiger]

Assuming you want to dose kalk for alkalinity, the problem with using the ato is that your dosing is limited by the evaporation rate. If the alk demand is high enough, just adding it via the ato will not keep up with the demand.

I use a DOS to add kalkwasser. I spent a day taking alk readings with a Hanna every hour, and changed the dosing to account for the diurnal alkalinity swing - I don't remember exactly, but I dose about 80% during lights on, about 20% when lights are off. This keeps the alk pretty darn constant.

I've done this since 11/2016, so a little over two years. It is a waste in the sense that you'll only need a single DOS pump, leaving the other unused. From time to time the end of the tube will have kalk build up, restricting flow, so I make sure to submerse the end in the sump and squeeze it, which dissolves the build up away. Some people have complained about the DOS, but I've had no issues with it, I've used the same pump head for the entire time. It's starting to get a little loud now though, so I may have to switch to the other one pump head soon (which is why I didn't mind leaving the other unused, it's a replacement that's always ready to go). I also haven't bothered to check the calibration, so it's possible it's not dosing what it says it is, but I check the alk enough to maintain consistent levels, I don't really care about the exact dosing levels. But, I'd need to check this if/when I switch dosing heads.

I keep the kalk in a bucket in the sump, no stirrer. The top skims over, keeping the alkalinity levels of the kalkwasser what it should be. I make sure the tube isn't in the bottom of the bucket (where the undissolved kalk settles), so it draws from the middle. I replenish the bucket with saturated kalk every day or two (two teas per gallon), just pour it in. Eventually, the undissolved kalk powder will need to be cleaned out from the bucket.

I'm reaching the limits, in terms of ph, of dosing kalkwasser, so I might have to switch to two part at some point. But it's been really simple and consistent so far.

 

[MrTang13]

Assuming you want to dose kalk for alkalinity, the problem with using the ato is that your dosing is limited by the evaporation rate. If the alk demand is high enough, just adding it via the ato will not keep up with the demand.

I use a DOS to add kalkwasser. I spent a day taking alk readings with a Hanna every hour, and changed the dosing to account for the diurnal alkalinity swing - I don't remember exactly, but I dose about 80% during lights on, about 20% when lights are off. This keeps the alk pretty darn constant.

I've done this since 11/2016, so a little over two years. It is a waste in the sense that you'll only need a single DOS pump, leaving the other unused. From time to time the end of the tube will have kalk build up, restricting flow, so I make sure to submerse the end in the sump and squeeze it, which dissolves the build up away. Some people have complained about the DOS, but I've had no issues with it, I've used the same pump head for the entire time. It's starting to get a little loud now though, so I may have to switch to the other one pump head soon (which is why I didn't mind leaving the other unused, it's a replacement that's always ready to go). I also haven't bothered to check the calibration, so it's possible it's not dosing what it says it is, but I check the alk enough to maintain consistent levels, I don't really care about the exact dosing levels. But, I'd need to check this if/when I switch dosing heads.

I keep the kalk in a bucket in the sump, no stirrer. The top skims over, keeping the alkalinity levels of the kalkwasser what it should be. I make sure the tube isn't in the bottom of the bucket (where the undissolved kalk settles), so it draws from the middle. I replenish the bucket with saturated kalk every day or two (two teas per gallon), just pour it in. Eventually, the undissolved kalk powder will need to be cleaned out from the bucket.

I'm reaching the limits, in terms of ph, of dosing kalkwasser, so I might have to switch to two part at some point. But it's been really simple and consistent so far.

Assuming you want to dose kalk for alkalinity, the problem with using the ato is that your dosing is limited by the evaporation rate. If the alk demand is high enough, just adding it via the ato will not keep up with the demand.

I use a DOS to add kalkwasser. I spent a day taking alk readings with a Hanna every hour, and changed the dosing to account for the diurnal alkalinity swing - I don't remember exactly, but I dose about 80% during lights on, about 20% when lights are off. This keeps the alk pretty darn constant.

I've done this since 11/2016, so a little over two years. It is a waste in the sense that you'll only need a single DOS pump, leaving the other unused. From time to time the end of the tube will have kalk build up, restricting flow, so I make sure to submerse the end in the sump and squeeze it, which dissolves the build up away. Some people have complained about the DOS, but I've had no issues with it, I've used the same pump head for the entire time. It's starting to get a little loud now though, so I may have to switch to the other one pump head soon (which is why I didn't mind leaving the other unused, it's a replacement that's always ready to go). I also haven't bothered to check the calibration, so it's possible it's not dosing what it says it is, but I check the alk enough to maintain consistent levels, I don't really care about the exact dosing levels. But, I'd need to check this if/when I switch dosing heads.

I keep the kalk in a bucket in the sump, no stirrer. The top skims over, keeping the alkalinity levels of the kalkwasser what it should be. I make sure the tube isn't in the bottom of the bucket (where the undissolved kalk settles), so it draws from the middle. I replenish the bucket with saturated kalk every day or two (two teas per gallon), just pour it in. Eventually, the undissolved kalk powder will need to be cleaned out from the bucket.

I'm reaching the limits, in terms of ph, of dosing kalkwasser, so I might have to switch to two part at some point. But it's been really simple and consistent so far.

Thats really helpful. I’m trying to decide if Kalk or Two Part is better for the DOS.

So the Kalkwasser solution only lasts two days? Is this because you run out or because it expires?

My thought was to take a jug of distilled water, add two teaspoons, shake it, and use that as the resovoir.

 

[TX_Punisher]

Kalk and air do not play well together. It does better in a sealed environment.

I’m thinking of using the dos as well through kale reactor. That way I can fine-tune and control exactly how much kale is added hour by hour. I can then set commands in apex and trident to keep the pH and alk in a specific range and turn it off if ph and alk gets too high.

 

[Bio cube 32 Bryan]

Could I fill the two Neptune DOS chambers with Kalkwasser and have the DOS pump it slowly into my DOS?

Would the Kalkwasser clog or damage the pump head?

How often would I have to replace the Kalkwasser?

I’m trying to decide this or to use two part.

Do you happen to know how many ML of kalk solution you were dosing during the day and during the night?

 

[Bio cube 32 Bryan]

Thats really helpful. I’m trying to decide if Kalk or Two Part is better for the DOS.

So the Kalkwasser solution only lasts two days? Is this because you run out or because it expires?

My thought was to take a jug of distilled water, add two teaspoons, shake it, and use that as the resovoir.

 

[Bio cube 32 Bryan]

Kalk lasts longer than 2 days. I keep a ph meter in my mix and it stays at 12 for weeks, just make sure the vessel is covered.
Kalk is great for raising ph and not raising alk too high while doing so. Soda ash water raises alk just as much as ph. So if dosing and your ph is staying low you have to watch the alk because it will go above spec.