NOPOX and Ecotech Marine Versa

[Geraud_NY]

Hello,

I would like to dose NOPOX with my Versa, but I noticed that air is entering from the output and pushing its way up into the tube, making it very unprecise, since the air is pushed back when dosing.

I assume this is due to the viscosity of the liquid itself, which is less than regular KH/Calcium solutions.

I am using standard silicon airlines: should I just switch to something smaller?
Thank you.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Can you post a picture of how you have it configured? Are you using the barb fittings? Or are you pushing the silicone air line into the push to connect fittings?

If you're not using the supplied barb fittings and pushing the silicone tube into the versa, you will not get a seal and the reason for the air bubbles. The push to connects are designed for 1/4" simi flexible tube like you see on rodi units.

Hope that helps to clarify.

Provide more details and we can get you up and running.

 

[Geraud_NY]

I am using the barb fittings.

The air is not entering at the pump level, but rather at the output level.


NOPOX bottle ===============(VERSA)================== -> The air enters from here.

This probably has to do with the fact that the Versa "realigns" its head after dosing, making air enter, which is fine, but this air seems to be going up the line even when dosing, especially at lower speeds.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Oh I see... makes perfect sense... i can see that the problem might compound itself. when I was testing micro dosing on mine, I added a pipette fitting on the end to prevent air from traveling up.

 

[Geraud_NY]

Thank you for the idea, I will try something similar!

 

[monti mike]

Can you post a picture of how you have it configured? Are you using the barb fittings? Or are you pushing the silicone air line into the push to connect fittings?

If you're not using the supplied barb fittings and pushing the silicone tube into the versa, you will not get a seal and the reason for the air bubbles. The push to connects are designed for 1/4" simi flexible tube like you see on rodi units.

Hope that helps to clarify.

Provide more details and we can get you up and running.

Hi @Sisterlimonpot - can you use airline tubing with the versa pump? I’m having issues with air getting in the lines and I have airline tubing connected to the barbs. The “in” tubes both have air somehow even though they’re connected to airtight bags. I primed them and pulled all the air out - this picture shows air somehow getting in... I’m wondering if I’m using the wrong tube or if I’m one of the lucky ones who got a bad unit.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Hi @Sisterlimonpot - can you use airline tubing with the versa pump? I’m having issues with air getting in the lines and I have airline tubing connected to the barbs. The “in” tubes both have air somehow even though they’re connected to airtight bags. I primed them and pulled all the air out - this picture shows air somehow getting in... I’m wondering if I’m using the wrong tube or if I’m one of the lucky ones who got a bad unit.

Based on the picture it certainly seems that air is entering through the tube connection on the bag. Something worth investigating are those green knobs.

How does that valve seal onto the bag? I'm not familiar with that bag, I've seen the "easy" bags with the more robust valve (I think sold separately), that could be a point for air entering in as well. I'm curious if that's a needle valve, and what does it use to maintain an air tight seal? Was it designed to maintain a seal with pressure in mind only? Will it maintain a seal in a vacuum environment?

From the picture it looks like your tubes are tightly sealed on the barbs. I would investigate that valve and educate myself more on how it's supposed to prevent air from entering the system.

 

[monti mike]

Based on the picture it certainly seems that air is entering through the tube connection on the bag. Something worth investigating are those green knobs.

How does that valve seal onto the bag? I'm not familiar with that bag, I've seen the "easy" bags with the more robust valve (I think sold separately), that could be a point for air entering in as well. I'm curious if that's a needle valve, and what does it use to maintain an air tight seal? Was it designed to maintain a seal with pressure in mind only? Will it maintain a seal in a vacuum environment?

From the picture it looks like your tubes are tightly sealed on the barbs. I would investigate that valve and educate myself more on how it's supposed to prevent air from entering the system.

The connectors are sold by easy reef to connect the smaller bags to a doser. The larger valve you’re thinking of us for the larger bags. So I hope that isn’t the source of air! The green knobs are a screw to close off the flow. I may try to tighten it a little to see if that changes anything. I’ve been pretty frustrated with the versa so far. Two of the heads leak on the output and Ecotech is sending me some replacement parts.

 

[Yevoc]

Pretty sure most dosers warn against dosing alcohol based solutions are to not damage the doser. Not a Versa owner but the DOS explicitly warned against it.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

The connectors are sold by easy reef to connect the smaller bags to a doser. The larger valve you’re thinking of us for the larger bags. So I hope that isn’t the source of air! The green knobs are a screw to close off the flow. I may try to tighten it a little to see if that changes anything. I’ve been pretty frustrated with the versa so far. Two of the heads leak on the output and Ecotech is sending me some replacement parts.

It's quite obvious that the air is entering from the bag connection, whether it's from the valve or the connection is still unknown. If the leak was further down the line the tube between the bag and versa would be void of air.