Kalkwasser Dosing - Tubing Wear and Clogging

[Tomzpc]

I'm going to begin switching to kalkwasser soon for my top-off water after many years of relying on two-part solely to maintain my calcium and alk levels. I will be dosing with a Litermeter pump and had a couple of questions:

Is it recommended that the end of the tubing for the kalkwasser discharge line be above the water line or submerged in the sump?
Which will require more regular cleaning of the tube outlet.

Will the tubing clog or degrade along it's run and if so is there an easy way to monitor and clean it?

I read an old post where someone was dosing kalkwasser via a liter meter and they said that the tubing clogged which caused the tube to break away from the pump from the pressure which had the effect of dumping kalkwasser all over the floor. Obviously I'd like to avoid such a scenario at all costs. :p

Thanks...Tom

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The discharge should be above the water line.

It may slowly get clogged, especially at the end. Periodically run some acid through it to dissolve out any solids. Vinegar or diluted muriatic acid from the hardware store are the best acid options.

These articles may help:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.htm

[Tomzpc]

Thanks Randy.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You're welcome.

Good luck. :)

[jnb]

why should the discharge be above the waterline? thanks



<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7958299#post7958299 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
The discharge should be above the water line.

It may slowly get clogged, especially at the end. Periodically run some acid through it to dissolve out any solids. Vinegar or diluted muriatic acid from the hardware store are the best acid options.

These articles may help:

What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

What is that Precipitate in My Reef Aquarium?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.htm

[avgjoe]

jnb: I think Randy mentioned that it causes the nozzle to clog faster if it is below the water line. Another issue with a submerged nozzle is the possiblity of creating a reverse siphon and draining your tank.