Ghetto drip feeder (1 Viewer)

[TexanReef]

My wife said I could get a dosing pump setup after I almost nuked the tank -- yet another “Oops” on the way to becoming competent at this hobby. I surprised her with this ghetto drip feeder.

Yes, I'm a terribad photographer. I keep waiting for someone to come drink my beer and snap some photos.

Liquid is added to the water bottle and the dip rate is regulated by the knot in the air tubing. Yes, this is the same concept used by many of us to drip-acclimate our livestock.


Considerations:

The water bottle and knot are situated outside the tank. Should the silicone give way or start leaking outside the tube, the knot should ensure the dosing liquid is spilled outside of the tank rather than going in the sump in one big gush.


The drip rate is regulated by the knot. Right now it drips at about one drop a second. A second knot would bring this rate down further.


I know the nature of the alk and calc drip will render this pretty worthless very quickly but for now it works and seems to be working well.


It was a fun project that took a surprising number of iterations before I could get a consistent drop per second. I doubt the longevity of the system but at the cost and ease of creation, a replacement can be made in a few minutes.

 

[soymilk]

Ghetto indeed. But as long as it works. Brs selling something similar for 15 bucks!

 

[flexrac]

i'll drink your beer and snap picks, just say when.

 

[flexrac]

dude fix the date on your camera,LOL!

 

[TexanReef]

LOL. I didn't even notice the date.

Anytime, Felix. Maybe we can work something out this long weekend.

 

[Mark L.]

Nothing wrong with ghetto if it works! I was going this route also. My wife saw what I was doing and just shook her head and told me "just buy the dosing pumps already!" Well I couldn't argue with her! LOL

 

[TexanReef]

Ha.

Yeah, she thinks it funny I've got all the $ under the tank and end up putting something together with chewing gum and bailing wire.

What I've haven’t let on is I don't really want dosing pumps with a built-in timer as that'll just negate a justification for a controller later.

Psychological manipulation is not abuse!

 

[flexrac]

Lol

 

[KyleH]

I use those plastic air valves for $0.50/ea to regulate drip

Mine doesn't look as ghetto, but maybe a craft by a kindergardener...

I grabbed a $1. sippy cup from walmart's clearance section or the dollar store where the built-in straw is part of the plastic cups and draws from the bottom. Shoved epoxy and a airline...but after 1 year, water has finally started to drip from the epoxy.

Using a plastic air valve (ebay 5 of them for $2.shipped), you can get better control to drip.

I usually dilute my mix with either tank water or rodi, so I don't mind the 1-3 drips per second. But a twist screw is easier to control than the knots on tubing that I have done in the past.

(Sadly, I have a $10. dosing pump sitting that I haven't gotten arround to use. because it has worked so well. With my cheap dosing pump, I need a timer or something to shut it off.)

-KyleH

 

[TexanReef]

Upgrade!

I gots spinners on my dripper now, yo!

 

[TexanReef]

Wow.

Either I need to clean my monitor or that picture is really, really blurry.

 

[steveb]

What are you dripping?

 

[TexanReef]

2-Part.

About 30ml a day during the evening for Ca, the Alk is about every other day.

 

[rhane71]

You can always use a new gas can, threaded micro valve, and tubing. Pre drill the hole for the micro valve slightly smaller so it screws into the gas can and attach the tubing to the other side of the microvalve. Adjust the micro valve to desired flow and you are done. No leaks and you can use whatever size can you want. Don't forget to label gas can. This a cheap and easy way to dose. I bought a bag of threaded micro valves from home depot for a couple of bucks. It's a clean look and no spills. If you use a 5 gal can you can dose for long time without having to mix solution every couple of days. I personally have used this set up with a 55 gal drum for years.

 

[TexanReef]

rhane,

How long do the micro valves work without being cleaned? Considering this is concentrated stuff, and seeing how it has discolored the plastic, I'd think a micro vavle would plug up pretty quickly.

But "thinking" and having experience with are two different things so I'm curious to hear of your maintenance, if any, on the valves.

 

[rhane71]

If dripping kalk, you would want to place the valve on the side of the can just a couple of inches from the bottom so when the kalk settles you dont get solids. Same if you use a 55 gal drum. On my drum I made a sight glass so I could see the level. Every 6 months or so I would open and close the valve to flush out the build up if needed. But all the years I used it I think I had a plugged valve maybe 2 or 3 times. I have about 10 micro valves if you want to try some. I could mail them to you for free if you want. Let me know.

 

[rhane71]

I have two kinds of micro valves. Threaded on both sides and threaded x slip. Both are good but the Threaded x slip are better for tubing in my opinion. I could send you one of each if you want.

 

[TexanReef]

Awesome. I'd like to try one.

Have PMed my info and thanks.

 

[rhane71]

Put them in the mail.

 

[TexanReef]

Thanks much. I'm sure they'll be much easier to dial in than the "upgrade" valve is turning out to be.