my DIY automated 2 part dosing pump system

[glennr1978]

Okay, I'm not the best at describing things clearly, but I'll give it a shot. A while back when I got tired of dosing my tank for Alk and Ca everyday, I decided it was time to start thinking about getting a dosing pump. Well after a little research I realized that the LitermeterIII w/ the additional pump was a bit out of reach for me. I started thinking about it, and all a dosing pump does is pump a set ammount of liquid, at a set time, in set incriments over a period of time, right? So I brainstormed and came up with my DIY budget dosing system.

I'll start with the parts / equipment needed and what they cost.

2x's aqualifters .....around $12 each ($24)

2x's DIGITAL lamp timers....around $12 each at walmart. ($24)

THE LAMP TIMERS HAVE TO BE DIGITAL!!! The one's with the little tabs will not work for this application.

8'ish of airline tubing.....I don't remember exactly, but I'll guess it cost $8.

2x's airline ball valves....about $3

containers for your two part (optional, you could just use the ones they come in if you want).........$5 for two one liter containers with a lid at wal mart.

API test vial w/ a line that measures 5mL (I'm assuming we all have 1 or 10 of these lying around, lol)

Total cost (estimate)...... <$60.

Here's how it all works.

First, you need to know how much two part solution your tank consumes in a 24 hour period. My tank requires 25mL of each part so we'll use that as an example.

Plug one of the aqualifters into one of the digital timers. Now connect a piece of airline tubing to the nipple on the aqualifter that sucks air in. This piece of airline tubing will be placed in whatever container you decide to use for each of your two parts. Next connect another piece of airline tubing into the nipple on the aqualifter that pumps air out. At the end of this piece you will need to attach the airline ball valve.

Now that you've got it all put together it's time for the "hard part". Set the timer to turn one for ONE MINUTE, and then turn back off. While the pump is on adjust the valve so that it restricts the flow quite a bit. Basically you want to adjust the flow rate until it will only let the pump produce 5mL in one minute. This part will take a few tries to get it dialed in perfectly (took me about 5 or 6 attempts), you just have to be patient.

Now that you've got the pump and timer dialed in it's time to set your lamp timer. As stated earlier, my tank requires 25mL of each part daily. So I have my timer set to turn on and off for one minute 5x's throughout the night to dose for Alk. I don't remember at exactly waht times I have the timer set to dose, but it's about every 2 or so hours. I have it set to dose throughout the night to help prevent Ph swings which works outstanding I might add!!

In case you guys are wondering, the lamp timer can turn on and off up to 6x's a day. Whenver my SPS and clams are starting to use more than 25mL of each part daily adjustments to the system won't be a problem at all. I'll simply reset one of the times that the timer turns on and off from one minute to 2 minutes. Thus dosing 10mL. You could apply the same prinicple if your tank requires more than 35mL per day.

For Ca I do basically the same thing as above except I have that pump set to only turn on and off once a day. It turns on a 3:00pm daily for 5 minutes, dosing the full 25mL at once.


I hope that makes sense, and that some of you guys can use this sytem. It's worked quite well for me and my tank for well over 6 months. My readings fro dkh stay extremely consistant at 10, and Ca at 440-460 (API test kits). According to the data log on my Acjr. Ph doesn't pluctuate more than .12 in a 24 hour period.

This should be common sense, but I'll go ahead and state it anyway. MAKE SURE THE THE OUTLET NOZZLE IS PLACED HIGHER THAN THE LIQUID LEVEL IN YOUR 2 PART RESERVOIR CONTAINERS!!! If not then once the pump turns on for the first time it will start a syphon and drain the resErvoir......this will obviously cause BIG problems. Be careful!!

[bimmerzs]

Hi,

Great idea, one question though. What happens after a power outage, do the timers reset to zero and not dose or go to some default value.

Cheers,

[Rychek]

I've read looking into this sort of setup recently, so THANKS!

I've read elsewhere that the diaphrams in the aqualifter pumps will wear with time and become less efficient, thus reducing the total volume of liquid moved per minute. I don't know how long it takes for such wear to have a significant impact on a tank. However, it is something to be aware of.


@bimmerzs: I could be mistaken, but I think the lamp timers have a backup battery in them.

[glennr1978]

Originally Posted by bimmerzs

Hi,

Great idea, one question though. What happens after a power outage, do the timers reset to zero and not dose or go to some default value.

Cheers,

The timers have a battery back up that will keep them set. I believe it's for 48 hours.

[glennr1978]

Originally Posted by Rychek

I've read looking into this sort of setup recently, so THANKS!

I've read elsewhere that the diaphrams in the aqualifter pumps will wear with time and become less efficient, thus reducing the total volume of liquid moved per minute. I don't know how long it takes for such wear to have a significant impact on a tank. However, it is something to be aware of.

This may very well be true, but mine are still working just fine after 6 (actually I'm pretty sure it's closer to 7+ months) months. The only maintenance I've done is I've taken the airline ball valves off for cleaning.

[Rychek]

Sounds like a pretty good system then. I'll have to look into setting up something similar on my tank.

[glennr1978]

Originally Posted by Rychek

Sounds like a pretty good system then. I'll have to look into setting up something similar on my tank.

It works for me!!

[SoLiD]

That's pretty nifty, Glen.

[JimD]

Just as with any other piece of equipment, the Aqualifter pumps require periodic maintenence. Ive yet to replace a diaphragm or anything else for that matter, the only thing I do is take it apart, clean and inspect and reassemble. I would however, suggest using a filter at the intake.

[glennr1978]

Originally Posted by SoLiD

That's pretty nifty, Glen.

Thanks!!