I’ve been having issues with my All For Reef precipitating at the end of my dosing tubes. I’m using an IM dosing tube holder with push connect fittings and had a barb on each side. Would it be better to run a small tube into the water and have it come out under water?
Prevent All For Reef dosing tubes from clogging?
- Thread starter aaron186
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Following. I just have an open hose from the doser to a holder in the sump. I've gotten in the habit of just rolling the end of the hose between my thumb and index finger every day or two. I've heard of folks directing the ato outlet so it hits the end of the dosing tube to keep it clear. Not sure if having the hose submerged would be good or not.
hers0109
Community Member
I put a T fitting at the end of my dosing tube. The other side of the T is connected to my ATO. So when the ATO runs it flushes out the tip and any crystallization. Works flawlessly.
Someone else told me recently that just cutting the tube at a 45 degree angle with no tip on it solves too. Haven’t tried it though.
Someone else told me recently that just cutting the tube at a 45 degree angle with no tip on it solves too. Haven’t tried it though.
nate761
Community Member
I have my dosing tip submerged and i have an anti-reflux valve inline. Every 2 months or so ill take the dosing line and run RODI water through it for a few minutes to clean it out and then put it back into the dosing container for AFR. So far the line has never had problems with crystallization.
Mine is easy to get to and I run an open tube so will give this a try. Makes sense because a flat cut can allow a bubble to form which may be what causes the build up. I'll report back in a few days.
The tee would work I'm sure but my ato and dosing tube are different sizes so I'll try the angle cut. Thanks
EDIT : @hers0109 adding a few pics for future comparison. They'll be safer here than on my phone
I just cleaned this yesterday with the finger thumb rub.
The cut
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hers0109
Community Member
My ATO and dosing tubes are different sizes too but it has worked flawlessly. I did add a couple zip ties to secure the ATO line to the T though. A positive that has come from it is that the ATO is more precise since it’s draining a smaller volume/second into the return chamber.
Let me know how the 45 works. Seems to be the easiest thing to try and it’s what I’d do if I hadn’t already set this up.
It still forms a drop a crusts up with the angle cut. I'll just keep up the thumb index finger thing for now.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Yes, you may precipitate solids that way. Some folks run ATO fresh water into and out the same line to flush it. Diluting will help some as well.
Rothric
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It still forms a drop a crusts up with the angle cut. I'll just keep up the thumb index finger thing for now.
How often are you dosing a day?
I dose 12 times throughout the day and don't seem to get this buildup. I did notice some precipitation when I was only dosing once a day.
I think you nailed it. I only dose 3 times a day between 8am and noon so the little drip has time to dry out. It's not a big deal for me to clean it. I store supplies in the cabinet for manually dosing other tanks so I just give it a rub between my index finger and thumb each morning.
hers0109
Community Member
I was getting it dosing 24x per day too. As Randy said, flush with ATO is the way to go
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