What’s the Math ?

[Val Shebeko]

I have an auto water change setup going and would like to put all the additives in at once in the beginning of each batch. Here are the facts

Each batch is 40 gallons or 151,417 mils.
Each day about 8,350 mils of “new” water goes in and about the same amount leaves.
Each batch of 151, 417 mils lasts about 18 days.

If I am adding 2.5 mils of additive via a dosing pump does that mean a 45 mil addition into a new batch will give me the same result as daily dosing via doing pump?

Thank you very much.

 

[Formulator]

Yes, your math works out to me. What are the additives exactly? Another important consideration is stability and solubility of the additive when added to saltwater at higher concentration than the product was intended. Most things are probably fine, but some salt solutions for example might be too concentrated to use the way you are proposing.

 

[Val Shebeko]

Yes, your math works out to me. What are the additives exactly? Another important consideration is stability and solubility of the additive when added to saltwater at higher concentration than the product was intended. Most things are probably fine, but some salt solutions for example might be too concentrated to use the way you are proposing.

Well , the additives would be

Ca, Mg, Carbonate, Red Sea Trace, Lanthium, and some home made NoPox.

And thank you for answering.

 

[Reefering1]

Mil or ml?

 

[Val Shebeko]

Milliliter. As in 1000 to a liter .

 

[Formulator]

Well , the additives would be

Ca, Mg, Carbonate, Red Sea Trace, Lanthium, and some home made NoPox.

And thank you for answering.

Cool. I think it would be prudent to do a scaled down test batch to make sure nothing precipitates at the higher concentration you will have in your dosing reservoir vs the concentration of the additive when you add directly to your full system volume. Getting 45 mL into 40 gallons of saltwater without precipitation vs 2.5 mL into your tank volume is a pretty big difference from a solubility perspective.

 

[PharmrJohn]

As memory serves (and I don't trust THAT anymore lol!) I used to mix up a batch of about half to three-quarter gallon of saltwater with whatever dose was required of Ca, Mg or Baking Soda (seperately) and add it as a slow drip from a MacGyvered contraption into my sump. Do what @Formulator suggests and premix a smaller volume to test.

 

[Val Shebeko]

Had not considered any of this. i was trying to. Hesp out on buying another dosing pump. CleRly more Macguvering is required.

I thank you all for your help !

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I do not recommend putting alkalinity into new salt water, unless you track how high the alk is getting and know it is not high enough to cause excessive calcium carbonate precipitation.

 

[Val Shebeko]

I do not recommend putting alkalinity into new salt water, unless you track how high the alk is getting and know it is not high enough to cause excessive calcium carbonate precipitation.

Thank you, appreciate your insight.

 

[Val Shebeko]

Milliliter. As in 1000 to a liter .

Have to ask, there us a difference. I always thoughts it was nomenclature.

 

[Val Shebeko]

Thank you, appreciate your insight.

How does this precipitation manifest itself?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How does this precipitation manifest itself?

White solids/cloudiness that won’t dissolve and will settle out.