"Balling Method" for supplementing

[ScubaDrew]

Good find Adam. Now I'll have to do some serious thinking the next rainy day we get. That looks like a great pump at a good price.

[Craig Manoukian]

Woohoo, great stuff folks!

[Dentoid]

Originally Posted by Anselth

Doni, found these while looking at the bulk supplies: Drew's Doser

I'm poking around to see what I can find out about them, but it looks at first glance like these would be hooked up to a controller to time how long they are on. Since they pump at 1.6 mL/minute, should be simple to control the amount you dose each day.

Does anyone know the dimensions of this doser? I e-mailed the company, but they did not respond.

[hma]

Originally Posted by Dentoid

Does anyone know the dimensions of this doser? I e-mailed the company, but they did not respond.

In the pics it looks to me like the same dimension as a standard dosing pump from AquaMedic Scott.

[Dentoid]

For some reason they are no longer showing up on the Bulk Reef Supplies site. I guess they have discontinued them. I'm going with the GrosTech III.

[Dentoid]

I'm just about ready to start the Balling method for reef dosing. I have everything on hand, except the doser, which is on a slow boat from Holland!

Thanks Woody for all your research and posting. It really did make it easy to order the needed components.

I'll keep you posted.

[Craig Manoukian]

Starting a thread for sure, eh Dentoid?

[gws3]

Great thread. I have been using a 3 part w/ supplements method of my own for sometime but will now incorporate the NaCl salt.

For those of you who have not purchased a dosing pump take a look at used peristaltic lab pumps. I was able to acquire a used Gilson Minipuls 3 for around $100 when I started automated dosing. These lab pumps are much higher quality than hobby grade pumps.

http://www.selectscience.net/images/...Mini_pulse.JPG

[Craig Manoukian]

Awesome link, thanks gws3! Oh, and welcome by the way!

[hma]

Hi "Balling Freaks"......

I meet on the coming week-end Hans Werner Balling (Tropic Marine) and Claude Schuhmacher (Fauna Marine) on a trade fair in Nuremberg (interzoo). If somebody questions or suggestions for one of the both has ...... let it me know. I transmit it with pleasure or discuss the question with both and reports afterwards here in the forum about that if interest exists.

[Woodstock]

Originally Posted by hma

Hi "Balling Freaks"......

I meet on the coming week-end Hans Werner Balling (Tropic Marine) and Claude Schuhmacher (Fauna Marine) on a trade fair in Nuremberg (interzoo). If somebody questions or suggestions for one of the both has ...... let it me know. I transmit it with pleasure or discuss the question with both and reports afterwards here in the forum about that if interest exists.

Excellent!! YOu have very good connections Heinz!

[Dentoid]

Thanks Heinz! I have a question that I have not been able to work out in theory. I know, from reading, that there is a build up of NaCl using this method. My question is, are water changes to be done with the NaCl free salt mix? If so, the small canister that I received will not be enough.

[Craig Manoukian]

That's awesome Heinz!

[hma]

Originally Posted by Dentoid

Thanks Heinz! I have a question that I have not been able to work out in theory. I know, from reading, that there is a build up of NaCl using this method. My question is, are water changes to be done with the NaCl free salt mix? If so, the small canister that I received will not be enough.

I can answer this question to you already now Scott.

With the Balling method calcium and carbonate hardness is supplied, while calcium chloride (CaCl2) and Natriumhydrogencarbonat (NaHCO3), called also sodium, are added. As a "waste product" originates sodium chloride (NaCl).

Indeed, this NaCl is the main part of the sea salt (approx. 75%), so in big measure available, nevertheless, one should complement to prevent a gradual change of the water composition a salt Free of NaCl, so that from the sum "natural" sea salt originates again. Therefore the salinity increases bit by bit in the aquarium, therefore, keep an eye always on the density and with the water change a little less salt in the set one anew

I hope this was explained understandably?

[Woodstock]

Originally Posted by hma

I can answer this question to you already now Scott.

With the Balling method calcium and carbonate hardness is supplied, while calcium chloride (CaCl2) and Natriumhydrogencarbonat (NaHCO3), called also sodium, are added. As a "waste product" originates sodium chloride (NaCl).

Indeed, this NaCl is the main part of the sea salt (approx. 75%), so in big measure available, nevertheless, one should complement to prevent a gradual change of the water composition a salt Free of NaCl, so that from the sum "natural" sea salt originates again. Therefore the salinity increases bit by bit in the aquarium, therefore, keep an eye always on the density and with the water change a little less salt in the set one anew

I hope this was explained understandably?

Correct me if I am wrong please...
I understand you to say that during supplementation (ca, alk, mg) we are slowly increasing the sodium level so we must keep a close eye on the salinity level and reduce the salinity if necessary in small amounts; either by lower salinity water changes OR by removing tank water and replacing it with a NaCL-free mixture. Am I correct?