Semi-Airtight dosing container input

acroholic

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I am starting to dose that AcroPower amino acid supplement in my 465, and I am going to use a spare peristaltic pump drive for that. I would like to make a reusable airtight container to hold the acropower.

I'll use a plastic gallon jug as an example. Most homemade dosing containers I see have a tight fitting piece of tubing going into them through the lid, with a second small hole drilled in the lid as well to let air in as the liquid is pulled from the container. To not do so would mean the container would slowly crush if the dosing pump were strong enough. I kind of like the idea of the container being sealed.

So how about this: Instead of just drilling a second hole to let air in, how about one of those cheapo bladder type air pump check valves siliconed into the air inlet hole, so it would let air into the container as the dosing pump pulls it out and creates a slight vacuum in the dosing container, but keep it sealed from room air when the dosing pump is not in use?

Am I overthinking this, hehehe?
 
Sounds legit to me. Is there a requirement with what you are dosing to keep the room air away?
 
wildernet;928286 wrote: Sounds legit to me. Is there a requirement with what you are dosing to keep the room air away?

Not really. The AcroPower can be stored at room temp. I don't like the idea of evaporation, albeit as small as that amount may be. I guess also the amoinos are organic, so when I think organic I think "it can spoil." Probably more of an issue in my mind than in reality.
 
I run into that all the time. Your idea will keep exposure to a minimum and should not allow evaporation.
 
Absolutely, probably very little but still...are you talking about air pump tubing check valves?
Edit: re-read it and yes, sounds like a great idea Dave.
 
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Sent from my HTC EVO 4G using tapatalk that works as same as my skimmer! both sucks!!
 
There's plenty of ways to allow for gas exchange without contaminating your amino acids. I understand why you would want a nutrient-rich solution to be protected.

One cheap option is to drill a hole, take a puff of polyfil, and roll it into a ball. Then take the polyfil and pull it through the hole until you have equal amounts on either side. You don't want it to be too tight. This is extremely effective.

Even better method would be to order some synthetic filter discs. Then you just put a circle of silicone around the edge of the disc and place the silicone side bottom down over the hole. This is the most effective, filtering out all particles to a particular micron size.

Last but not least, a simple square of micropore tape available at any drug supply store will allow for gas exchange while effectively preventing any contaminants from entering the container

Edit:
Acroholic;928288 wrote: Not really. The AcroPower can be stored at room temp. I don't like the idea of evaporation, albeit as small as that amount may be. I guess also the amoinos are organic, so when I think organic I think "it can spoil." Probably more of an issue in my mind than in reality.

Not at all in your mind Dave. Anything that is nutrient based will spoil in the open air of any room.

While you're thinking in the right direction with the bladder, the three options provided will be more effective at allowing air to enter the container but not allowing any contamination.
 
Thanks for the responses everyone. I think what I am trying to do is replicate the inside of a sealed bottle, but allow my peristaltic pump to pull the liquid from it when needed. If you have a bottle of aminos and you unscrew the top, pull 13 ml, then replace the top, no air goes in or out except when you open the bottle. I thought of the check valve because the check valve will only allow air in when there is partial vacuum inside the container, and not allow any out at all. My original thought was to prevent the passage of air into or out of the dosing container except when the pump was running

I'll have to cogitate on this and everyone's suggestions. I'll post what I come up with. Thanks again!!!
 
If you have one of the skimmer air inlet silencer laying around you could use it a peace of polyfilter and a barb fitting on the jug to filter in coming air. Pm me if you need one
 
Dave,
would something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Syringe-Filter-PVDF-diameter-0-2um/dp/B005T45FZM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390286258&sr=8-1&keywords=syringe+filter">Syringe Filter, PVDF, 25mm diameter, 0.2um, 10/pk: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31itthhnUpL.@@AMEPARAM@@31itthhnUpL</a>

It basically a disposable sterile air filter ( like what they recommend for phyto and rotifer culturing). It would allow air in, but it should be clean. I don't know if oxidation would be an issue with the amino acids or not. Hope it helps.
 
How about an IV bag or the like. Then you would not need to worry about the air at all.
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Thank you for the other suggestions as well. I just want to limit air flow into/out of the container, and not necessarily filter air. If I limit air into the container to only when the pump is on, there should not be any evaporative issues either.
 
If all youre worried about is evaporation, then why not install an air like check valve rather then just drill a hole.

If its not about evaporation I really dont see the need to over think it so much.
 
EnderG60;928595 wrote: If all youre worried about is evaporation, then why not install an air like check valve rather then just drill a hole.

If its not about evaporation I really dont see the need to over think it so much.

That's what I proposed doing in the first post. Not sure how we got onto the air filtration angle.
 
Not sure how we got onto the air filtration angle.

I feel like that would be my fault.
Now that Rich is getting out, somebody has to step up and lead these threads far off course. I feel like you are in good hands now.
 
Acroholic;928600 wrote: That's what I proposed doing in the first post. Not sure how we got onto the air filtration angle.

Because that's the correct solution to the proposed problem of how to keep your acropower from spoiling. I wouldn't do it any other way. You would experience almost no evaporation through a 1/4" hole with a filter pad over it and siliconed edges.

Edit:
Acroholic;928499 wrote: Thank you for the other suggestions as well. I just want to limit air flow into/out of the container, and not necessarily filter air. If I limit air into the container to only when the pump is on, there should not be any evaporative issues either.

With a container with a small open hole there would be no air flow if the temperature is the same inside and out. It's a still air zone. The negative pressure would draw air in when the pump pulls fluid out of te container.
 
JDavid;928628 wrote: Because that's the correct solution to the proposed problem of how to keep your acropower from spoiling. I wouldn't do it any other way. You would experience almost no evaporation through a 1/4" hole with a filter pad over it and siliconed edges.

Edit:

With a container with a small open hole there would be no air flow if the temperature is the same inside and out. It's a still air zone. The negative pressure would draw air in when the pump pulls fluid out of te container.

Well, what I was getting at with the check valve was it would be very similar to opening a container for manual dosing, pulling an amount out, then screwing the top back on. You expose new air to the liquid when you take the cap off and pour the amount you are dosing out, then screw the cap back on.

In a sealed container with liquid being pulled out via a peristaltic pump, with a secondary hole attached to a one way check valve, no air enters except when the pump is dosing, similar to new air that would get into the container by unscrewing the cap for manual dosing than resealing. When the pump is not moving, the container is sealed, with no air entering or leaving the container.

Pulling out, for example, 15 ml of liquid, either manually or via a dosing pump will introduce an equal volume of air to replace the liquid that is removed, with the container sealed from in/out air movement.

This should be the equivalent of keeping the aminos in a sealed container, which is fine for the storage of AcroPower, which doesn't need refrigeration. No evaporation either.
 
Check valve would be fine.

Edit: easier to acquire as well, I suppose.
 
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