[Wet Thumb Forum]-Photo and Description of my new DIY dosage pumps unit

[Freemann]

Hi all
This is the photo of my new dosage pumps unit photo here. There are 4 DIY glass bottles 2.5 lt each that will contain the first K2SO4, the second KNO3, The third traces and PH2SO4 and the forth iron gluconate, all this will be diluted in 2 lt H2O each and will be dosed in specific concentrations daily this gives an absolute control on the dosing of each component separately. The pumps dose through the timers in increments of minimum 1 min which sends about 7 ml of liquid. After my experience of 1 1/2 years of using dosing pumps and the elimination of my top new leaves curling problem through the elimination of excessive K dosing, I am really confident to use this system in my new 130 gal tank to be in the next 1 1/2 months. By the way the last 2 chambers which will contain iron gluconate, traces will be covered with black paint to eliminate the oxidation of the above components.
And now a question. What could I use to eliminate the creation of bacteria cultures and such stuff in the bottles, in the pmdd recipe there was a reference to the use of a bit of hydrochloric acid added to the solution. Would you knowledgeable people agree on the use of it? Would it made some reaction with the above chemicals? In what concentrations would you use it? Would you suggest some other chemical instead of hydrochloric acid?
Thanks in advance

[Justin Fournier]

That all looks good! I was considering something similar before I got my new tank setup. Interesting thing about this tank though is dosing pumps would not work, because the macros do not always decline at the same rate. Sometimes it does quick, sometimes slower. I need N03, PH2SO2 and K2SO4 controlers. I could handle manually dosing FE and Trace.

I have never had any problems with fungus/bacteria ect in my fert bottles. Even ones that lasted for months. I keep black bottles no light can penetrate, I rinse them throughly with VERY hot water between mixes as well as using very hot water when I make the mixes.

Maybe you could consider using individual storage boxes make of black acrylic instead of glass.

[Freemann]

I have constant results using a single pump in another aquarium no problem whatsoever with the macros the glass bottles are for conservation of space purposes. I dont see a reason to blacken the macro bottles the trace iron bottles will be blackened.

[Justin Fournier]

I was only suggesting you blacken them to discourage mold, fungus or bacteria, since you ask how to prevent this. But you seem to have it figured out.