containers for pps mix

8734 Views 36 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Muirner, Jan 11, 2010

matt1045

Discussion Starter · Dec 21, 2008

Hi all,

I was looking for what would be considered the proper containers to hold this solution in. Anyone have any input on correct liquid containers? Something with ml level on it.

Thanks

1 - 20 of 37 Posts

supersmirky

· #2 · Dec 21, 2008

Hi Matt

I just store my mix in a hydrogen peroxide bottle which also serves a purpose because it doesn't let any light in.

You could always use a set of measuring spoons to measure out your dose. I figured out for my tank, that I use three fills of the peroxide bottle cap to dose....It doesn't have to be exact and plus I don't have to pull out measuring spoons or whatever every single day to dose the ferts.

Hope this helps....

matt1045

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 21, 2008

yeah it does thanks.

I just wanted a container that was at least 250ml-500ml which had a wide mouth but also measuring marks on it. Since I am doing the pps-pro I was going to make a measured mix and need the marks to see im where i want to be at. Then to dose I was going to use a syringe, hence the wide mouth.

Also supersmirky thanks for all the help. It seems that you are the only one willing to do so. I would think in a forum as huge as this one there would be more. I really appreciate your passing on of knowledge

fishyface

· #4 · Dec 21, 2008 (Edited)

oops, double post :third:

fishyface

· #5 · Dec 21, 2008

i'm not sure if this will help you out or not but i'm getting 2 of these for macros and trace dosing. just squeeze the bottle to measure how much you want to dose and then dump it in. syringe works ok but is very much a hassle IMO. link: http://www.kirkside.com.au/popup.asp?/Uploads/Images/catalyst-dispenser-bottles.jpg

Brilliant

· #6 · Dec 21, 2008

For autodosing I use rubbermaid bottles with measurements on the side you can get them at Target, Walmart, ect...

For manual dosing I use these bottles in 16oz size.

wet

· #7 · Dec 21, 2008

2

I think fishyface's linked product is super cool and I want, so 'case anyone else in the US is interested, here's the cheapest I found after ten minutes on google (my trek got me to using "dispenser bottle graduated"):

http://sciencekit.com/dispenser-with-adjustable-volume/p/IG0025964/

This looks tasty too. Trims says its a couple months or less before you see ADA or Orlando or Cal Aqua or Malaysia market this

http://sciencekit.com/liquid-reagent-dispensers-teacher-developed,-classroom-tested/p/IG0020159/

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helgymatt

· #8 · Dec 21, 2008

I got some pump bottles at a beaty store that pumps 3 ml at a time. Cheap and easy.

fishyface

· #9 · Dec 21, 2008

helgymatt said:
I got some pump bottles at a beaty store that pumps 3 ml at a time. Cheap and easy.

i've tried those too but get inconsistent measurements from mine.

here's some for a few bucks less that the ones wet found...not quite as nice but they do the job: http://www.eagerplastics.com/dispenser.htm

freydo

· #10 · Dec 21, 2008

i just use E-Z Spray bottles. each squirt measures approx 1ml and it has markings on the side up to 455ml, and they cost me $1 at canadian tire.

wet

· #11 · Dec 21, 2008

While many options exist and have worked fine for me over the years, I have faith the second bottle's syringe meets pump's awesomeness will rival being the Operator of my Pocket Calculator. I'll post pics. I hope it's glass

matt1045

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 21, 2008

so many options. Thanks everyone. Just one more thing. What type of plastic is ok? I know you all have posted options, but what about those dollar brand plastic containers? As long as it has a ml measure on the side and is 500ml thats al i need. I don't need to over-complicate my dosing no offense to everyone but I am new. I have syringes so I just need a container that will hold my solution when i have it mixed and put it in the fridge.
Thanks

Nevermore

· #13 · Dec 22, 2008

I would think any plastic container that was made for holding liquid for consumption would be ok. Generally, it will say on the package if the plastic is not safe.

matt1045

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 22, 2008

Thanks nevermore

fishyface

· #15 · Dec 23, 2008

just an update for y'all, i got the squeeze catalyst dispenser bottle linked in my above post today and all i can say is "candy!". i've been dosing various methods for years and apart from auto dosing, this beats all hands down!

very worth the effort and money to dig one up based on my experience.

Commodore 64

· #16 · Dec 26, 2008 (Edited)

SO is it okay to use containers that let some light in? I've got some 500ml cloudy but still translucent bottles, and I have some insoluble precipitate in my CSM+B mix.

It could also be because Iuse the same syringe to dose my macros and there could be a little bit of macro solution getting in there too.

Amazon Link. 9 bucks for 16oz

Edit: I bought 2 of This Dispenser becasue I had a gift card for amazon. Will let you know how they work out.

wet

· #17 · Dec 26, 2008 (Edited)

It is best to use a container that lets no light in when using any chelated iron in solution, but one alternative to using an opaque container is to just make really short lasting mixes (say, a week to two weeks) and keep the bottle in a cupboard between dosings. The other trick here is to make such a dilution with big doses to make your life easier and lower your margin of error when using a target.monitoring based dosing system like PPS: make your mix for doses of say 15mL (1 TBL) or more.

But like anything you can makeshift a workaround with the opaque bottle thing, of course. For example, when I used to reuse the Tropica Master Grow bottles (which is the same traditional two chamber dosing bottles as linked by Brilliant), I ripped the bottom off a ginormous cozy I got from Vegas and slipped it over the bottle. Tape works. If someone who loves you knows how to knit, those kinds of little cozys can be cute.

DTPA and EDTA Fe exposed to light/allowed to go to Fe +3 will fall out as a brown precipitate. However, if using CSM+B I would first try making a mix using DI or RO water. There is always some stuff in CSM+B that doesn't fully dissolve, and for this reason its better to use it in the type of bottle you bought (or the traditional two chamber setups) than, say, the stuff fishyface and I are interested in. Right now I squirt out of a colored ketchup thingy like you find at a fast food joint. Lots of other trace mixes go close to full solubility after good shakes though (ex: Miller Microplex).

(Though I should state I have never used regular CSM or made it CSM+B. I have only tried the "CSM+B+Extra Fe" mix Greg Watson made a few years ago -- 2004? -- for about a year then it sat for a while and now I still use it sometimes.)

But lots of folks don't take these things that seriously. But anyone can see the Fe+3 percipitate thing with most any trace mix and a sealed container out in sunlight. Its just that many commercial bottles are opaque and say shake well first

If you're more interested in this, here's a good study Clemson did with easy to understand language that will get you started: http://www.clemson.edu/hort/sctop/bsec/bsec-04.php Note claims of 85% of chelated Fe becoming unusable Fe+3 after 10 days when exposed to radiation (light) but 0 loss when in darkness.

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Seattle_Aquarist

· #18 · Dec 28, 2008

I use a two teaspoon (10ml) dosing syringe like the one in this link. http://www.nutritionalsupplementproduct.com/product_info.php?products_id=2739
The syringe is marked in 0.2 ml increments so I can dose my tanks accurately. It comes with a stopper that fits various size openings of bottles. I use some old Flourish bottles that I had saved because I knew I would be going to dry chemicals.

matt1045

Discussion Starter · #19 · Dec 28, 2008

I like alot of the bottles you guys talked about. I will eventually get something better. As for now I just went to lowes and purchased plastic paint containers. They have them in different sizes and have markings in ml's on the side. I got the small one, which about half is 500ml. I mixed up my solution and I store it in the fridge. I also just have 3ml syringes from the hospital I work at. Total cost for me was about $3
I can't shake the solution really well as the containers leak but all the solids seem to be mixed and i just use a spoon to stir before i get my dose.
Thanks again all for the input

Commodore 64

· #20 · Dec 28, 2008

matt1045 said:
I mixed up my solution and I store it in the fridge. I also just have 3ml syringes from the hospital I work at. Total cost for me was about $3
I can't shake the solution really well as the containers leak but all the solids seem to be mixed and i just use a spoon to stir before i get my dose.
Thanks again all for the input

I don't know about anyone else, but this seems like an enormous pain in the ass to me.

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