Acid Dosing Pump Search

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Matchless1

Matchless1

0
Jul 10, 2014
298
Baton Rouge, LA
I'm hoping someone can help me find a pH/Acid dosing pump similar to this one, but in 120V:

REGULATION Ph POOL BASIC SEKO (you'll need to translate the page most likely)

All of the ones I can find are either no longer available or all euro-based power supplies (220V). I'm aware of other pH dosing pump setups out there (i.e. Pentair IntelliPH/ORP, CAT 1000, etc.), but these seem to be a little more than I need. I already have a 15 gallon plastic drum also.

This is the basic setup I would like to achieve (bottom left), which can be done with the Pool Evo, where the pump and pH analyzer is combined into one unit and there is a pH probe running from the analyzer to the piping:





I've Google searched "pH dosing pumps", "pool acid pumps", "Pool Evo", etc., but cannot seem to find something like this in 120V. Any leads would be appreciated!
 
pooldv said:
Most folks use a Stenner pump. Here are a couple of threads
Stenner Pump for acid
Stenner pumps and acid
Click to expand...

JamesW said:
Stenner is good. There also are many others, such as rolachem, bluewhite etc.

Hayward Pentair and Jandy all have pumps as well.

Google peristaltic pump for pool.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm quite familiar with the Stenner pumps. I use one now for liquid chlorine injection. I'm strongly considering an identical setup for acid, but would like to integrate a pH sensor and self-correcting pump if possible though. I like the Milwaukee probe/sensor setup that diverminh described in that first post, but I'm a little unsure how the probe would insert into the fitting and be secured (not shoot out when the pool pump kicks on). I'm also trying to understand how the sensor/pump knows not to add too much acid. What I mean by that is it seems like it would take 30 minutes (or more) of pool circulation before good mixing could be achieved and an accurate pH reading could be taken. So do these sensors know that or do they just keep adding acid until it's too late and the pH drops way too low?

BTW, this is my current setup with a Stenner 45MPHP10 for chlorine:

 
IntelliPH might be an option.

I looked into using sensors, but the measuring systems seems to be too unreliable ending in a system that ends up emptying your resevior completely into your pool.

My my IntelliPH has been running for about 2 weeks now and I have not touched it.

So while the automatic feedback control sounds nice (and I'm a control systems guy), you may decide it is unnecessary. After 3 weeks I'm getting close to the point where I will measure PH once per week, and then add 3-5% on the IPH, subtract, or let it ride. This week I'm letting it ride.

Since you you are adjusting FC addition anyway, you can adjust these 2 things vs 1. The intelliPH comes with a Steiner pump BTW if you get the current model, and plugs right into the easytouch. Installation was easy for me.
 
xyz said:
IntelliPH might be an option.

I looked into using sensors, but the measuring systems seems to be too unreliable ending in a system that ends up emptying your resevior completely into your pool.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I was afraid of.

xyz said:
My my IntelliPH has been running for about 2 weeks now and I have not touched it.

So while the automatic feedback control sounds nice (and I'm a control systems guy), you may decide it is unnecessary. After 3 weeks I'm getting close to the point where I will measure PH once per week, and then add 3-5% on the IPH, subtract, or let it ride. This week I'm letting it ride.

Since you are adjusting FC addition anyway, you can adjust these 2 things vs 1. The intelliPH comes with a Steiner pump BTW if you get the current model, and plugs right into the easytouch. Installation was easy for me.
Click to expand...

Since I already have a 15 gallon drum, and the IntelliPH is over $500, I would probably just create the exact same setup for acid as I already have for chlorine. I've also heard of people having problems with the IntelliPH because the pump is mounted directly over the tank. Maybe it's not an issue if you dilute the acid enough, but since I have a separate drum, I plan to place it off to the side away from the pump AND dilute the acid to minimize any chance of corrosion to external metal parts.

JamesW said:
I would skip the acid pump. If you balance correctly, your acid dosing should be close to zero.
Click to expand...

My pool is 4 months old so plaster is still demanding 13 oz of acid daily even with all other levels in range. My understanding from reading others' posts here and from friends who have had their pools for 5+ years is that the acid demand WILL drop over time, but will always be there. So, I figure if I can automate the process of acid addition and minimize my handling time not only will it save time, but most importantly it will be safer for the next 20+ years.
 
The Solaxx pHTek is another good alternative. It is available on Amazon for around $600. It takes about 30 minutes to setup and doesn't need any special automation to control it. It is a must have for SWG chlorine pools. It holds enough acid to last about 4 weeks (4 gallons diluted 50% with water)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I finally bit the bullet and went the route of the Stenner pump (with no pH sensor) today...basically just the same setup as I already had for chlorine, except I have a 15 gallon drum for the acid and a 5 gallon bucket for the chlorine. I installed everything today (will post pics tomorrow), but I'd like to get some feedback on my plan before I actually fill this thing up and put it in service. So, here's what I'm thinking:

I'll dilute the acid evenly with water (1 part acid, 1 part water). Add 6 gallons of water, then 6 gallons of acid, totaling 12 gallons, leaving 3 gallons of air space in the drum. With my current usage rate of about 13 oz of acid (26 oz of the acid/water mixture), the 12 gallons should last me about 2 months. As mentioned above, of course I'll be taking readings daily at first, but hopefully will be able to roll back to weekly once I get the timer dialed in just right.

Anyone see any issues with this plan? Any reason to dilute the acid even more?
 

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JamesW said:
What are your targets for pH and TA?
Click to expand...

pH range is 7.3 - 7.6; target = 7.5
TA range is 70 - 90; target = 80

Note, I check TA weekly and it consistently drops about 20 ppm after adding enough Baking Soda (~4 lb) to bring it up 20 ppm every week. I realize the acid is responsible for this, but it is what it is.

Here are some pics of the setup. Acid pump is on the left (fed from blue drum); chlorine pump is on the right (fed from black bucket).



 
JamesW said:
You will find that your acid dosing will fall to almost zero witha ph target of 7.8 and a TA taget of 60.
Click to expand...

The recommended levels on Pool School for my pool are as follows:

Plasterwith Bleach
FC 3-7 (See chart)
pH 7.2-7.8
TA 70-90+
CH 250-350
CYA 30-50

The pH of 7.8 is at the upper end and the TA of 60 is lower than the minimum of 70. Just not sure I want to run pH that close to the limit and TA outside of the limits.
 
+1 to James recommendation of TA at 60 and pH at 7.8. When pH gets to 8.0 then lower it to 7.6. TA is fine even down to 50 if it settles there. There is no downside to TA at 60 and pH at 7.8. Targeting lower ph, like 7.5, will constantly lower your TA and you'll need to use baking soda to raise it back to target. Which also isn't a problem except that you will use more acid which is more work and more money.
 
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