Chemical Dosing Pumps have many names. Whether they're called chlorinators, feeders, injectors or positive displacement pumps, all chemical solution dosing pumps need proper installation and maintenance. They come in a variety of physical capacities, sizes and electrical voltages.
The purpose of a Chemical Dosing pump is to inject a predetermined amount of chemical into the water stream to aid in creating a desired condition. One common condition requiring such treatment is fertilization of the aquarium water to aid plant growth.
Pump Location: When determining where to locate the electrical, gear motor-driven chemical dosing pump consider the following;
1) Provide proper Electrical Power.
2) Adequate Ventilation to exhaust chemical fumes and cool the motor.
3) A location free of abrasive dust and dirt, which may collect on the pump.
4) An area protected from sunlight and extreme temperatures.
5) Easy accessibility for refilling the chemical container and maintenance.
Installation: Always place the dosing pump in an upright position on a flat surface. Attach the foot valve strainer to the length of tubing provided (see Figure below). Using a minimum length tubing will facilitate priming and pumping. Run tubing from the foot valve strainer to the dosing pumps suction fitting. Cut the tubing at the length needed to hold the foot valve strainer about two inches above the bottom of the chemical tank.
Install the injection point Tee-fitting in the filter pumps return line. The Injection point Tee-fitting has tapered National Pipe Thread (NPT) threads, so use some of the supplied silicon pipe thread tape here so it will not leak. Run Tubing from the dosing pumps discharge fitting to the injection Tee-fitting.
Priming the Pump: Dilute the chemical as required and place the chemical storage tank below the dosing pumps head. Temporarily place the dosing pumps power cord into a wall outlet and turn the manual feeder adjust knob to maximum setting. Remove the foot strainer from the chemical storage tank and place it in a small container of water. Holding the container higher than the feeder head, turn the pump ON. Allow the dosing pump to run until a solid flow of water is discharged from the dosing pump head. ALL air bubbles must be removed from the suction line and from the pump head. Turn OFF the power switch and plug the Dosing pumps power cord into the supplied AC Power connector on the AAS 120VAC Interface Module. Replace the foot strainer into the chemical storage tank. The feed rate is adjustable and the pump is most efficient when at its highest setting. Turn the adjustment knob to the desired rate setting. Turn the power switch of the dosing pump back to ON. At your PC using the AMACS Software you will program in the frequency and duration times that the AAS 120VAC Interface Module will supply AC Power to the pump and thus the amount of periodic chemical dosing you desire.