Is anyone using a dosatron pump to adjust the pH of there local water supply. I’m thinking about doing something like this but would love to here opinions on the subject.
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I got a Newtry injector pump for Christmas which appears to be similar to, but less expensive than the Dositron. I will be setting it up in mid to late April once the likelihood of a hard freeze passes. This will be an upgrade from the Mazzei injector I have been using for several years. My preferred acid is phosphoric but I have also used acetic (vinegar).
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What does one cost I was looking at the dosatron but I don’t think I need all the extra pumps just one for acid to balance the water.
I found them listed on Amazon for $120 to $165 depending upon the model.
Yup I see them going to do a little research thanks for the tip
If you do not have one… pick up a mid range cost calibratable pH meter. If you can afford it get one that reads TDS (total disolved solids). Just like in a lab. Get the 3 pH calubration solutions (and buffer) too. If you get a good one (rather than a cheep pocket pen meter), it WILL last 20 years. Keep it clean with distilled waterwhile using, and ALWAYS store the probe end WET in buffer solution.
Also, pick up a set of cheap pH dip paper strips. Use them for a go / no go pH range daily test.
Bonsai On?
K
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Yes. I’m using a dosatron d25f. It’s worked well for 4 years or so. I have it draw from a 5 gallon bucket that I fill with water and a fertilizer. I’m currently using fish emulsion and humus, but have used a chemical fertilizer in the past as well. I don’t really need to correct pH, but just use it to supply dilute fertilizer when needed.
Here’s a photo. It’s not really that squished top to bottom but the photo somehow came out that way.
Ian
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I’m in the process is setting one up (Newtry) I’m going to set it to lower my tap pH from 9.8 ish down to the 6.5 range. Doing the math is what took me awhile. I’m going to have a 5 gal bucket of 1.3 pH and set the pump to 1%. This should get me to the range I want. I will have it hooked up to 2 drip irrigation line lines on timers. At the front I have a filter for chlorine/chloramine.
Once it’s all hooked up I’ll have to run some tests and see what the pH of the end product is from about a gallon or two of corrected water out of the sprinkler head.
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Keep us posted about the results
I started using a Dosatron pump last year to adjust the water pH. I originally bought a cheap one (not dosatron) but it only lasted for a few days while i was trialling it. I decided to go with the Dosatron , even though it was expensive. The main reason: messing up the pH can be devastating for the trees and it would be very costly to damage them than investing in qood equipment. My suggestion is to also invest in a good pH meter that will allow for precise readings. It takes many trials to get it right. I use Phosphoric acid to balance the pH.
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How did your trials go? What are the numbers you’re dealing with? Starting pH, adjusted pH and pH of your solution bucket? The dosage setting of your Dosatron?
I have a good digital pH meter and I’m also using phosphoric (pH Down)
My trials went very well. I managed to get water with pH 6.3-6.5. I had to do some calculations based on the Phosphoric acid’s strength and then decided what Dosatron model to buy. The best thing to do is to have a chat with a well informed Dosatron supplier who can advise you. You also need to figure out the water flow - your water supply tab- to get the right Dosatron model. I even had to dilute the phosphoric acid to get it right (ALWAYS ADD ACID TO THE WATER!!!). Once i got my phosphoric acid solution (acid+water) right, i started adjusting the amount that was added to my watering by the Dosatron by checking the pH.
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I had a conversation with a Dosatron rep who wrote an article for their website on the usage of their product for pH lowering. He helped me understand pre-dilution and how to do the math.
The big question is, how long have you used pH adjusted water on your trees and did you notice any difference in growth/health?
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that’s a very good point lol hopefully the answer is a long time and yes .
@Tiibee - Would you mind posting the link for the pH article? I went to the website and could not find that among their calculators and technical documents. Perhaps I just missed it.
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Thanks for posting this. Very straight forward.
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The trees seem to grow well, without any adverse effects. I have been using it since March 2024. But the length of time I am applying it does not really matter: in terms of horticulture, the ideal water pH has to be in the range of about 6.0- 7.0 (depending on the plant). We also have to take into account other factors that can contribute to how trees are doing like fertilisation, balance of water:oxygen, etc etc.
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Well that’s handy information to have .thanks for the tip
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