Gravity dripper (IV drip)

I decided to try the IV drip method for fertilizing my plant tank, after
reading about it here. So I headed off to my favourite junk (surplus) store
to see what they had in medical supplies. I found a FLU VEN 0160 for $2.95
CND, which is rated at 20 drops per ml. I was hoping for 60 drops per ml,
but considered myself lucky to find anything.

I'm having problems getting a consistent flow rate though. My test setup
will drip OK for a while, but when I check it later, it has either stopped
or slowed considerably. My goal is about two drops per minute, which would
give me about a quart per week. Can this be accomplished reliably, or should
I opt for a higher flow rate and more dilution of my PMDD? I'm also not sure
if I need a vent hole in my drip container, but I'm guessing 'YES', since my
test container is collapsing as the liquid drips out.

I tried something similar for an extended vacation once and eventually gave
up. I could never keep the drip rate consistant mostly due to build up of
"stuff" at the tube compression point (where the adjustment is made for the
drip rate). Also the wife wasn't too keen on having a container (bag)
hanging on the wall over the aquarium. Anyway, went to twice a week manual
fert feedings.

DJay


"Bill Stock" wrote in message
...
I decided to try the IV drip method for fertilizing my plant tank, after
reading about it here. So I headed off to my favourite junk (surplus) store
to see what they had in medical supplies. I found a FLU VEN 0160 for $2.95
CND, which is rated at 20 drops per ml. I was hoping for 60 drops per ml,
but considered myself lucky to find anything.

I'm having problems getting a consistent flow rate though. My test setup
will drip OK for a while, but when I check it later, it has either stopped
or slowed considerably. My goal is about two drops per minute, which would
give me about a quart per week. Can this be accomplished reliably, or
should I opt for a higher flow rate and more dilution of my PMDD? I'm also
not sure if I need a vent hole in my drip container, but I'm guessing
'YES', since my test container is collapsing as the liquid drips out.