Fluidmaster Flush 'n sparkle improved

The Fluidmaster Flush 'n sparkle fits in the toilet tank. It dispense cleaning chemicals whenever it flushes. You can keep the whole toilet bowl clean without brushing.

It's an improvement over those drop-in-the-tank solid blocks. A typical one is by Clorox, a 3 inch diameter block, which dissolves slowly in the tank, and is suppose to last for a couple of months. If you are single, or a working couple leading an active lifestyle, it would probably last that long.

The only chemical you want is chlorine bleach. The acidity neutralizes the calcium deposits in water that form water stains. The problem is that for the first flush in the morning, you will be overwhelmed with chlorine, like swimming in the pool just after chlorination, and much worse.

More importantly, chlorine attacks soft plastic used for flapper parts. You need to get chemical resistance flappers, now commonly sold.

The flush 'n sparkle is an improvement. The refill block is smaller, designed to last as long as those Clorox blocks, which isn't that long. You still smell chlorine especially in the morning. By dispensing straight into the bowl, chemical attacks are eliminated.

But still the FNS dispenses too much bleach, needs refill too fast and too expensive. Here is the improvement.

The white tubes and parts are the original FNS, going from the valve and into the overflow tube. The parts added are the splitting T, and a 1 GPH dripper. To join the parts, I use standard 1/4 inch (OD) tubes, which are used for the fridge, and drip irrigation.

The tubes used in toilet tanks are 1/4 ID (internal diameter) tubes. I can't find parts for it, but standard 1/4 OD tubes fits inside it nicely, as in the picture.

The splitter ensures that there are enough water going into the toilet bowl, independent on how much water coming out from the dripper. Here I use quick connect, or John Guest, which is under $3. The alternative is to use much cheaper T's used in drip irrigation. But those T's restricts the flow somewhat, reducing the level of water in the toilet.

The dripper ensures that bleach is dispensed in drops. Don't use those flag drippers that can be opened and cleaned. They may leak.

Using rubber bands, I tied the tube from the dripper to the original clip of the FNS. In theory, both refill tubes should be above the overflow tube, so water from the tank is impossible to contaminate via the inlet valve.

Drinking tubes for the fridge would probably work but you really need is a tough 1/4 OD tube to insert into the white tubes with 1/4 ID, and into the splitter. It also need to be elastic enough to hold the dripper well. The quality of drip irrigation tupes vary so you need to pick a good one.

The whole thing can be installed in a minute.

Also, the setup was designed to use much cheaper 1 inch diameter chlorine blocks for swimming pools. I will be saving money if each small block last for a few days. And I would like to add blocks say every week or longer.

Here is the improved Flush drip 'n sparkle in action: