Dosing methods

JennyFlow · 11/27/2019, 06:57 PM

I see lots of people saying pumps like the neptune dos are best. Some guy at a lfs told me the litermeter was best.

Do any of you drip dose? Is that reliable? Is there some fancy lab crap I can buy to do this?

Are there any other dosing methods? I am looking at peristaltic pumps but am wondering what my other options are. This would be for two part or trace/mag.

nereefpat · 11/27/2019, 07:25 PM

I've made dripping work with kalkwasser, but it would be really difficult for 2/3 part.

Peristaltic pumps are what you want. Can't help you with brand.

mcgyvr · 11/27/2019, 07:41 PM

There are numerous dosing/peristaltic pump systems sold for this hobby. All work just fine for most...some just have fancier features like wifi,etc...
Anything from a jebao dp4/coral box units to higher end Neptune Dos, GHL,etc..units out there..All work just fine..."best" depends on your definition/needs/budget,etc..

billdogg · 11/28/2019, 07:06 AM

I use the BRS 1.1ml peristaltic pumps for my dosing needs. I have found them to be very easy to set up and use, extremely reliable, and reasonably priced. Pair them up with simple digital lamp timers from HD/Lowes and you are good to go.

Bpb · 11/28/2019, 07:48 AM

Agree. Peristaltic pumps are really the only way to do it unless you want to hand dose which would be annoying. Any of the commonly sold peristaltic pumps will perform roughly equal. And most all of them have a roller/motor replacement path for relatively cheap if something happens to die. Like someone else mentioned, the software is going to make the biggest difference in cost and reliability. I’d feel more comfortable with apex programming or ghl programming than I would a bubble magus or jebao unit. Motors will all function closely though

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Uncle99 · 11/28/2019, 09:12 AM

I use the Jebao DP-4, two years now, once calibrated, has been exceptional in its delivery of my ALK-CA-MG and my Carbon dosing.

Paid $106 on Amazon delivered. Came with everything except 1/4 tubing and a device to hold each tube out of the water.

Use 4 mason jars for holding.

hkgar · 12/01/2019, 09:51 AM

Just bear in mind that the LFS will always think the brands they carry are the best. If they have competing brands the one with the highest profit margin will be the best.

I stole the cynicism from Mgyvr.

Sk8r · 12/07/2019, 03:07 PM

If you're short of cash from setup, you can get by with hand-dosing until you can't, or until it's a chore. Then you can spring for the system.

11/27/2019, 06:57 PM	#1
JennyFlow Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 23	Dosing methods I see lots of people saying pumps like the neptune dos are best. Some guy at a lfs told me the litermeter was best. Do any of you drip dose? Is that reliable? Is there some fancy lab crap I can buy to do this? Are there any other dosing methods? I am looking at peristaltic pumps but am wondering what my other options are. This would be for two part or trace/mag.

11/27/2019, 07:25 PM	#2
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	I've made dripping work with kalkwasser, but it would be really difficult for 2/3 part. Peristaltic pumps are what you want. Can't help you with brand. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

11/27/2019, 07:41 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	There are numerous dosing/peristaltic pump systems sold for this hobby. All work just fine for most...some just have fancier features like wifi,etc... Anything from a jebao dp4/coral box units to higher end Neptune Dos, GHL,etc..units out there..All work just fine..."best" depends on your definition/needs/budget,etc.. __________________ Who me?

11/28/2019, 07:06 AM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I use the BRS 1.1ml peristaltic pumps for my dosing needs. I have found them to be very easy to set up and use, extremely reliable, and reasonably priced. Pair them up with simple digital lamp timers from HD/Lowes and you are good to go. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

12/01/2019, 09:51 AM	#7
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Just bear in mind that the LFS will always think the brands they carry are the best. If they have competing brands the one with the highest profit margin will be the best. I stole the cynicism from Mgyvr. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

11/28/2019, 07:48 AM	#5
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	Agree. Peristaltic pumps are really the only way to do it unless you want to hand dose which would be annoying. Any of the commonly sold peristaltic pumps will perform roughly equal. And most all of them have a roller/motor replacement path for relatively cheap if something happens to die. Like someone else mentioned, the software is going to make the biggest difference in cost and reliability. I’d feel more comfortable with apex programming or ghl programming than I would a bubble magus or jebao unit. Motors will all function closely though Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

11/28/2019, 09:12 AM	#6
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	I use the Jebao DP-4, two years now, once calibrated, has been exceptional in its delivery of my ALK-CA-MG and my Carbon dosing. Paid $106 on Amazon delivered. Came with everything except 1/4 tubing and a device to hold each tube out of the water. Use 4 mason jars for holding.

12/07/2019, 03:07 PM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If you're short of cash from setup, you can get by with hand-dosing until you can't, or until it's a chore. Then you can spring for the system. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.