Dosing... BM doser or apex/rkl

[Tron_954]

In may ill be leaving for 10 days and need to have my dosing Automated...

Undecided on the bubble magus doser
Or
A controller to do the basics...(ph, temp, not sure what else I would need it for) & finally will the apex or reef keeper lite control the dosers if I use brs pumps?

[cnguyenl]

I'm sure the Apex can control BRS pumps. Just plug them in the Apex outlets and program to turn them on at your desire date/time. I believe BRS pumps are 1.1ml per minute.

[Allmost]

yes to both, RKL and apex both can turn it on and off. none relay ports.

but you are much better of with a dedicated doser, it would cost less too.

[Allmost]

check th GHL dosers too, they are like 350 now. but I dont advice it that much, they make noise.

[Tron_954]

so other than being able to control timers on the pc4 module (which would be my dosers) the apex or rkl will just monitor the temp and ph and etc...?

seems like i may be best spending my money on an actual doser?

[Allmost]

controllers are just fancy and monitor things we dont need to be honest, but they are "cool"

RKL for 100 bucks is worth it, sure, but only the temp works, PH doesnt. on RKL, only 2 ports can be used for pumps. other 2 ports need high current.

apex is great, if you were to control your pumps, ATO, lights, dosing and everythning else,then sure, they are cool tools and the cost can be justified, but not NEEDED for sure.

[Tron_954]

see, a ph and temp monitor would be cool, but the rest of the controlling (other than dosing) would not be used... my radion is programmed, and my mp10 is also programmed via radion and whatnot.... and i run the tunze osmolator, so none of these needs controlling...

so really im just looking to automate my dosing, nothing else... so will the bubble magus be best for me? cost wise also...

[ddmiller38]

Controllers are a saftey net in a way if your doser stuck on and your PH was high or low it could be program to shut off the doser or etc. Shutting off heater or lights if your temp was to high

[Tron_954]

this is so difficult...

[Tron_954]

and both the apex jr and reefkeeper lite do the same things basically? or is one better than the other

[Allmost]

Originally Posted by ddmiller38

Controllers are a saftey net in a way if your doser stuck on and your PH was high or low it could be program to shut off the doser or etc. Shutting off heater or lights if your temp was to high

no, not really.

PH being too high or too low is mostly time for calibration.

[Allmost]

Originally Posted by Tron_954

and both the apex jr and reefkeeper lite do the same things basically? or is one better than the other

NOPE !

RKL sucks big time, and they know it too ! they droppe the RKL line and now making something else lol their engineers who I have spoken to on many occasions simply arent professionals, they are electrician, not electrical engineers lol only temp works, everything else has Issues.

Apex on the other hand, is actually a computer, it contains a 32 bit processor ! that's at least 150 bucks for the hardware ! apex is trully cool and kinda useful.

I advice you to get a doser for now, either BM or GHL. to do your dosing. then meanwhile look into controllers and if you see the use or you think the cool factor is worth the 500 bucks, then get an apex later on.

[kimle]

I have an apex, but a dedicated dosed is just easier to setup and cost about the same as using a controller. Keep in mind that using a controller will take up 3 of your outlets which might mean you'll need to buy another energybar.

3 BRS dosing pumps and an energybar might cost more than a Bubble Mag doser unit. And don't forget you'll need to spend time to program the controller.

[Tron_954]

here is the cost breakdown in my eyes.......


Bubble Magus Doser - $299
Tube Holder - $14.99
$313.99

Reefkeeper Lite - $199
BRS Dosing pump x 2 - $159.98
$456

Apex Jr. - $219
BRS Dosing pump x 2 - $159.98
$476

[cnguyenl]

Depending on what you're trying to achieve. If only for dosing purpose then Bubble Magus Doser, otherwise i would go for the Apex Jr. with their cool features

[kimle]

Your price breakdown is not apples to apples.

All setups will need tube holders.

You should compare to 3 BRS dosers instead of just 2.

When you use 3 dosers, that only leaves 1 extra outlet on the controller to do other cool stuff.

[mos90]

i have all, apex, bm doser and brs dosers. i found it much easier to adjust/program the bubble magus doser plugged into 1 apex outlet. then program the apex to shut off the bm if ph goes over 8.5.

also i would go with apex jr. apex lite would be the minimum for me(opinion).

[JonnyD91]

Originally Posted by Tron_954

here is the cost breakdown in my eyes.......


Bubble Magus Doser - $299
Tube Holder - $14.99
$313.99

Reefkeeper Lite - $199
BRS Dosing pump x 2 - $159.98
$456

Apex Jr. - $219
BRS Dosing pump x 2 - $159.98
$476

wrong price.

BRS pumps are 79.00 a piece.
219 + 79.99 + 79.99 = 378.98
+ PH probe 44.99 = 423.97

This is really a no brainer. a dedicated dosser is just a unitasker. Get the apex and the 2 pumps. A controller is not just cool. After having one you will ask yourself how you ever lived without it.

[mos90]

Originally Posted by JonnyD91

Get the apex and the 2 pumps. A controller is not just cool. After having one you will ask yourself how you ever lived without it.

cant argue with that...

[indyjaco]

I found a new SWC doser for $200 on a site. Looked like the BM version.

Contributing since I'm in the same dilemma with my RKL.

[Allmost]

lol so what do you guys do with ure controller that you cant do without ?

monitor PH ?

turn off lights from work ?

or just like a little cool display ?

[mos90]

i think its more for piece of mind for when your not home or if you have a problem when not at home it could possibly be corrected.

and i do like to turn the lights on from work sometimes...lol

[JonnyD91]

Originally Posted by Allmost

lol so what do you guys do with ure controller that you cant do without ?

monitor PH ?

turn off lights from work ?

or just like a little cool display ?

More like what don't i do with it

[Allmost]

I see nothing special there. sorry

so why dont you tell me ?

what do you do with the controller that you can not do without ?

PS. I own apex, and GHL controller. but they are for monitoring, they do absolutely nothing special or important I couldnt do without/
an RKL too, but thats not a controller lol

[JonnyD91]

Originally Posted by Allmost

I see nothing special there. sorry

so why dont you tell me ?

what do you do with the controller that you can not do without ?

PS. I own apex, and GHL controller. but they are for monitoring, they do absolutely nothing special or important I couldnt do without/
an RKL too, but thats not a controller lol

lighting
fans
ph
temp
vortech - reefcrest to pulse to lagoon to off (cant do this automated without a controller)
2 heaters
3 dosers
PH in QT
feed timer

in the future LED's

I could do "most" of that other ways but with way more cluttered timers and such.

I never use the display, i always use my phone and i use it every day.

To each their own. It is a way more efficient compact way to do it for me.