dosing pumps

tdtreefer · 06/25/2015, 03:16 AM

i want to buy a dosing pump, if im going to get one i know i want to get the 4 pump because ill eventually upgrade to it if i buy a two pump. so i see the jebao DP4, for a good price. i have never owned one and never even looked at how to set one up. is there an easy way to do this? i should also add i eventually will purchase an apex. so i want one that can link, if you have any suggestions im open to ideas. thank you

xdestry · 06/25/2015, 03:34 AM

You really only need 2, one for alk and one for calcium. magnesium doesn't really ever go down fast enough that you can't keep up with regular water changes. If you want to also use it to dose stuff like trace elements/zeovit though you might need more.

that being said I wouldn't trust a brand like jebao for something as important as dosing. I have no experience with their dosing pumps but my return pump from them failed within 2 months.

the BRS dosing pumps are reliable, either the normal brs one or the drew's doser which has 1.6 ml/sec as opposed to 1.1. you need an apex though for those or some other programmable timer. if you have the money the neptune dos can provide much accurate dosing and can also be used to change water.

keep in mind if you are getting a multi head dosing pump most of those will be programmed through the unit itself giving you no way to program it if you are away through apex, and no way to shut off just dosing one element without turning off the entire unit. with single dosers like the brs/drews you can program from anywhere through apex and set shut off safetys for each one.

RA · 06/25/2015, 05:20 AM

What size tank do you have and do you have an ATO? If you do you could try just adding kalk to your top off water.

RingingEars · 06/25/2015, 08:34 AM

I was going to buy the Jebao last week, but there seemed to be as many bad reviews as there was good so I just didn't want to roll the dice. I ended up getting the BRS dosing kit. It came in yesterday and I can tell you that the pumps are top quality. They are quite a bit bigger that I was picturing. They seem like really heavy duty pumps.

tdtreefer · 06/25/2015, 12:35 PM

i have a 65g tank with 20g sump.. so total water volume of about 75g. sump isnt full. no i do not have an ato, i plan on purchasing an apex at one point so i will then use that for ato, but i cant spend the 175 on a nice tunze osmolater. so im waiting... if the brs pumps are what you guys are saying i might look into going that direction. anyone know of a good thread on here about dosing ect that would give me some direction, as i am totaly blind in this area.

RingingEars · 06/25/2015, 02:28 PM

If you're going to go Apex then get the BRS dosers. You can use timers for them now if need be. the Apex isn't a must, but it is nice to have the control.
The tunze is a nice ATO but again, if you're going with the Apex just get a dual ATO from autotopoff.com and a TOM aqualifter.

andrek787 · 06/25/2015, 04:36 PM

If you need a dosing pump and ATO device, look at the 5 channel PacificSun Kore 5th, it does both and more. They recently dropped in price to $350 and there are lots of accessories available and more on the way.

tdtreefer · 06/25/2015, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrek787

If you need a dosing pump and ATO device, look at the 5 channel PacificSun Kore 5th, it does both and more. They recently dropped in price to $350 and there are lots of accessories available and more on the way.

compatable with apex?

tdtreefer · 06/25/2015, 10:13 PM

i ordered 2 brs dosers. and some multi set timers off ebay for a good price. wish i could make a timed 6 way, but then i would just own an apex

RingingEars · 06/26/2015, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdtreefer

i ordered 2 brs dosers. and some multi set timers off ebay for a good price. wish i could make a timed 6 way, but then i would just own an apex

Good choice. You'll like the dosers. They're pretty beefy.

ryeguyy84 · 06/26/2015, 03:03 PM

I've had my brs pumps for maybe 3 years and they still work like the day I bought them. Only replaced the tubing once after 2 years but it turned out I didn't even need to I just had a lose connection haha

tdtreefer · 06/26/2015, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeguyy84

I've had my brs pumps for maybe 3 years and they still work like the day I bought them. Only replaced the tubing once after 2 years but it turned out I didn't even need to I just had a lose connection haha

how are you running yours? apex timers? any advice to getting them dialed in? dont want to nuke my tank with alk or anything like that. i plan on using a two part, im thinking b-ionic.

andrek787 · 06/26/2015, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdtreefer

compatable with apex?

Kore 5th is not compatible with apex, its meant to be an alternative for APEX. Their next accessory are power strips that are controlled by the Kore 5th. PacSun's main business is high-end reef lightning (more expensive that even AI)

ryeguyy84 · 06/26/2015, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdtreefer

how are you running yours? apex timers? any advice to getting them dialed in? dont want to nuke my tank with alk or anything like that. i plan on using a two part, im thinking b-ionic.

I run them on my apex. When you get them run liquid through it for 10 minutes to see if you get 11ml of liquid. This makes sure it's calibrated.

Then test daily to find your dosage. You test on say Monday and adjust to the level you want to keep your tank at. Then test the next day and the difference will be your daily dose. Check it often until you get it dialed in.

I use DIY 2 part so I can't comment on b. Ionic.

tdtreefer · 06/26/2015, 07:01 PM

Thank you, I've seen the diy 2 parts but I want to keep it simple for now. I may do that once I get it dialed in.

ryeguyy84 · 06/26/2015, 07:22 PM

I think the b ionic is stronger than the brs version which is the same as the DIY

kmbyrnes · 06/27/2015, 07:23 AM

I run my BRS dosers on 2 timers I got from Lowe's for about $12 each. They have 16 programmable start/stops. Over the course of 3 weeks I tested my CA and ALK usage and divided that into hourly doses so the levels stay as consistent as possible.

tdtreefer · 06/27/2015, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmbyrnes

I run my BRS dosers on 2 timers I got from Lowe's for about $12 each. They have 16 programmable start/stops. Over the course of 3 weeks I tested my CA and ALK usage and divided that into hourly doses so the levels stay as consistent as possible.

So will I be dosing anything while I'm trying to figure out my usage? I don't want a big drop then suddenly bring it back up while I'm dosing. I'm going to a frag swap today here in Omaha. So I'll be picking up a bunch of new frags. I'll also pick up some kalk today and build a dripping system for temporary stability until I get my dosers and get that all figured out.

ryeguyy84 · 06/27/2015, 01:22 PM

What are you dosing now? Are you sure you need to dose? If you only have a few coral you can get by with water changes or if you need a little more then you can use kalk

wcharon · 06/27/2015, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrek787

Kore 5th is not compatible with apex, its meant to be an alternative for APEX. Their next accessory are power strips that are controlled by the Kore 5th. PacSun's main business is high-end reef lightning (more expensive that even AI)

Cannyou share where did you get that information regarding the power strips?

Thanks in advance..

andrek787 · 06/27/2015, 09:16 PM

They won't openly discuss the power hub until they officially announce it, but if you look through the Pacific Sun sponsor forum they drop hints that they are working on it.

It may not be a replacement for APEX yet, but considering that right now for 350 bucks, you get 5 channel Dosing pump that is wireless programmable with software, ATO functionality that rivals Tunze and temperature monitoring and alarm. As far as I know, it is the ONLY dosing pump that offers a magnetic bottle stirrer.

tdtreefer · 06/27/2015, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeguyy84

What are you dosing now? Are you sure you need to dose? If you only have a few coral you can get by with water changes or if you need a little more then you can use kalk

dosing f&s A and B, the reason i want to dose is for stability, i have 10sps frags some zoas and 5 lps, with the foster and smith i took the weekly dosag and divided it by 7, for each day, adding each 12 hours appart. when dosing say 3ml every dayat noon i have a spike everyday at noon, this is what i want to avoid. i akways hear stability is the name of the game. im still adding frags. 2 every week. so my usage is going to increase often

thegrun · 06/28/2015, 08:18 AM

I dose hourly with alkalinity on the hour and calcium on the half hour. As the demand increases in your tank, dosing more frequently will add to the stability.

06/25/2015, 03:16 AM	#1
tdtreefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 98	dosing pumps i want to buy a dosing pump, if im going to get one i know i want to get the 4 pump because ill eventually upgrade to it if i buy a two pump. so i see the jebao DP4, for a good price. i have never owned one and never even looked at how to set one up. is there an easy way to do this? i should also add i eventually will purchase an apex. so i want one that can link, if you have any suggestions im open to ideas. thank you

06/25/2015, 03:34 AM	#2
xdestry SPS Addict Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 662	You really only need 2, one for alk and one for calcium. magnesium doesn't really ever go down fast enough that you can't keep up with regular water changes. If you want to also use it to dose stuff like trace elements/zeovit though you might need more. that being said I wouldn't trust a brand like jebao for something as important as dosing. I have no experience with their dosing pumps but my return pump from them failed within 2 months. the BRS dosing pumps are reliable, either the normal brs one or the drew's doser which has 1.6 ml/sec as opposed to 1.1. you need an apex though for those or some other programmable timer. if you have the money the neptune dos can provide much accurate dosing and can also be used to change water. keep in mind if you are getting a multi head dosing pump most of those will be programmed through the unit itself giving you no way to program it if you are away through apex, and no way to shut off just dosing one element without turning off the entire unit. with single dosers like the brs/drews you can program from anywhere through apex and set shut off safetys for each one. __________________ 100 gallon MIXED / SPS frag dominant Current Tank Info: 100 Gallon + 40G Sump, ATI Sunpower Dimmable 8x39 (B+,C+,B+.Act.B+.P+.Gieseman Super Act, B+), 2x MP40QD, Aquamaxx Q2 + ConeS CO1 Skimmers

06/25/2015, 04:36 PM	#7
andrek787 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 378	If you need a dosing pump and ATO device, look at the 5 channel PacificSun Kore 5th, it does both and more. They recently dropped in price to $350 and there are lots of accessories available and more on the way. __________________ SCA starphire 150 gallon, custom Advanced Acrylics 50g sump, 3 x Hydra52 Hybrids, 2 x Gyre xf-150, 2 x Kessil A150 6700k fuge lights, ATI 250is Skimmer, Skimz RR-153 bio-pellet, Kore 5th Doser

06/26/2015, 03:03 PM	#11
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	I've had my brs pumps for maybe 3 years and they still work like the day I bought them. Only replaced the tubing once after 2 years but it turned out I didn't even need to I just had a lose connection haha __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

06/26/2015, 07:22 PM	#16
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	I think the b ionic is stronger than the brs version which is the same as the DIY __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

06/25/2015, 05:20 AM	#3
RA Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: S. Jersey Posts: 976	What size tank do you have and do you have an ATO? If you do you could try just adding kalk to your top off water.

06/25/2015, 08:34 AM	#4
RingingEars Because they ring Join Date: May 2015 Location: Rathdrum ID Posts: 113	I was going to buy the Jebao last week, but there seemed to be as many bad reviews as there was good so I just didn't want to roll the dice. I ended up getting the BRS dosing kit. It came in yesterday and I can tell you that the pumps are top quality. They are quite a bit bigger that I was picturing. They seem like really heavy duty pumps.

06/25/2015, 12:35 PM	#5
tdtreefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 98	i have a 65g tank with 20g sump.. so total water volume of about 75g. sump isnt full. no i do not have an ato, i plan on purchasing an apex at one point so i will then use that for ato, but i cant spend the 175 on a nice tunze osmolater. so im waiting... if the brs pumps are what you guys are saying i might look into going that direction. anyone know of a good thread on here about dosing ect that would give me some direction, as i am totaly blind in this area.

06/25/2015, 02:28 PM	#6
RingingEars Because they ring Join Date: May 2015 Location: Rathdrum ID Posts: 113	If you're going to go Apex then get the BRS dosers. You can use timers for them now if need be. the Apex isn't a must, but it is nice to have the control. The tunze is a nice ATO but again, if you're going with the Apex just get a dual ATO from autotopoff.com and a TOM aqualifter.

06/25/2015, 10:13 PM	#9
tdtreefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 98	i ordered 2 brs dosers. and some multi set timers off ebay for a good price. wish i could make a timed 6 way, but then i would just own an apex

06/26/2015, 07:01 PM	#15
tdtreefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 98	Thank you, I've seen the diy 2 parts but I want to keep it simple for now. I may do that once I get it dialed in.

06/27/2015, 07:23 AM	#17
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	I run my BRS dosers on 2 timers I got from Lowe's for about $12 each. They have 16 programmable start/stops. Over the course of 3 weeks I tested my CA and ALK usage and divided that into hourly doses so the levels stay as consistent as possible. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

06/27/2015, 01:22 PM	#19
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	What are you dosing now? Are you sure you need to dose? If you only have a few coral you can get by with water changes or if you need a little more then you can use kalk __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

06/27/2015, 09:16 PM	#21
andrek787 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 378	They won't openly discuss the power hub until they officially announce it, but if you look through the Pacific Sun sponsor forum they drop hints that they are working on it. It may not be a replacement for APEX yet, but considering that right now for 350 bucks, you get 5 channel Dosing pump that is wireless programmable with software, ATO functionality that rivals Tunze and temperature monitoring and alarm. As far as I know, it is the ONLY dosing pump that offers a magnetic bottle stirrer. __________________ SCA starphire 150 gallon, custom Advanced Acrylics 50g sump, 3 x Hydra52 Hybrids, 2 x Gyre xf-150, 2 x Kessil A150 6700k fuge lights, ATI 250is Skimmer, Skimz RR-153 bio-pellet, Kore 5th Doser

06/28/2015, 08:18 AM	#23
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I dose hourly with alkalinity on the hour and calcium on the half hour. As the demand increases in your tank, dosing more frequently will add to the stability.