Not sure how to auto dose 2 part

chrisk500 · 11/25/2008, 11:07 AM

I want to buy a doser to auto dose the 2 part to my tank. I have a couple of questions:

If I buy a doser do I need to worry about siphoning at all?

Can I just stick the gallon containers next to the tank and draw off them to dose to the tank? Do I need to worry about the sediment that acumulates at the bottom of the containers (especially the alkalinity mixture)?

When and how often should I dose 2 part? (continuously or only at night?)

Thanks!

jck9 · 11/25/2008, 11:58 AM

tagging on this one. i want to do the same thing.

mathias999us · 11/25/2008, 01:54 PM

A peristaltic pump (most dosing pumps) should not allow a siphon to flow. However, I've heard as the mechanism wears with time, they can experience very slight/slow siphons; time to replace the compression tubing. I personally wouldn't take the chance, but some people do (like people that use them for automated water changes). I'd keep the 2part jugs below the water level where they are being dosed to, and keep the tubes that are delivering the solutions above the water in the tank/sump so no siphon can form.

Sediment/precipitate through a dosing pump would be decidedly bad for the compression tubing over time. If you keep the end of the tube slightly above the bottom of the alk jug I think you'll be OK.

Dosing schedule mainly depends on whether your tank is high/low pH tendency, and whether you are using a high or low pH 2-part system. Most people have lower-pH tanks and use a high pH 2part (sodium carbonate for alk), so in this case the ideal time to dose would be starting partway through the night, and into the morning hours when the pH in your system is naturally at its lowest to offset this swing. If your pH doesn't rise too much, then dosing continuously is likely fine as well.

rezaktp · 11/25/2008, 08:49 PM

The Drews Doser from Bulk Reef Supply (BRS) will work fine get 2 one for cal and one for alk, you will also need 2 digital lamp timers that can be set in 1 minute increments (Loews has them by Intermatic).

As far as dosing goes do it daily based on the usage of the tank, all are different, look at the BRS 2 part directions as well as Randy's 2 part articles on the reef chemistry forum.

jck9 · 11/25/2008, 09:09 PM

if it doses for 1 minute how do you control how much of the two part gets dosed dutring that minute?

James77 · 11/25/2008, 09:32 PM

Theydose a set amount per minute- you measure it to get the exact amount. I had an older model, and it was 1.6 ml/min IIRC. If you need to dose 100 ml, dose for 63 minutes- or break it up over the day to avoid spiking pH.

BangkokMatt · 11/25/2008, 11:34 PM

It is a lot easier / more reliable if you get a dosing unit such as the Grotech Tec 3 or the Litermeter etc. You just programme them to deliver the amount you want to dose and at what intervals

Ralph ATL · 11/26/2008, 12:57 AM

I've been using an inexpensive aquamedic doing pump for years. I dose 4x times a day. I check it out to insure nothing is clogged and both a&b are pumping fine monthly. I test monthly. easy as can be. Oh yeah, I just have them dose in separate parts of the sump.

Bucket Boy · 11/26/2008, 09:33 AM

I dose Ca and Alk with a LM III. The unit is attached to the back of the stand and the jugs are behind the stand. Set and forget.

11/25/2008, 11:07 AM	#1
chrisk500 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Augusta, SC Posts: 76	Not sure how to auto dose 2 part I want to buy a doser to auto dose the 2 part to my tank. I have a couple of questions: If I buy a doser do I need to worry about siphoning at all? Can I just stick the gallon containers next to the tank and draw off them to dose to the tank? Do I need to worry about the sediment that acumulates at the bottom of the containers (especially the alkalinity mixture)? When and how often should I dose 2 part? (continuously or only at night?) Thanks!

11/25/2008, 01:54 PM	#3
mathias999us Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Forest Lake, MN Posts: 531	A peristaltic pump (most dosing pumps) should not allow a siphon to flow. However, I've heard as the mechanism wears with time, they can experience very slight/slow siphons; time to replace the compression tubing. I personally wouldn't take the chance, but some people do (like people that use them for automated water changes). I'd keep the 2part jugs below the water level where they are being dosed to, and keep the tubes that are delivering the solutions above the water in the tank/sump so no siphon can form. Sediment/precipitate through a dosing pump would be decidedly bad for the compression tubing over time. If you keep the end of the tube slightly above the bottom of the alk jug I think you'll be OK. Dosing schedule mainly depends on whether your tank is high/low pH tendency, and whether you are using a high or low pH 2-part system. Most people have lower-pH tanks and use a high pH 2part (sodium carbonate for alk), so in this case the ideal time to dose would be starting partway through the night, and into the morning hours when the pH in your system is naturally at its lowest to offset this swing. If your pH doesn't rise too much, then dosing continuously is likely fine as well. __________________ Mathias Current Tank Info: RSM250 + 28HQI plumbed to basement fish room with 2 100g stock tanks and 55g fuge

11/25/2008, 08:49 PM	#4
rezaktp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Gurnee, IL Posts: 1,407	The Drews Doser from Bulk Reef Supply (BRS) will work fine get 2 one for cal and one for alk, you will also need 2 digital lamp timers that can be set in 1 minute increments (Loews has them by Intermatic). As far as dosing goes do it daily based on the usage of the tank, all are different, look at the BRS 2 part directions as well as Randy's 2 part articles on the reef chemistry forum. __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: 180g. Reef w/8-80w t-5's, 70g. Rubbermaid basement sump w/10g. fuge, APEX, Reef Octopus SRO 2000 Skimmer, 1/3hp Aqualogic chiller, 57w Aqua Ultraviolet UV, BRS 2-part w/2-Drews Dosers, 4-MP40wES

11/25/2008, 09:32 PM	#6
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Theydose a set amount per minute- you measure it to get the exact amount. I had an older model, and it was 1.6 ml/min IIRC. If you need to dose 100 ml, dose for 63 minutes- or break it up over the day to avoid spiking pH. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

11/25/2008, 11:34 PM	#7
BangkokMatt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Krung Thep Posts: 3,100	It is a lot easier / more reliable if you get a dosing unit such as the Grotech Tec 3 or the Litermeter etc. You just programme them to deliver the amount you want to dose and at what intervals __________________ I've spent a lot of money on booze, women and fish. The rest I just squandered. Current Tank Info: 150g sps Reef (now FOWLR after a devastating crash due to chiller) , 2x400w MH (Icecap ballast, Lumenmax 2, Reeflux 12k SE), Deltec AP701, Grotech Tec III, Chiller, 2 x Tunze 6101, 1 x 6205 (+ m/c), bla bla

11/25/2008, 11:58 AM	#2
jck9 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: pataskala, oh Posts: 589	tagging on this one. i want to do the same thing.

11/25/2008, 09:09 PM	#5
jck9 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: pataskala, oh Posts: 589	if it doses for 1 minute how do you control how much of the two part gets dosed dutring that minute?

11/26/2008, 12:57 AM	#8
Ralph ATL Formerly mysterybox Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Flowery Branch, GA (North ATL) Posts: 1,842	I've been using an inexpensive aquamedic doing pump for years. I dose 4x times a day. I check it out to insure nothing is clogged and both a&b are pumping fine monthly. I test monthly. easy as can be. Oh yeah, I just have them dose in separate parts of the sump. __________________ Ralph Scheriff

11/26/2008, 09:33 AM	#9
Bucket Boy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 136	I dose Ca and Alk with a LM III. The unit is attached to the back of the stand and the jugs are behind the stand. Set and forget.