Dosing Pump Choices

[Reefheart]

Just want to get some advice on dosing pumps. I've been manually dosing Alk & Cal into my Reefer 170 tank (2 clams, 1 Green Stag, 1 Pinknest, a couple of small SPS frags). The consumption right now is just a few mls a day but still abit bothersome to have to do it daily.

The main choices right now:
1. Apex DOS - very pricey, especially I have to get the Controller as well. Also, the Trident coming out soon (this is game changing, especially if the price is right).

2. GHL - Good reviews but complaints about being hard to set up. Also pricey.

3. Pacsun Kore 5th - Overall good reviews. 5 heads. Slightly cheaper than GHL?

4. Kamoer - Not sure..almost same price point as Kore 5th

5. Jebao/Coral Box Dosers - Decent reviews on Jebao but not much reviews on Coral Box.. But good price points .

Aside from the obvious accuracy/reliability, I want ease of setup and control (Wifi preferably). No need for fancy scheduling/aesthetics. Hope this is not just a case of the more expensive the better.

[HBtank]

I just went for the Coralbox package from Reefbreeders, great deal IMO and I am comfortable buying from them. Basically costs just as much for 2 basic dosers from BRS with no integrated controller, which was my previous budget solution; considered the Jeboa but RB does not sell them and a phone app is soooo appealing.

The price tags, versus reviews, on some high end units are... disappointing. This is not complicated equipment. And I don't plan on beta testing any of the new testing controllers, I will wait a few years for the real release

[ca1ore]

I think reliability is critical in a doser. Among top 3 reasons for tank crashes. Trouble is there's no data other than anecdotes to gauge reliability. I ended up getting the GHL myself. Not all that expensive if you need four heads, and can find a deal. I eliminated the DoS, would have needed two. I never really considered the Jebao, and coral box wasn't a thing when I got mine. Just don't trust the knock off stuff.

[ReefRockerLive]

I second Ca1ore's statement about reliability.

If something does go wrong with a knockoff doser, it'll cost you more in coral loss than if you invested in a quality unit from the start. I have yet to understand how some reefers want the best for their corals and want them to look their best, yet skimp on a critical component which can make or break the tank, all to just save a few dollars. It's just not worth the risk in my opinion.

I've been using GHL dosers for over 10 years and not once has it ever failed me. I owned the Gen 1 doser and now own the Doser 2.0. From a cost standpoint, the GHL Doser provides an excellent value for what you get. The standalone doser has additional ports for connecting sensors, magnetic stirrers, and a temperature probe. Support is good too.

When shopping for dosers in general, consider what exactly you're getting for that price. You're not just paying for the product itself, but also for the service, warranty and support. Compare what you're getting in those areas as well and that'll help you make a more informed decision.

Personally, I didn't have a hard time understanding the setup process. They have videos on YouTube which helps a lot. I think if you go in blind and don't use the resources available to you, setup will be difficult.

[RobZilla04]

Snagged a GHL on the used section right here in RC. I really like the WiFi compatibility as it makes adjustments simple on their app.

My suggestion is to go for quality with this piece of equipment.

[HBtank]

Originally Posted by ReefRockerLive

I second Ca1ore's statement about reliability.

If something does go wrong with a knockoff doser, it'll cost you more in coral loss than if you invested in a quality unit from the start. I have yet to understand how some reefers want the best for their corals and want them to look their best, yet skimp on a critical component which can make or break the tank, all to just save a few dollars. It's just not worth the risk in my opinion.

I've been using GHL dosers for over 10 years and not once has it ever failed me. I owned the Gen 1 doser and now own the Doser 2.0. From a cost standpoint, the GHL Doser provides an excellent value for what you get. The standalone doser has additional ports for connecting sensors, magnetic stirrers, and a temperature probe. Support is good too.

When shopping for dosers in general, consider what exactly you're getting for that price. You're not just paying for the product itself, but also for the service, warranty and support. Compare what you're getting in those areas as well and that'll help you make a more informed decision.

Personally, I didn't have a hard time understanding the setup process. They have videos on YouTube which helps a lot. I think if you go in blind and don't use the resources available to you, setup will be difficult.

Can you or Ca1ore explain/link how these crash failures occurred, and what dosers? Genuinely interested, a pump not working (or losing prime) and failing to notice I see reported (and associated drops) across many dosers. But I have not really seen much of else with dosers (i.e. a pump dumping a whole container into a tank etc..).

As someone who used basic dosers for 10 years, which I timed myself and programmed into my Apex on rudimentary second intervals per hour... all these dosers are a huge upgrade, tbh.

What exactly is that $500 doser doing better? Especially when the reviews I see appear to have all the same general complaints, and the only thing I have seen hard evidence of being better is tolerances on dosing rates (I can live with +/- a few % ml/min).

[Chicagoreef2016]

I have had the GHL 2.1 for over a year, and it runs like a top. Once you get it set up you can use their online portal for everything, which is very easy to do. I did have to hardwire it as it kept dropping off my wifi network for some reason.

[mitch91175]

Vertex also have a great doser with 3 pumps. The big question is what all do you feel you will dose in the future? That will help you decide on which you get. I would say definitely get one with more than 2 pumps.

[Reefheart]

HBTank raised a good point about being beta testing the Apex Trident lol, I was abit naive to think they will be good to go right out the gate without any issues.

I've narrowed down my choices to GHL (reliability), Kore5th (5 heads) and CoralBox (good package deal). Definitely want at least 3 pumps and phoneapp control.

[mitch91175]

Originally Posted by Reefheart

HBTank raised a good point about being beta testing the Apex Trident lol, I was abit naive to think they will be good to go right out the gate without any issues.

I've narrowed down my choices to GHL (reliability), Kore5th (5 heads) and CoralBox (good package deal). Definitely want at least 3 pumps and phoneapp control.

If you considered the Trident, then I would say go with the GHL. They also have something similar to the Trident, but I think with their solution it will work in conjunction with the doser.

[Bent]

I’ve been running one of those Ice cap dosers for years dosing every hour.

[RCS82]

This is one piece of equipment I wouldn't personally go cheap on. I've been running the 4 head ghl doser 2.1 for over a year now and it has performed perfect. You can also run level sensors for an ATO as well as a temp sensor right from the doser. Not being a computer junkie i found it not difficult to set up and there is an amazing amount of resources online for help and tips.
Plus they make an extremely sexy profilux 4 controller, a kh director plus a larger sized maxi doser, and more if you feel like indulging.