Chihiros Dosing Pump Troubleshooting

[Capraquaria]

Growth keeps stalling in my 150, with intermittent algae issues, and the dosing pumps appear to be a large part of the problem. I have a 4-head Chihiros dosing pump on this tank. All four channels are currently set to dose daily. I have repeatedly re-calibrated all four channels, and the calibration runs fine. When I recalibrated the APT 3 pump on Saturday it was clogged, but the level was also low in the bottle. I cleared the clog, refilled all four dosing bottles to their 450 ml marks, and updated those volumes in the app. I recalibrated all four channels as I am leaving town next weekend. Manual dosing via the app, for each channel, works. The volume is dispensed, and the level in the dosing bottle decreases accordingly. However, pumps 1 and 2 (APT1 and APT3 respectively, as I am transitioning...or trying to...from 1 to 3 in this tank now it is mature enough), are repeatedly failing to daily dose via the app with the set programmed schedule. I am at the point of just binning these pumps, and maybe trying the Aqua Vitro Sentia pumps. Has anyone had issues with the Chihiros dosing pump scheduling, and resolved it? I can't tell if this is an app issue, or a pump head problem. Channels 3 and 4 are running fine, but 1 and 2 are failing to dose at all unless I dose manually (both still have 450 ml in the bottle, the app says the volume was dosed, but volume hasn't changed all week in the bottle, and it's Thursday...so no ferts in the tank all week AGAIN!). I cleaned the inflow hose, and dosing pump adapter this weekend during a tank deep clean. Is this a pump head failure to recognize the scheduled app command? Not really sure how to trouble-shoot this further.

 

[Mr. Silly Goose]

I don't have any input other than sharing that I too relied on the Chihios 4 head doser and realized way too late it wasn't dosing properly. Reset the tank and dosers, and checked (not often enough) and found they still weren't dosing properly. I've now been manually dosing for over a month. I documented it a little bit in my journal.

I was only using 2 of the 4 heads to dose Burrs Micros and Macros along with the magnetic stirrir.

 

[Capraquaria]

I don't have any input other than sharing that I too relied on the Chihios 4 head doser and realized way too late it wasn't dosing properly. Reset the tank and dosers, and checked (not often enough) and found they still weren't dosing properly. I've now been manually dosing for over a month. I documented it a little bit in my journal.

I was only using 2 of the 4 heads to dose Burrs Micros and Macros along with the magnetic stirrir.

Well, I am glad it's not just me. The tank would certainly be better off if I went to manual dosing at this point. I will check out your journal, thanks!

 

[JayP]

I've experienced some issues with the doser having to be reset after power glitches and the switch to-and-from daylight savings time. I've had several issues that were due to my own screw-ups, like forgetting to set a dosing time after setting the schedule . If you're using the stock tubing holder that mounts to the tank, some have had issues with that clogging. There's some better 3D printed options for that tubing holder that one of us can provide you, we just need to know your tank glass thickness.

And then, there's the issue of dosing accuracy. From my limited research, many of these aquarium dosers have an issue with consistent accuracy. It is at least nice that the app keeps track of the number you enter and what it doses so you can compare over time. The first pump I used was showing me differences of up to 30-40ml over the period of going through the 450ml bottle. I don't know how significant that is, but it does show that it's good to keep an eye on it regularly.

 

[Dennis Wong]

Their dosing pump is terrible. TBH I don't think anyone should be using stuff from Chihiros except their lights, its all 3rd party manufactured crap, which is easy to do in China. Basically they expanded their product range tremendously based on the success of their lights, but they actually have very little expertise in anything else.

 

[Capraquaria]

I've experienced some issues with the doser having to be reset after power glitches and the switch to-and-from daylight savings time. I've had several issues that were due to my own screw-ups, like forgetting to set a dosing time after setting the schedule . If you're using the stock tubing holder that mounts to the tank, some have had issues with that clogging. There's some better 3D printed options for that tubing holder that one of us can provide you, we just need to know your tank glass thickness.

And then, there's the issue of dosing accuracy. From my limited research, many of these aquarium dosers have an issue with consistent accuracy. It is at least nice that the app keeps track of the number you enter and what it doses so you can compare over time. The first pump I used was showing me differences of up to 30-40ml over the period of going through the 450ml bottle. I don't know how significant that is, but it does show that it's good to keep an eye on it regularly.

I have been recalibrating regularly as I noted on pump 4 it seemed to be overdosing (Seachem Pristine). At least recalibration is easy enough, but It's just not trustworthy. I'm not using the stock tubing holder, but did mount the inline dosing flow adapter. I expected that to be the source problem, but so far the adapter hasn't clogged. the tubes in the pump head have, though. This is all going to push me harder to the GHL Profilux. It would be more efficient in the long run.

 

[Capraquaria]

Their dosing pump is terrible. TBH I don't think anyone should be using stuff from Chihiros except their lights, its all 3rd party manufactured crap, which is easy to do in China. Basically they expanded their product range tremendously based on the success of their lights, but they actually have very little expertise in anything else.

So far, the WRGB II lights I have from them have been fine. One of my Vivid 3's sucks. I learned right away when I re-entered the hobby that their CO2 regulators are not good. GLA all the way for me now. The dosing pump truly sucks, and I hate being a slave to Bluetooth. The Chihiros Wifi controller was incredibly short-lived, so I dodged that bullet, although I did consider it briefly. I think it's time for a rethink, and pushing toward all things Wifi controllable. In the meantime, I will just spend a few extra minutes a day, and dose my tanks manually, the plants will thank me for it.

 

[JayP]

Their dosing pump is terrible. TBH I don't think anyone should be using stuff from Chihiros except their lights, its all 3rd party manufactured crap, which is easy to do in China. Basically they expanded their product range tremendously based on the success of their lights, but they actually have very little expertise in anything else.

To be fair, if you spend anytime scrolling through products on Aliexpress and Alibaba, you come to the conclusion that many of these brands are all just rebadging stuff off the same assembly lines. CO2 regulators, Stainless Steel canister filters, and lily pipes all come to mind. I can tell you I'm definitley not impressed with the Week Aqua canister filter. Perhaps they should stick to lights as well.

As for the dosing pump, do you have experience with a brand that is better and more reliable, you can share? I've looked at others, but between price and questionable reviews, I've chosen to stick with Chihiros for now. I'm open to change though. If I went to manual dosing, my tanks would likely suffer from my own inconsistency.

 

[JayP]

I learned right away when I re-entered the hobby that their CO2 regulators are not good. GLA all the way for me now

With all the other high-end gear you have, you might consider reaching out to @Bettatail about a custom DIY regulator for your 150. They're far better than even the GLA regulators.

 

[Koan]

spend a few extra minutes a day, and dose my tanks manually

Right?



I use this to keep track of who got what when

Aquarium Log - Tank management - Apps on Google Play

Simplify aquarium care and elevate your hobby.

play.google.com

 

[renesis]

Any dosing pump that uses dc motors on a timer will suffer inconsistency eventually. Only pumps that use stepper motors can hold their consistency for longer periods of time.

I don't know what's out there so can't reccomend any specific brands, but I would start by looking for stepper driven. If you are open to diy, I have extra stepper driver boards from my build.

 

[Aquajack]

Any dosing pump that uses dc motors on a timer will suffer inconsistency eventually. Only pumps that use stepper motors can hold their consistency for longer periods of time.

I don't know what's out there so can't reccomend any specific brands, but I would start by looking for stepper driven. If you are open to diy, I have extra stepper driver boards from my build.

Exactly why i will add/build my own rather than a commercial one.
On my list, problem is this hobby always has too many items on that list lol

 

[JayP]

On my list, problem is this hobby always has too many items on that list lol

Exactly this! I would love to devote some time to working on all these cool electronic projects you all are working on, but my list is already too big. Not to worry, retirement is getting closer and closer.

 

[Capraquaria]

Any dosing pump that uses dc motors on a timer will suffer inconsistency eventually. Only pumps that use stepper motors can hold their consistency for longer periods of time.

I don't know what's out there so can't reccomend any specific brands, but I would start by looking for stepper driven. If you are open to diy, I have extra stepper driver boards from my build.

Actually, Chihiros does use stepper motors. Not saying they are good, though. They are obviously not. Just got through reading about several known issues with these pumps, including firmware problems. I doubt I would have this level of trouble from GHL. I DIY a lot of things, not aquarium things, at least not yet, but off the shelf experiences like this certainly make DIY seem like a more sensible option. I just need another 12 hours in a day

 

[Dennis Wong]

To be fair, if you spend anytime scrolling through products on Aliexpress and Alibaba, you come to the conclusion that many of these brands are all just rebadging stuff off the same assembly lines. CO2 regulators, Stainless Steel canister filters, and lily pipes all come to mind. I can tell you I'm definitley not impressed with the Week Aqua canister filter. Perhaps they should stick to lights as well.

As for the dosing pump, do you have experience with a brand that is better and more reliable, you can share? I've looked at others, but between price and questionable reviews, I've chosen to stick with Chihiros for now. I'm open to change though. If I went to manual dosing, my tanks would likely suffer from my own inconsistency.

I've had good results with the Kaomer ones. They are pump specialists and also produce pumps for industrial and lab usage