Dosing Pumps

[Ed Wiser]

Coming from the reef hobby dosing pumps are a necessary piece of equipment. Coral consume elements like calcium at a high rate if they are healthy and growing. You have to maintain a constant alk level of 8.3
To do this people used calcium reactors that by adding co2 dissolved calcium pellets. People that didn’t have the space started using dosers peristaltic pumps to use a calcium l liquid mixture to preform the same task.
We started with simple one head unit’s controlled by a timer. You have to measure the all level at the same time of day and then adjust the timer to deliver the amount needed to keep the level the same.
As time went on companies like GHL came out with dosers that had up to 4 heads with a built in timer controllers for each head.
GHL is now in their 4 generation of their dosers line.

GHL Doser - GHL (International)

www.aquariumcomputer.com

The Doser can be used by itself without a controller or with a controller.
You can dose as little as micro doses of 0.1 ml.
You can control the doser with a smart phone app.
While there are other bands of dosers today. GHL is the leader in the market.
You can get parts an support easily
Unlike cheaper versions. Where dosers are a side line product.
They also make a Maxi doser you don’t want to use this to dose fertilizer. As the amount of the dose is too high to control. It is more designed for auto top of large aquariums. Or for use as an auto water change system.
With both pumps you can use float or photo switched to control the operation of a head for auto top off use.
An other feature that is great for fertilizer use is that you can add a magnetic stirrer to mix the solution before it is dosed. So that the additive is in solution.
You can schedule the dose at any time if the day that you wish and you can dose manually.

 

[Art]

Thanks, Ed. I think GHL has a fantastic reputation and I hope it gets more popular in the US.

I use the Apex DOS.

This requires the Apex Controller system. While I've been overall pleased with the Apex and this DOS, its accuracy has been difficult to maintain mostly because the tubing that comes with it isn't great. I keep getting air in the tubes which throws off the precision of the doser.

Do you have any of those problems?

 

[Ed Wiser]

I talked to the sales crew when they brought that model out. It is not made to dose fert’s. You can not get an accurate dose with a 3/8 line the size of the drop is just too large for accurate dosing. I don’t have those issues because I use the smaller doser line size. The only use a 3/8 line doser can due is water changes or as an auto top off on a large aquarium. I tried using the 1/4 line model as an auto top off on my 120p but found it could not produce enough water to keep up with evap. Had to switch to a Neptune ATO pump.

 

[Art]

I've had to play with the solution in order to get it to dose what I need accurately.

 

[martino]

Hi Guys,

I'm using Jebao DP-4 dosing pump. It's doing good job for the last 2-3 years. The thing is you need to know how to properly calibrate it. Unfortunately it's different calibration for small and big amount of liquid. It took me some time to find the solution on the internet.
I can see that Ted is coming from the reef hooby, so I suspect he need more precise and accurate device
I was thinking to buy one of these guys coming from great Polish manufacturer called Reef Factory

see the manufacturer website: Reef Factory
and YT video:


You can choose between normal and pro version of dosing pumps with really high accuracy. There are also available in US. (see distibutors tab on the website). Hope you will find something interesting.

I've found also this buyers guide:




Cheers
Marcin

 

[Ed Wiser]

Green Aqua uses GHL.

 

[slickwillislim]

I recently setup the Chihiros dosing pump on my 120p. So far I'm a big fan. The app has been way better than I expected. It's not perfect, but for the price I think it's a great deal. I do GLA micros, GLA macros, flourish advance, flourish Excel. With a BRS 50ml/min top off pump.

When used as designed, it's works well. I originally had it installed it to dose inline, but the tubing I picked with 1/8"ID-1/4"OD, didn't fit tight enough on the outlets from the pump and it would leak a little when flowing. The chihiros dosing head ended up looking decent, so I'll probably leave it as is.

The app has very easy calibration and comes with a small graduated cylinder.

As for longevity, hard to say since it's new to market. It seems like the whole system is pretty well thought out.

I have a bulk reef supply top off peristaltic pump on the same tank, and that thing is a tank in comparison. It's tubing size and design make it much easier to plumb inline, but not really the right tool for dosing fertilizers.

Chihiros Dosing System

BRS Dosing Pump