BowieReefer84 March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 Hello, I am in the process of trying to automate my tank as much as possible, and this includes 2 part dosing. My question relates to two part dosing. I have a small tank at only 29 gallons, and have calculated my Alk to drop 0.2 each day. By my calculations I need to replenish with 5ml of Alk, and 5ml of Calcium to maintain my levels in balance. Most dosing pumps I see range from 1.1-1.6ml per minute (BRS and drews pumps). What type of timer would be best to use? I have a marineland timer for controlling my lights, but these timers only allow for 15 min intervals. This would dose way too much solution. Could I dillute the bionic with rodi water so that 15min would work? I have a feeling this is not the best option, and want some recommendations. I am open to any type of pump/timer combination you would recommend. I realize on my small setup this may be overkill in some of your opinions, but items like these will transfer over to a larger tank when I upgrade. I am tired of filling up the tiny measuring cups each morning before work. It doesn't take long, but can be a pain. Also, I go out of town on weekends sometimes, and I have noone to do these small tasks for me.... Thanks, Mike
epleeds March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 Mike, If you can stomach the money for the profilux stand-a-lone unit, its so worth the cost. I have it running my 2 part top off and even have the 3rd pump set as my top off. It is a bit pricey, but its all contained in one unit and is the easiest thing to use. It keeps my parameters in check. Eric Hello, I am in the process of trying to automate my tank as much as possible, and this includes 2 part dosing. My question relates to two part dosing. I have a small tank at only 29 gallons, and have calculated my Alk to drop 0.2 each day. By my calculations I need to replenish with 5ml of Alk, and 5ml of Calcium to maintain my levels in balance. Most dosing pumps I see range from 1.1-1.6ml per minute (BRS and drews pumps). What type of timer would be best to use? I have a marineland timer for controlling my lights, but these timers only allow for 15 min intervals. This would dose way too much solution. Could I dillute the bionic with rodi water so that 15min would work? I have a feeling this is not the best option, and want some recommendations. I am open to any type of pump/timer combination you would recommend. I realize on my small setup this may be overkill in some of your opinions, but items like these will transfer over to a larger tank when I upgrade. I am tired of filling up the tiny measuring cups each morning before work. It doesn't take long, but can be a pain. Also, I go out of town on weekends sometimes, and I have noone to do these small tasks for me.... Thanks, Mike
BowieReefer84 March 21, 2011 Author March 21, 2011 (edited) Eric, I see it says: * Flow rate approx: 60ml/minute each pump * Smallest dose: 1ml Can it really be accurately run for 1 second to dose 1ml? With that math I would only need the pump to run 5 seconds a day.... I do not see how it can be accurate at that level. What is your opinion on this? How do you have yours set? Thanks! Edited March 21, 2011 by BowieReefer84
Origami March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 If I'm not mistaken, the Apex controller has a timer resolution of 1 second which could meet this need. You'd spend a bit of money to get there, though. Alternatively, if you have a timer that can give you 1-minute resolution, you could always dilute your two-part so that you can deliver the required dose in increments divisible by 1 minute.
hlem March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 (edited) I use: pump: TOM Aquarium Aqua Lifter (1.xxml per min) - $15-20 timer: got one from Lowes/home depot, dont remember what it's called. there should be timer that can do 1 minute on/off - $10-15 look for the one that can do 8 modes. i use this for my kalk reactor, easily adjustable to add/minus 1 minute a day Edited March 21, 2011 by hlem
dakotasreef March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 I would personally consider a controller or an automated dosing pump. I feel for dosing 2 part, that would be the safest route. You just want to make sure you have a safe and reliable setup for this. Any mistakes or inaccurate dosing could wipe out your tank. Sent from my DROIDX
BowieReefer84 March 21, 2011 Author March 21, 2011 $300 for the bubble magus triple doser. I see this on BRS, and the reviews are positive. Do you feel it can go as low as 1ml per dose accurately? Thanks for your input.
amay121 March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 I don't have any experience with it, but was going to get it. Been reading on the other sites, R2R and RC about the product and so far everyone likes it.
epleeds March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 (edited) Mike, the way I set mine up is to dose say 5 ml 6 times in a 24 hour period. after a few days, I check the levels again to see if its still on target or if its slightly higher or lower. Then with that info, I change the ML amount in 1ml increminents to make up for the difference until it gets where it needs to be. That way when the corals start using more 2 part all i need to do is adjust the ML amount and the controller does the rest. It is idiot proof, even I cant mess it up. I was out of town for 3 months and aside from having to have someone fill up the containers, it help 99% stable the entire period. I had to adjust a few ML at one point but aside from that it didnt move. I am sold on the profilux. The reason I went with it over the bubble magnus was that I use the 3rd pump for my top off. I figured that i loose .8 gallons per day. I made the pump put that much back into the sump over the course of the day, say in 10 cycles. The bubble magnus could not dose that amount of fluid. Eric, I see it says: * Flow rate approx: 60ml/minute each pump * Smallest dose: 1ml Can it really be accurately run for 1 second to dose 1ml? With that math I would only need the pump to run 5 seconds a day.... I do not see how it can be accurate at that level. What is your opinion on this? How do you have yours set? Thanks! Edited March 21, 2011 by epleeds
BowieReefer84 March 21, 2011 Author March 21, 2011 Eric, So the Bubble Magus would not have been able to pump enough for your daily top off which is 3,000ml (the BM can only do 1999ml per day)? If that is the only thing different I would go with the BM. Thanks!
mrholiday March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 Check out this site from forrealb50 http://www.reef2reef...cracked-up.htm. hope this help...
epleeds March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 Not sure if you have an ATO, but if you ever decided to go bigger, you could use the 3rd channel for that. I got mine at aquacave. http://www.aquacave.com/ghl-profilux-stand-alone-brdosing-system-3-pumpsbr-w-controller-3022.html But if you get the bubble im sure you would be happy with it. Eric, So the Bubble Magus would not have been able to pump enough for your daily top off which is 3,000ml (the BM can only do 1999ml per day)? If that is the only thing different I would go with the BM. Thanks!
BowieReefer84 March 21, 2011 Author March 21, 2011 Not sure if you have an ATO, but if you ever decided to go bigger, you could use the 3rd channel for that. I got mine at aquacave. http://www.aquacave....oller-3022.html But if you get the bubble im sure you would be happy with it. The title says three pumps, but the picture shows four. Is the photo a mis-print?
zygote2k March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 For about $200, you can buy a Nautilus "2 channel" dosing pump. I use one on the 90 and it can be set for x amount per day in ml's. Adjustable from 1ml/day to 300ml/day. Can be controlled with any controller and has an excellent digital readout and is super simple to use.
epleeds March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 The title says three pumps, but the picture shows four. Is the photo a mis-print? thats their stock pick. the one I have has the 3 pumps and an extra channel if I ever wanted to add another. dont know if i will ever need that
OldReefer March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 Ever consider BRS dosers with the solution mixed up to 1/3 of the normal concentration? That would be a zero-cost answer. If you are going to go with a bigger tank and an Apex someday I would suggest the BRS dosers as an ideal answer. The two play together well without any duplicated functionality. You will not stay at 5ml demand for very long. My 150 is using 400-500 ml a day right now. Just a thought...
OldReefer March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 I realize I wasn't clear. I meant considering using the BRS solution mixed at 1/3 the concentration to make the dosers fit. You mix up the BRS solutions anyway so it would be really easy.
Jager March 21, 2011 March 21, 2011 if you are looking at controllers and dosing if you have the time, go talk to Johnny at BRK he just got in more APEX's I know Sean @ F&F is also extremely knowledgeable if you are closer to there. either way, getting some hands on time with them will probably be your best bet. when that much money is at stake you really want to be comfortable with what you are buying and the support behind the product. the BRS dosers are great, as above they tie in easy with a controller. if you are lucky/good on ebay you could look into a medical irrigation pump with multiple cartridge pump attachments if you want to control dosing down to the most minute amounts, but at the same time the apex proflux etc can do the same with dosing pumps and be so much more expandable.
BowieReefer84 March 21, 2011 Author March 21, 2011 if you are looking at controllers and dosing if you have the time, go talk to Johnny at BRK he just got in more APEX's I know Sean @ F&F is also extremely knowledgeable if you are closer to there. either way, getting some hands on time with them will probably be your best bet. when that much money is at stake you really want to be comfortable with what you are buying and the support behind the product. the BRS dosers are great, as above they tie in easy with a controller. if you are lucky/good on ebay you could look into a medical irrigation pump with multiple cartridge pump attachments if you want to control dosing down to the most minute amounts, but at the same time the apex proflux etc can do the same with dosing pumps and be so much more expandable. Thank you for the input. I am not ready to spend $500 on a controller, and then have to purchase pumps. If I had more money I would likely take this route.
BowieReefer84 March 21, 2011 Author March 21, 2011 Question: Can I dilute B-ionic two part with rodi water? Say cut it in half? I purchased the premixed, but I know the gallon size do require mixing. This way I could dose 10ml a day instead of 5ml, and this would open up some options for me. Just trying to play out all scenarios. Thanks for all the input everyone.
Origami March 22, 2011 March 22, 2011 Question: Can I dilute B-ionic two part with rodi water? Say cut it in half? Yes. Just be sure to account for it in your dosing.
BowieReefer84 March 22, 2011 Author March 22, 2011 Yes. Just be sure to account for it in your dosing. Yea, I will label the jugs with a sharpie. I've decided to go with two BRS Doser pumps, and two timers. Total cost will be $180 for the pumps (once I can get in on a group buy), and $40 for the timers. These items will always be of use, and will work when I am ready to get a full controller. The reviews on the pumps are outstanding, and they do 1.1ml per minute.
BowieReefer84 April 21, 2011 Author April 21, 2011 FINALLY, the BRS 2 part pumps are in stock. I just ordered two pumps, and a single timer. The timer allows for two plug inputs. It can start stop up to 6 times a day with min run time of 1 minute. Since the pumps do 1.1ml per minute it will not be a problem at all. Can't wait to get this all setup. Does anyone see a problem adding both the Alk and Calc at the same time? I think it should be ok, but read that some of the more fancy doser setups never dose more than one item at the same time. BRS pumps (qty 2) - $190. Timer - $19. Much less than the $300 bubble magus, and way less than the $500 profilux. There are 25 reviews on this pump and they are all 5 stars basically.
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