Incredible Corals December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 I would like to automate the dosing of Alk and Calc to my reef tank. What dosing pumps do you recommend? My plan is to purchased the concentrate Calc&Alk, mix it with ro/di and have the pumps dose for me. The tank is still pretty new so I would think a gallon of each would last me a while. I will also continue dosing kalk with the ato. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 I would like to automate the dosing of Alk and Calc to my reef tank. What dosing pumps do you recommend? My plan is to purchased the concentrate Calc&Alk, mix it with ro/di and have the pumps dose for me. The tank is still pretty new so I would think a gallon of each would last me a while. I will also continue dosing kalk with the ato. Thanks! This is what I use. Dual channel to dose both at the same rate and time. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan S December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 I highly recommend 2 of these from BRS. They are excellent quality, worked accurately, and never gave me any issues. Plus they are on sale for $79.99 each right now: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/calcium-alkalinity-magnesium/two-part-accessories/brs-2-part-doser-1-1-ml-per-minute.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowieReefer84 December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 This is what I use. Dual channel to dose both at the same rate and time. Ron I like the BRS pumps, but they require a timer. This one looks to be nice as well. Only thing is you do not want to add alk and calc at same time into same area. I guess you could have one output in return of sump, and other in another section of your sump... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan S December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 I like the BRS pumps, but they require a timer. This one looks to be nice as well. Only thing is you do not want to add alk and calc at same time into same area. I guess you could have one output in return of sump, and other in another section of your sump... BRS pumps do require a timer. I used a couple $4 timers from walmart. They worked great. A controller would do the trick as well. I don't believe the Nautilis allows for individual control. Sometimes you may want to dose a little more or less Alk or Cal, so individual pumps would be ideal for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 I am a HUGE fan of my liter meter. I consider it to be the best investment I have made in my tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 I don't believe the Nautilis allows for individual control. Sometimes you may want to dose a little more or less Alk or Cal, so individual pumps would be ideal for that. You are correct. Both are dosed at the same rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 This one looks to be nice as well. Only thing is you do not want to add alk and calc at same time into same area. I guess you could have one output in return of sump, and other in another section of your sump... That is how mine is set up...parts dosed at separate sections of the sump. The tubes that come with unit allow for the dosing locations to be physically separate by some distance. I have a question I posted in another thread as not to hijack this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowieReefer84 December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 This is how I do it... P1010033 by mteske1, on Flickr P1010032 by mteske1, on Flickr I make sure to only keep enough solution for about 3 weeks. I also mark the bottles to know about how fast they go down... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incredible Corals December 15, 2011 Author Share December 15, 2011 This is what I use. Dual channel to dose both at the same rate and time. Ron Thanks for the help everyone! I think I'll go with the one onux20 recommend. I figure after buying tow and the timers and will be the same price. This seems to be a nice all in one unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epleeds December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 profilux unit. best money i have ever spent. a little pricey, but all in one system. http://www.aquacave.com/ghl-profilux-stand-alone-brdosing-system-3-pumpsbr-w-controller-3022.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incredible Corals December 15, 2011 Author Share December 15, 2011 profilux unit. best money i have ever spent. a little pricey, but all in one system. http://www.aquacave.com/ghl-profilux-stand-alone-brdosing-system-3-pumpsbr-w-controller-3022.html Wow that one is awesome. Lets see if I can convince the family as a Xmas / Bday present Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firecrackerbob December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 Two TOM pumps and two timers- cheapest way to go IMHO. http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/11652/product.web Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 I like the BRS pumps, but they require a timer. This one looks to be nice as well. Only thing is you do not want to add alk and calc at same time into same area. I guess you could have one output in return of sump, and other in another section of your sump... I use the Nautilus Doser on 4 separate tanks and I've never had any issues with them and I've also never heard of separating the lines to disperse solutions into 2 diff areas of the sump. It's a myth that they'll bond together and cancel each other out. Silliness. I have one on my tank too and the 2 lines are 1/2" apart. Ca and Alk are steady. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowieReefer84 December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 I use the Nautilus Doser on 4 separate tanks and I've never had any issues with them and I've also never heard of separating the lines to disperse solutions into 2 diff areas of the sump. It's a myth that they'll bond together and cancel each other out. Silliness. I have one on my tank too and the 2 lines are 1/2" apart. Ca and Alk are steady. I never said cancel out... They WILL make it snow if mixed together in an area without enough flow to dissipate them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firecrackerbob December 15, 2011 Share December 15, 2011 Calcium chloride plus sodium bicrab (or carb) WILL MOST DEFINITELY react together. if you have not seen it take a container and mix a shot of each part of two part together. this forms calcium carbonate, which is insoluble, and sodium chloride(salt). there is absolutely no silliness there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khalid December 16, 2011 Share December 16, 2011 Stay away from the Aquamedic dosing pump they suck. I have two and both went out on me after a few months use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roni December 16, 2011 Share December 16, 2011 I've got a marine magic dosing pump, which works well. Only problem is that with a power outage you lose the programming. However, for $150, hard to beat the price. You get a 3 pump doser. I also have a litermeter with topoff module. Rock solid but pricier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k December 16, 2011 Share December 16, 2011 Calcium chloride plus sodium bicrab (or carb) WILL MOST DEFINITELY react together. if you have not seen it take a container and mix a shot of each part of two part together. this forms calcium carbonate, which is insoluble, and sodium chloride(salt). there is absolutely no silliness there... never had it happen with the 2 lines only 1/2" apart. still silly to think that it's gonna happen with 2 separate lines dripping into the water. all you paranoiacs can worry about it and put the lines at opposite ends if it makes you feel better.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buucca December 17, 2011 Share December 17, 2011 (edited) Resolved QuestionShow me another Edited December 17, 2011 by Buucca Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k December 17, 2011 Share December 17, 2011 I've accidentally mixed the alk in the calcium bucket before and had a reaction similar to vinegar and baking soda. I've also poured alk immediately after pouring cal and had a snowstorm, but these were large amounts. The minuscule droplets that come from the doser almost immediately are diluted into the water and don't have the mixing issues as described above. I'm sure that at some point it has occurred and unfortunately it has turned into another one of those aquatic urban legends. Almost as silly as a mantis shrimp breaking a glass tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k December 17, 2011 Share December 17, 2011 Thanks for the help everyone! I think I'll go with the one onux20 recommend. I figure after buying tow and the timers and will be the same price. This seems to be a nice all in one unit. Here's a little trick to dosing different amounts of alk and calcium with the doser since it only delivers both solutions at the same rate- mix stronger or weaker batches of a or c to compensate. The 90 SPS tank uses a 2cup of calcium to 1.5cup alk per gallon of water and both get delivered at the rate of 55ml/day. Cal stays at 350-375 and alk is between 3.30 to 3.88 meq/l. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefoholic December 17, 2011 Share December 17, 2011 <br />I've got a marine magic dosing pump, which works well. Only problem is that with a power outage you lose the programming. However, for $150, hard to beat the price. You get a 3 pump doser. <br /><br /> I also have a litermeter with topoff module. Rock solid but pricier.<br /> <br /><br /><br /> I have the same doser and I am very happy with it! The price is very affordable, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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