Affordable, reliable, user-friendly dosing setup

[TX_REEF]

Hello folks. When I first got into reefing in my college years, automatic dosing was out of my budget completely. This time around, I made an active effort to research and personally test the equipment I determined to be the best combo of affordability, functionality and aesthetics. I enjoy simple, intuitive, durable products. I can heartily recommend the below equipment to anyone looking into automating their dosing. I use these products on both my frag and display systems. I hope some folks find this helpful.

Dosing Pump

Product: Simplicity 4-head dosing pump

Notes: great price for 4 individually controllable dosing heads. No software needed, controller is integrated with LED screen. Includes programming and calibration instructions, extra replacement dosing heads, and mounting hardware including a cardboard template so you can pre-drill for the screws effortlessly to mount the unit. I have been using this for a year now with no issues. You can accurately dose 4 different components with this single unit.

Product Link: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-head-dosing-pump-simplicity.html?ab_version=B&utm_term=&utm_campaign=EL+|+ACQ_Prospecting_PMax+|+ROAS+|+Open+Targets+|+Medium+Margin&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&hsa_acc=7373341438&hsa_cam=17740353356&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAqrG9BhAVEiwAaPu5zghZikoVkDmwzzrDf71WPBB8KiTXfKX6rk4aLGTuunHI819ziPcFqRoCJFkQAvD_BwE

Dosing Reservoirs

Products: 1.5 liter acrylic reservoir and 5 liter acrylic reservoir

Notes: not much to say here, they are affordable, good looking and durable. The lids fit securely but are not air tight so will not cause issues with suction. They have graduations on the side so you know the amount of liquid currently inside the container to gauge usage. The have a barbed fitting on top to connect to dosing lines, and a rigid tube within to pull liquid from the bottom of the container. I use the 1.5 liter containers for lower volume additives such as neonitro, neophos, etc, and I use the 5 liter container for kalkwasser.

1.5 liter product link: https://amzn.to/4hYLILD

5 liter product link: https://amzn.to/4hThGc0

Dosing Lines

Product: Aquarium Choice dosing tubing

Notes: I used airline tubing before this, and this is noticeably thinner which allows more accurate dosing with less material sitting stagnant in the lines between automated doses. I also enjoy the colors, I know some folks prefer plain clear but I am not one of them. Directly compatible with the pump and reservoirs above.

Product Link: https://amzn.to/3WY6JOu

 

[magallonbuckinbulls]

Thats awesome that you have done all this research, very cool. Enjoyed the read.

The way I look at it is;
Which one would you want to be plugged into if you were in the ICU? Thats how we should treat the critters in our tanks :). With the best available.
I would rather do it manually and keep saving till I can purchase the best.

 

[Pod_01]

Which one would you want to be plugged into if you were in the ICU? Thats how we should treat the critters in our tanks :). With the best available.

Interesting perspective… didn’t think of it that way.
But, which one would meats that description.
For example I been using GHL Doser and it has been robust for the past 5+ years…

 

[magallonbuckinbulls]

Interesting perspective… didn’t think of it that way.
But, which one would meats that description.
For example I been using GHL Doser and it has been robust for the past 5+ years…

If you have used a product for a while now, and it has been proven to be reliable, i would stick with it.
Ive used Versa Peristaltic pumps for various applications and have found it to be a reliable product.