Best doser for the money rn?

[West1]

I’ve recently lost all hope with the 12 heads of kamoer f4 pros.

Looking for roughly 20 heads to dose 2-part and reef moonshiners, which might even go up to 24 heads.

With that many pumps, what’s the best brand but keeping price at a minimum!

 

[gbroadbridge]

I’ve recently lost all hope with the 12 heads of kamoer f4 pros.

Looking for roughly 20 heads to dose 2-part and reef moonshiners, which might even go up to 24 heads.

With that many pumps, what’s the best brand but keeping price at a minimum!

I was going to say Kamoer F4 pro :)

The problem with most others is that they either require a controller like an APEX, or they use WiFi which fails often resulting in disrupted dosing like the Reef Factory dosers.

I don't think that there is any such thing as a perfect doser unless you move out of hobby devices and into laboratory equipment with a matching price tag. Even then it would be difficult to tick all boxes.

What problems are you having with the Kamoer?

 

[TX_REEF]

I can heartily recommend the Simplicity 4-head doser. It allows you to set each dosing head without any apps, which I love, but others may not: https://www.simplicityaquatics.com/dosing-pump/

 

[West1]

I was going to say Kamoer F4 pro :)

The problem with most others is that they either require a controller like an APEX, or they use WiFi which fails often resulting in disrupted dosing like the Reef Factory dosers.

I don't think that there is any such thing as a perfect doser unless you move out of hobby devices and into laboratory equipment with a matching price tag. Even then it would be difficult to tick all boxes.

What problems are you having with the Kamoer?

Well… I had no problems with my 3yr old f4. That led me to pull the trigger on a used and new one from CoralVue. When I got the used one, I opened my app do setup and seen there was a firmware update, naturally I updated. Then updated my old f4’s firmware. Immediately I had calibration issues on both, old and used kamoer.
I get a “parameter error” when adding the ml from the 10 second calibration.
I reached out to kamoer through the app and it’s been a week long nightmare.
During that time, CoralVue delivered the brand new f4. I calibrated the unit out of the box and it worked flawlessly. Then I updated firmware and now all 3 can’t be calibrated.
Reached out to CoralVue and both have been saying I’m using the wrong power supply and a link to buy the right one.
To make a long story short, I told them to ship me the correct adapter for the new one and if it solves the problem, I’ll buy the new power supplies.
CoralVue emails me in the morning and Kamoer emails me after 9pm. I’ve stayed up as last as 2am on a work day from sending pics, videos etc of what they are asking.
I’ve deleted devices, reset, created new app profiles etc… same result in the screenshot below… at this point, I’ve given my best foot forward to keep the units, I’m done now

 

[West1]

I can heartily recommend the Simplicity 4-head doser. It allows you to set each dosing head without any apps, which I love, but others may not: https://www.simplicityaquatics.com/dosing-pump/

I’ve seen those and considered them! Just not sure how accurate they are

 

[gbroadbridge]

Well… I had no problems with my 3yr old f4. That led me to pull the trigger on a used and new one from CoralVue. When I got the used one, I opened my app do setup and seen there was a firmware update, naturally I updated. Then updated my old f4’s firmware. Immediately I had calibration issues on both, old and used kamoer.
I get a “parameter error” when adding the ml from the 10 second calibration.
I reached out to kamoer through the app and it’s been a week long nightmare.
During that time, CoralVue delivered the brand new f4. I calibrated the unit out of the box and it worked flawlessly. Then I updated firmware and now all 3 can’t be calibrated.
Reached out to CoralVue and both have been saying I’m using the wrong power supply and a link to buy the right one.
To make a long story short, I told them to ship me the correct adapter for the new one and if it solves the problem, I’ll buy the new power supplies.
CoralVue emails me in the morning and Kamoer emails me after 9pm. I’ve stayed up as last as 2am on a work day from sending pics, videos etc of what they are asking.
I’ve deleted devices, reset, created new app profiles etc… same result in the screenshot below… at this point, I’ve given my best foot forward to keep the units, I’m done now

Ouch - sounds like you're having fun.

My golden rule is that once something is working I turn off or ignore any software or firmware upgrades.
Of course you could not do that and got bitten.

The kamoers are a solid doser - hopefully they get you back on track soon.

 

[West1]

Ouch - sounds like you're having fun.

My golden rule is that once something is working I turn off or ignore any software or firmware upgrades.
Of course you could not do that and got bitten.

The kamoers are a solid doser - hopefully they get you back on track soon.

Yeah I regret updating the firmware, I really do!!
Look at how many emails I’ve been going back and forth with kamoer and CoralVue. It’s just silly.
I’m 1000% positive it’s the firmware but Kamoer said it’s working properly on their end and sent me a screenshot of the app accepting calibration.
I’ve tried using my old Android, my daughter’s iPhone and my wife’s. All the same result w/different profiles.

 

[Imrahilwjz]

Yeah I regret updating the firmware, I really do!!
Look at how many emails I’ve been going back and forth with kamoer and CoralVue. It’s just silly.
I’m 1000% positive it’s the firmware but Kamoer said it’s working properly on their end and sent me a screenshot of the app accepting calibration.
I’ve tried using my old Android, my daughter’s iPhone and my wife’s. All the same result w/different profiles.

I'm with you. I have a hydros controller and firmware updates are a bloody nuisance.

 

[Crimsonphoenix]

I have a Jebao d4 that I have used for 5 years $65 with NO problems! Programmable and accurate if you calibrate it properly.

 

[TX_REEF]

I’ve seen those and considered them! Just not sure how accurate they are

I only use them for kalk, and they are easy to calibrate which I do every 6 months.

 

[TX_REEF]

Also @Simplicity Aquatics is active on these forums, and I'd bet they'd be happy to answer any questions about that unit which I enjoy so much (p.s sponsor me please just kidding but not really :grinning-squinting-face: )

 

[Mwatts12]

I use a simplicity for ammonia and neophos.

I have the 2 head Red Sea for Alk and CA which is an amazing dose. The app and controls make it priceless to me.

It would be pricey but I would go with Red Sea. BRS did a video covering it

 

[pooootiqe]

Fairly sure you can mix some of the trace elements to make a master solution, and simply adjust the dose after every ICP (Captiv8 does this). Otherwise, diy solutions are much more affordable.

I think Jebao has a 6 head doser for cheap if diy isn’t an option.

 

[areefer01]

I'm not sure I understand the need for 20 dosing heads. That sounds like a nightmare to me not to mention 20x of a potential mishap.

Do you dose daily with moonshiners or what is the frequency and can you group some? Only reason why I'm asking is that it may lower your cost regardless of what brand/solution you choose.

TL; DR not knocking the choice just wondering if the juice is worth the squeeze.

 

[liddojunior]

I use jebao to dose. It’s manual control and is like 4 heads for 60$

Why 24 heads tho? Dosing trace elements should be manual. And as needed. It’ll be easier to just use the dosing pump for automated water changes

 

[West1]

I'm not sure I understand the need for 20 dosing heads. That sounds like a nightmare to me not to mention 20x of a potential mishap.

Do you dose daily with moonshiners or what is the frequency and can you group some? Only reason why I'm asking is that it may lower your cost regardless of what brand/solution you choose.

TL; DR not knocking the choice just wondering if the juice is worth the squeeze.

My goal is to reduce the icp tests. I do monthly and will dial the non dailies into a daily if that makes sense. Once running and gunning with moonshine (plus 2 part/mag, liquid mud & vitaminX), I’ll just send an icp every 2-4 months.

 

[Yooper Reef]

What I do is use a hydros xp8 power strip and simple hydros 2ml dosers or BRS doser. Control with the hydros app. Little bit more expensive 100% worth it

 

[West1]

What I do is use a hydros xp8 power strip and simple hydros 2ml dosers or BRS doser. Control with the hydros app. Little bit more expensive 100% worth it

How long have you used the hydros dosers?
Can you daisychain them?

 

[Jimbo]

I like my Red Sea Reef Dose. Works great , easy and reliable App. Working great over 3 years now

 

[braaap]

How long have you used the hydros dosers?
Can you daisychain them?

The hydros dosers are all Kamoer. Complete junk. I have one of the drive port dosers for my Hydros and will be replacing it soon. They put kamoer heads on their Minnow and X10 and they are garbage. They leak, crack and don't hold calibration.

I LOVE my ReefDose. Only piece of RedSea gear I own. I have a 4 head and a 2 head. Absolutely awesome dosers. They calibrate easily, the app is easy and clear to use, they give you alerts on any issues they might have. After 6+ months I just checked calibration and it was all spot on. The tubing connectors are the best I've ever seen in the hobby. They firmly attach and don't leak. Awesome design.

You can get them cheaper on AliExpress. They are legit RedSea dosers. https://www.aliexpress.us/w/wholesale-ReefDose-doser.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.search.0