Dosing: Controlled via Apex vs Standalone Units

[thejoshdavis]

Looking into getting some dosing pumps for the tanks and wanted to get a vote on who does what and why.

I know that there are some issues with the Apex EB8s and only using the relay outlets, I saw this while testing an Aqualifter for a calcium reactor. I have 2 EB8s so that shouldnt be an issue. Let's see what you all do and some information as to why you went that route.

 

[pickupman66]

While I have no reason to start dozing in my new tank as I have no SPS corals I know I will be getting back into them and have been considering purchasing a stand-alone.. So I will be following along with this conversation as well.

 

[thejoshdavis]

Major reasoning behind this is because our pals at Jebao have released their own 4 head standalone doser. I'm very very tempted to get one and just control the power of it off the Apex. The price is great compared to what 4 single dosers would run you.

 

[pickupman66]

Yup. Looking at that one too..
Granted no apex but I could do with my rke.

My concern would be boot time and such

 

[thejoshdavis]

I may just buy one and see how it is. It's hard to beat the price.

 

[pickupman66]

if you do, please let me know how you like it. from the video it looks very nice and easy to operate.

 

[Dowtish]

For dosing 2 part through BRS 1.1ml dosing pumps and a 50ml dsoing pump for my kalk stirrer, there has been nothing better than having it hooked to my APEX. Any adjustment has been super easy down to the ml with just a change in the OSC code.

Using reeftronics.net you can use the OSC calculator and it makes it a breeze.

 

[NeveSSL]

Great point about the OSC calculator, Chris. I didn't know that existed.

Are you pushing your top off through you kalk reactor? Or just a set amount of water each day?

Brandon

 

[YodaHart]

Major reasoning behind this is because our pals at Jebao have released their own 4 head standalone doser. I'm very very tempted to get one and just control the power of it off the Apex. The price is great compared to what 4 single dosers would run you.

There would be need to control it from the apex unless you want a failsafe backup if the ph gets too high. The jebao unit has a built-in controller.

 

[thejoshdavis]

There would be need to control it from the apex unless you want a failsafe backup if the ph gets too high. The jebao unit has a built-in controller.

Yeah I realize that. I would have it configured on the apex.

 

[Dowtish]

Great point about the OSC calculator, Chris. I didn't know that existed.

Are you pushing your top off through you kalk reactor? Or just a set amount of water each day?

Brandon

I use the calculator and use the water from ATO tank.

 

[NeveSSL]

So a set amount?

Brandon

 

[Dowtish]

So a set amount?

Brandon

Yes, it is currently set to 3200ml dosing at twice through 24 hours.

 

[ToXIc]

Josh why do you have the Aqualifter on the apex? It suppose to feed the CalRx 24/7.

I chose brs dosing pumps over a standalone unit. But I use them to dose trace elements from RedSea




Just like Chris said I use the calculator also it's great. Although I'll probably never have the need to change the OSC command I still like the fact that I can do it trough my Apex web interface instead of having to push buttons on a standalone.

Having to use them on the relay ports is a drawback tho.

 

[thejoshdavis]

Josh why do you have the Aqualifter on the apex? It suppose to feed the CalRx 24/7.

I chose brs dosing pumps over a standalone unit. But I use them to dose trace elements from RedSea




Just like Chris said I use the calculator also it's great. Although I'll probably never have the need to change the OSC command I still like the fact that I can do it trough my Apex web interface instead of having to push buttons on a standalone.

Having to use them on the relay ports is a drawback tho.

Yeah the Aqualifter feeds the CaRX. I'll probably combine the Aqualifter and the Eheim pump to a single outlet. Hard to believe I'm maxed out on 2 EB8s right now.

 

[ToXIc]

just put it on a regular power strip

 

[thejoshdavis]

just put it on a regular power strip

I am/will. I just like having he ability to kill the outlet of needed.

 

[6272862829]

Josh the jebao doser I don't know if I told you has a real time clock so that means if power goes out then when it comes back up all your setting will be store in the right timing. Also reef angel which is the controller I have found a way to use the marine magic single doser to be controlled by the reef angel. I believe this can be done if you buy a slave unit from jebao and hook it up to the reef angel and write a code and you would be able to control it from your phone

 

[schooleyosis]

My Dosing pump stuck on when it was ran off of the Apex. Ended up dosing over a liter of ALK over several hours. I commanded the pump off but it stuck on. That didn't leave a good taste in my mouth. I sold those pumps, opened up some outlets, and now run a bubblemagnus dosing station. I love the station other than the fact that the pumps are pretty loud. I'm considering buying a Jebao just for the fun of it.

 

[creefer]

I love my BRS pumps but it's awful tough to look away from the Jebao units. I nearly bought the BM unit, but figured I didn't need to do that with Apex. Now I'm looking at the Jebao because the BRS units are loud.