Dosing pump

[kuruptko]

I have the Apex controller and I've been debating on a dosing pump should I stick with the Apex dosing pump (it has 2 pumps) or should I go with something else like a 4 or 6 stage dosing pump???? any feed back will be greatly appreciated I have a 150 gallon mixed reef tank and I'm dosing alkalinity calcium magnesium and Trace elements

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

I am going to be very honest here although I dont agree with apex or its cost and definitely not with dos and its ddr. I think it's just too over priced if you want all the bells and whistles... that said
I have 2 x dos units and before I had many off brand dosers and even name brand.
I would not go back to anything over dos.
It's so easy for all setting in one spot and in dos you set how many ml and that's it.

 

[kuruptko]

I am going to be very honest here although I dont agree with apex or its cost and definitely not with dos and its ddr. I think it's just too over priced if you want all the bells and whistles... that said
I have 2 x dos units and before I had many off brand dosers and even name brand.
I would not go back to anything over dos.
It's so easy for all setting in one spot and in dos you set how many ml and that's it.

Sweet [emoji106] thanks for the info

 

[Tastee]

I run Aquaforest 3 part and dose with 2 DOS units. That leaves me a spare for NoPoX as needed. Yes they are expensive but the stepper motor means you can gradually dose very accurately over long periods to maintain stability. That, the integration with Apex Fusion, and the ease of control, are the selling points for me.

The DDR however I feel is an overpriced acrylic box. If you need an alert to tell you your dosing reservoirs need topping up then you aren’t looking at your tank often enough IMHO. I instead bought a simple 3 reservoir acrylic unit for ~1/15th the cost of DDRs.

 

[Hemmdog]

I have the Apex controller and I've been debating on a dosing pump should I stick with the Apex dosing pump (it has 2 pumps) or should I go with something else like a 4 or 6 stage dosing pump???? any feed back will be greatly appreciated I have a 150 gallon mixed reef tank and I'm dosing alkalinity calcium magnesium and Trace elements

If you looking for options I highly recommend bubble magus, Bm-T11. It’s never missed a dose or over dosed for me. Power outages, no big deal. It comes with 3 dosers on the main unit. Then when your feeling wild you can get the bm-T12 slave unit and have 4 additional. So that’s 7 dosers total, super good quality, for around $400-500. Less if you only get the bm-T11 to start. I really don’t like how DOS only has 2 pumps and I find them bulky. I feel like I would spend a fortune trying to achieve all the dosing I want if I went that route, would rather spend that extra money on cool corals or more lights.

 

[kuruptko]

If you looking for options I highly recommend bubble magus, Bm-T11. It’s never missed a dose or over dosed for me. Power outages, no big deal. It comes with 3 dosers on the main unit. Then when your feeling wild you can get the bm-T12 slave unit and have 4 additional. So that’s 7 dosers total, super good quality, for around $400-500. Less if you only get the bm-T11 to start. I really don’t like how DOS only has 2 pumps and I find them bulky. I feel like I would spend a fortune trying to achieve all the dosing I want if I went that route, would rather spend that extra money on cool corals or more lights.

Yes they are bulky I was wondering about that and if they just made them big to handle the water changes out setting ...I kinda like spending 200$ to 500$ and getting more pumps more bang for your buck

 

[Hemmdog]

Yes they are bulky I was wondering about that and if they just made them big to handle the water changes out setting ...I kinda like spending 200$ to 500$ and getting more pumps more bang for your buck

Yea that was my logic as well when I got it. I’m very happy with it. :)

 

[kuruptko]

I run Aquaforest 3 part and dose with 2 DOS units. That leaves me a spare for NoPoX as needed. Yes they are expensive but the stepper motor means you can gradually dose very accurately over long periods to maintain stability. That, the integration with Apex Fusion, and the ease of control, are the selling points for me.

The DDR however I feel is an overpriced acrylic box. If you need an alert to tell you your dosing reservoirs need topping up then you aren’t looking at your tank often enough IMHO. I instead bought a simple 3 reservoir acrylic unit for ~1/15th the cost of DDRs.

Nice

 

[justmee]

I'm looking in to dosing pumps also, I found this new one that's mobile controlled which is pretty cool and affordable:

https://www.coralvue.com/kamoer-x1-bluetooth-micropump

 

[John Neuzil]

I'm looking in to dosing pumps also, I found this new one that's mobile controlled which is pretty cool and affordable:

https://www.coralvue.com/kamoer-x1-bluetooth-micropump

I've used that one for couple of weeks now and so far I'm pleased.

 

[TX_Punisher]

If you looking for options I highly recommend bubble magus, Bm-T11. It’s never missed a dose or over dosed for me. Power outages, no big deal. It comes with 3 dosers on the main unit. Then when your feeling wild you can get the bm-T12 slave unit and have 4 additional. So that’s 7 dosers total, super good quality, for around $400-500. Less if you only get the bm-T11 to start. I really don’t like how DOS only has 2 pumps and I find them bulky. I feel like I would spend a fortune trying to achieve all the dosing I want if I went that route, would rather spend that extra money on cool corals or more lights.

This is what I did. Have the dos for water changes and t11 and t12. You can find sales right now on the bubble magus stuff. Got my t12 for $180 or less 2 weeks ago.

 

[rsumner]

I have the Apex controller and I've been debating on a dosing pump should I stick with the Apex dosing pump (it has 2 pumps) or should I go with something else like a 4 or 6 stage dosing pump???? any feed back will be greatly appreciated I have a 150 gallon mixed reef tank and I'm dosing alkalinity calcium magnesium and Trace elements

In my opinion, one of the main reasons one would want to invest in the DOS and DDR is flexibility, visibility, and integration with the Apex. If you don't want the doser completely integrated with the Apex and cost is a huge factor in your buying decision, then the DOS is likely not the route you want to take. Personally, I like to control and have visibility into every aspect of my tank in one place -- the Apex.

 

[JoshH]

I'll throw my hat In for a trusty GHL 2.1 Doser. Definately cheaper per head, great control and flexibility with the app and GHL control center. The stand alone unit can control up to 3 additional "Slave" units for 16 total heads. Looks good and aside from a few hiccups setting up the app, has been solid for me since.

 

[TX_Punisher]

In my opinion, one of the main reasons one would want to invest in the DOS and DDR is flexibility, visibility, and integration with the Apex.

Or you could do this for $10 and get the same integration. I’ve got a 150,000ml brute I can now watch empty.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/apex-dos-diy-level-switch.246352/page-11