GHL Doser Control

[iannarelli]

I am in the process of planning out adding a kalkwasser stirrer to my tank. I currently have a Profilux 4 set up that monitors my pH, salinity, temp, and redox, as well as monitoring the water level in my ATO (low water alarm). I also have a Doser 2.1 and a Powerbar on hand, but they're not set up. My plan is to draw water from the ATO using a dosing pump into the kalk stirrer (likely an Avast) and from there it would drop into the sump. I would set the pump up to run continuously based on my evaporation rate (or slightly less) and set up a trigger to turn off the pump head when pH reaches ~8.4.

My question is, does the Doser need to be plugged into the Powerbar in order to automate the control of the pump? Or can the Profilux directly control the pump based on the pH probe reading? I've been avoiding setting up the Powerbar because it's bulky, and I currently have everything set up on Kasa smart plugs. The latter would allow me to utilize an unused outlet.

 

[Pod_01]

There are generally 2 types of Doser2.x configuration. There is Stand Alone that can be controlled directly by the app and there is the Extension (slave) unit that is controlled by Profilux4 controller and you need to connect it to the PAB chain. All devices that are controlled by P4 require to be on the PAB chain.
The dozer power plug can be connected to any power plug. The power bar and Doser Extension unit do not contain Wifi module hence they need to be connected to the PAB network/chain with PAB cable.

Here is example from GHL manual:

 

[iannarelli]

Thanks @Pod_01! I should have mentioned my Doser 2.1 is a stand-alone unit. I don't plan to get the KH Director, but it seems like the takeaway is if I connect the Doser and Profilux using the PAB ports that I should be able to acheive the desired behavior (the designating dosing channel/pump runs continuously based on the program I set up until the pH probe reaches the upper limit).

I had originally skimmed the instructions on this page linked below, and after a few mentions on the Powerbar, stopped to author my original post. It seems I should have kept reading, though there's still a little ambiguity over whether using the GHL Doser pump head to run the dosing schedule is in lieu of the Powerbar.

How to stop dosing when pH is above (x) - GHL Advanced Technology

www.aquariumcomputer.com

 

[Pod_01]

The PAB illustrates the network setup and you can daisy chain from P4 to Powerbar to Doser 2.x.
When you add Stand alone Doser to PAB network it behaves like Extension (slave) unit.
I have my Stand alone Doser set up this way.
Once set up like this you can initiate dosing based on pH probe reading that is connected to P4. I suggest you test it before dosing to your tank.

Just one clarification, I do not believe Doser 2.1 can dose continuously!

 

[iannarelli]

The PAB illustrates the network setup and you can daisy chain from P4 to Powerbar to Doser 2.x.
When you add Stand alone Doser to PAB network it behaves like Extension (slave) unit.
I have my Stand alone Doser set up this way.
Once set up like this you can initiate dosing based on pH probe reading that is connected to P4. I suggest you test it before dosing to your tank.

Just one clarification, I do not believe Doser 2.1 can dose continuously!

Hmmmm, didn't realize that about the 2.1. So are you saying I need to use the GHL Powerbar? Currently, I have the Profilux plugged into an outlet on a Kasa smart power strip and had wanted to plug the Doser into a neighboring out, avoiding the GHL powerbar altogether.

I guess I'm not seeing why its needed... as long as the Doser is plugged into something, won't the connections between it and the Profilux determine when the pumps turn on or not?

Apologies if that's a stupid question, or I'm missing something that's right in front of me.

 

[Pod_01]

You don’t need the powerbar for the doser operation.
But if you want to use the powerbar it only works if it is connected to the PAB network.
P4 controls powerbar…


I hope that helps…

 

[iannarelli]

You don’t need the powerbar for the doser operation.
But if you want to use the powerbar it only works if it is connected to the PAB network.
P4 controls powerbar…


I hope that helps…

Yes, that makes sense. At the moment I don't really need or want to automate a ton of things, perhaps when I move and get a bigger tank and have a less crowded sump using the Powerbar will be more attractive.