View Full Version : quality dosing pump?
E46er
08/16/2015, 07:12 PM
I had an aqua medic twin doser that worked flawlessly for 5-6 years and then one of the roller wheels broke and I couldnt source another one so I went cheep and bought a magic marine triple doser. I dont know If i got a lemon since reviews were pretty decent on them but its loud and 2 of the 3 motors have died in the 6 months ive had it.
I know the motors are cheep but I also dont want to deal with changing them on a regular basis. whats everyone using for dosing pumps that wont completely break the bank?
people seem happy with the bubble magnus doser what do you guys think? or should I just order a handful of new motors for this piece of junk magic marine.
shifty51008
08/16/2015, 07:52 PM
Spectapure, brs are both very good pumps
pstank1
08/16/2015, 07:58 PM
I've used a bubble magus for the past few years and have been happy with the results. It really depends on what you use to control your tank. My controller couldn't handle dosing, so i went with a bubble magus that can handle everything that could add small amounts throughout the day. If your controller can handle dosing, then i'd look at the brs pumps.
alb_56
08/16/2015, 07:58 PM
I've been using the Jebao doser and it's been pretty solid for me so far.
jason2459
08/16/2015, 08:14 PM
Spectrapure all the way for me now. BRS 1.1ml has been good to me as well dosing vinegar for many years. I won't touch and would never recommend the BRS 50ml peristaltic pump again. I've gone through several of them and each one failing the exact same way with the gears stripping and looks like I'm not the only one with that issue.
E46er
08/16/2015, 08:52 PM
I've used a bubble magus for the past few years and have been happy with the results. It really depends on what you use to control your tank. My controller couldn't handle dosing, so i went with a bubble magus that can handle everything that could add small amounts throughout the day. If your controller can handle dosing, then i'd look at the brs pumps.
I have a reefkeeper controller but from what i gather It only can do the DA dosing pumps which I dont hear much about and at $100 each its not a cheap trial........ anyone use these?
E46er
08/16/2015, 08:54 PM
I've been using the Jebao doser and it's been pretty solid for me so far.
how long have you had it? I have jaebo rw8s and I like them but for something as important as dosing my cheep chinese alternate hasnt worked out, kinda nervous to order another cheep dosing pump
shifty51008
08/16/2015, 09:01 PM
Pumps can change from pump to pump i have found out when built in china. I have one of the 1st marine magic dosing pumps and it still runs good after 6 years. I also have jebao wp pumps and even though they are both wp25's i can tell one was stronger than the other straight out of the box
alb_56
08/16/2015, 09:09 PM
how long have you had it?
I've had it for about 8 months and it hasnt had any issues. I test my water weekly and always watch my Ph spikes with my apex and it's been perfect so far. For me the price was so low why not give it a shot, haven't regretted a bit yet.
dkeller_nc
08/16/2015, 09:09 PM
To be perfectly frank about it, you're always going to get so-so reliability from DC direct-drive dosing pumps, particularly really cheap DC direct-drives.
Stepper motor pumps are where it's at from a reliability standpoint, but they're pricey. The only exception I've heard of here is the LiterMeter pumps from Spectrapure - they're dang near bulletproof. For two channels, you'd need the Litermeter III precision dosing module and one additional "remote" pump; total is about $370 direct from Spectrapure.
The Neptune DOS pumps are stepper motor drives, and 2 channels will set you back $350, but it will only work in conjunction with a Neptune Apex.
Otherwise, you can get Vertex or GHL Profilux with steppers, but those will set you back in the $600 range (for 3 channels and integrated controller).
Edit: Correction, the GHL Profilux Doser 2 with 3 channels, Wi-Fi control and stepper motors is $399, which is a pretty good deal if you think about it.
oseymour
08/16/2015, 09:12 PM
I'm using 3 BRS 1.1ml per minute dosers. Using them for about 2 months now.
Alk, Calcium and Vodka.
E46er
08/16/2015, 09:16 PM
To be perfectly frank about it, you're always going to get so-so reliability from DC direct-drive dosing pumps, particularly really cheap DC direct-drives.
Stepper motor pumps are where it's at from a reliability standpoint, but they're pricey. The only exception I've heard of here is the LiterMeter pumps from Spectrapure - they're dang near bulletproof. For two channels, you'd need the Litermeter III precision dosing module and one additional "remote" pump; total is about $370 direct from Spectrapure.
The Neptune DOS pumps are stepper motor drives, and 2 channels will set you back $350, but it will only work in conjunction with a Neptune Apex.
Otherwise, you can get Vertex or GHL Profilux with steppers, but those will set you back in the $600 range (for 3 channels and integrated controller).
Edit: Correction, the GHL Profilux Doser 2 with 3 channels, Wi-Fi control and stepper motors is $399, which is a pretty good deal if you think about it.
Im also in Canada so add 30% exchange rate.:uhoh2:
E46er
08/16/2015, 09:21 PM
To be perfectly frank about it, you're always going to get so-so reliability from DC direct-drive dosing pumps, particularly really cheap DC direct-drives.
Stepper motor pumps are where it's at from a reliability standpoint, but they're pricey. The only exception I've heard of here is the LiterMeter pumps from Spectrapure - they're dang near bulletproof. For two channels, you'd need the Litermeter III precision dosing module and one additional "remote" pump; total is about $370 direct from Spectrapure.
The Neptune DOS pumps are stepper motor drives, and 2 channels will set you back $350, but it will only work in conjunction with a Neptune Apex.
Otherwise, you can get Vertex or GHL Profilux with steppers, but those will set you back in the $600 range (for 3 channels and integrated controller).
Edit: Correction, the GHL Profilux Doser 2 with 3 channels, Wi-Fi control and stepper motors is $399, which is a pretty good deal if you think about it.
dont I need the profilux controller for this unit?
dkeller_nc
08/16/2015, 09:44 PM
I don't think so - it's a stand-alone. Aqua-cave sells them, you can probably call them and get more information. Dennis (d2mini on RC) is a big Profilux user - you could probably PM him and get his thoughts on the unit.
pstank1
08/16/2015, 10:59 PM
I have a reefkeeper controller but from what i gather It only can do the DA dosing pumps which I dont hear much about and at $100 each its not a cheap trial........ anyone use these?
I plug my bubble magus into an outlet and bypass my reefkeeper 2. That's the reason i bought one with a built in controller.
reef_aholic
08/16/2015, 11:07 PM
I have the 3 unit Kamoer dosing pump. It has been great, and you can order it online in Canada like I did and avoid the crazy import fees and exchange rate.
toky916
08/17/2015, 03:51 AM
I have the apex dos and I love it !
markalot
08/17/2015, 05:56 AM
I've used a Bubble magus for 2 years now and it's worked reliably enough for my needs. Heads and tubing is a wear and tear item and replacement parts easy enough to find.
I'm only doing course dosing, nothing requiring very small and accurate amounts.
n2585722
08/17/2015, 07:26 AM
I have a reefkeeper controller but from what i gather It only can do the DA dosing pumps which I dont hear much about and at $100 each its not a cheap trial........ anyone use these?
I have the DP1. I am currently using it for an ATO. The pump and container are in the garage. The tank is in one of the bedrooms. I have the tubing going up in the attic and down the wall then to the tank. I have had no issues. I have been using the ATO for about 9 months. I ordered a couple more to try auto water change. I have to wait for cooler weather to get in the attic though. It gets hot up there where I am this time of the year. FYI you can use other dosers if they can be turned on and off by a power outlet.
fraggin corals
08/17/2015, 01:45 PM
I have tried using the DP1 pumps. While I like my RKE, I am less then impressed with their dosing pumps. I have had to return four pumps to get one working. I am using it for top off, but I can say I would never trust the DP1 for two part dosing. BRS dosers work well for me and can be controlled via the ReefKeeper system.
ca1ore
08/17/2015, 02:39 PM
dont I need the profilux controller for this unit?
There is a stand alone Doser 2 unit that works ..... well, stand alone :lol: Recent firmware upgrade now allows it to control the slave unit as well. I did a lot of research when buying a doser and concluded the GHL was the best tradeoff for me between quality and cost. I've only been running it for about 7 months so cannot comment on long-term reliability. Should be able to offer some insight in about 5 years .....
Doser is not something I would skimp on personally.
+1 Jebao...
On our frag and display tanks :)
clar29
08/17/2015, 04:35 PM
I have a Bubble Magus and I never realised how far it was out until I switched from Balling lite to classic each channel is set to very different amounts in order to dose 180ml a day but having said that once each channel is set they will each dose exactly 15ml every 2 hours
BryanS4
08/17/2015, 04:38 PM
GHL for me. If not that route I'd look at Kamoer or BM.
SeargentSlice
08/17/2015, 05:12 PM
Spectrapure all the way for me now. BRS 1.1ml has been good to me as well dosing vinegar for many years. I won't touch and would never recommend the BRS 50ml peristaltic pump again. I've gone through several of them and each one failing the exact same way with the gears stripping and looks like I'm not the only one with that issue.
I had the 50ml fail same way after 11 months. My pair of 1.1ml for 2 part are about 2yrs old and still working fine. I know a fellow reefer that has bin using Bubble Magnus for over 2 yrs without issue.
E46er
08/18/2015, 08:11 AM
I think Im gonna order 2 of the BRS 1.1 after work and control them via my reefkeeper.
thanks for the insight guys!
steallife904
08/18/2015, 01:34 PM
i have read a few times that the BRS 1.1 dosers are not recommended for larger tanks... like tanks over 120 gal. Claim the low amount dosed will cause them to have to run long periods during the day wearing the pump out. Any truth to that? I am looking at the brs 1.1 for my 140 gal.
Also where can i get info on how to program my apex for the brs doser?
dkeller_nc
08/18/2015, 04:34 PM
i have read a few times that the BRS 1.1 dosers are not recommended for larger tanks... like tanks over 120 gal.
Yes, this is true. The reason is that the BRS pumps aren't rated for continuous duty, and like all dosing pumps based on inexpensive direct drive DC motors, they'll wear out and/or burn out after a certain number of hours. But even BRS will tell you this; they're intended for those that simply wouldn't purchase a dosing pump at a higher price point. They also fit well for an inexpensive frag tank since they can be run with simple timers.
Also where can i get info on how to program my apex for the brs doser?
The Apex manual has examples, and the Apex forum on Neptune's site is also quite helpful.
ArmanS
08/18/2015, 04:37 PM
If you have an Apex I would recommend the Neptune Dos, very simple to setup and works for dosing as well as Auto Water Change which is what I currently use one of my two Dos's for.
steallife904
08/18/2015, 07:00 PM
Which dower should i be looking at that will last/work for my 140 gal? Or is it the same for all dosers that they wear out if over used? How long do those typically last by the way?
Is it the same with the neptune dose, it will wear out fast? i have also heard the neptune dower is loud?
dkeller_nc
08/18/2015, 10:22 PM
At least in theory, both the GHL and Neptune dosers should easily outlast the others because they use stepper motor drives. These types of motors are considerably more rugged than inexpensive direct-drive dc motors. However, as with anything, there are other components in a dosing unit besides the motors that can fail, and both the GHL 2.0 and the Neptune D.O.S. are a bit too new to have established a track record.
trueperc
08/19/2015, 08:03 AM
Personally I am looking at the pacific sun kore 5th doser. It looks like a great product and good support. There is a huge thread on it. Also looking at the new kamoer f05x, kamoer has a great rep for being a solid doser, this new one is wifi, has 5 pumps with two of them being steppers. My only problem with the apex as I also planing an getting that, is for the cost you only get two pumps, with spending a little more money you can get so much more. I am personally looking at needing 3 dosers and would like to do a awc as well.
dkeller_nc
08/19/2015, 08:21 AM
One thing you do get for $$ with the Neptune D.O.S. is reversibility - so far as I know, that's unique in dosing pump design. The reversibility allows, for example, using one channel and switching valve to do water changes. Scott Leif (Sleif) uses the reversing function to use one channel as a refrigerated food doser.
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