2-part dosing pump for a nano tank options?

[wrasse hole]

I've been hand dosing my 20g nano for the past couple months, but with a vacation coming up in the next couple weeks I'm forced to find a dosing pump.

I've already done some research, and it looks like the GHL 2.1 SA would be my best option, especially since my dosing amount is very small (3.5 ml/day), but I'm not sure if I can justify spending $400 on my system right now.

I've also considered a pair of Kamoer X1s at $120 total, but they have the issue of losing programming with power outages which turns me off.

The BRS dosing pumps could also work, but then I'd need a digital timer which I'm also unsure about.

What other pumps am I missing? If you have any opinions on any of these pumps or on something else that would work for my application, please share!

 

[Daniel92481]

How about Bubble Magus? I’ve read good things about them. Not too expensive either.

 

[jordan10]

I just bought a check 2 head doser off Amazon for 50 bucks. I plugged in programed it unplugged and the next day everything was a ok incase power outage. But I know you get what u pay for

 

[C. Eymann]

A couple weeks? whatever you choose better choose fast and set it up asap so you can at least have a week with it to dial it in and "trust it".

Just my .02

 

[Garbage_Island]

I would not feel comfortable setting up anything major like a doser without having a few weeks for you to monitor it.
Depending on what you keep and how long your vacation is, you may be able to go without dosing at all or having someone stop in every other day.

 

[Ly78]

You can use only 1 of the komoerx1 and dose something like tropic marin all for reef. Ive read about it not reconnecting with power outages, but if power outage occur i think dosing is least of your worries.

 

[C. Eymann]

You can use only 1 of the komoerx1 and dose something like tropic marin all for reef. Ive read about it not reconnecting with power outages, but if power outage occur i think dosing is least of your worries.

Switching anything, supplements esp is not wise before you leave.
I agree with Garbage_island, I would not feel comfortable just adding a doser and leaving a few days later, I'd need at least a week of smooth hands free operation (trust) in something like that if I'm leaving for vacay.

 

[link81]

agree with the above, as far as not setting up anything right before vacation,
however, having said that, i think the BRS 1.1/s and a timer are about as simple as you're going to get.
could even use 2 timers for each pump if you're worried about a timer "sticking" on.

 

[fcmatt]

I am also researching this. The advantage of paying up for ghl is if you ever buy their controller.

 

[wrasse hole]

I would not feel comfortable setting up anything major like a doser without having a few weeks for you to monitor it.
Depending on what you keep and how long your vacation is, you may be able to go without dosing at all or having someone stop in every other day.

I'm dosing 3-4 ml/day which is about 0.4 dkh/day. That would be around a 1.6 dkh drop over the 4 day vacation which I'd like to avoid for my acropora's sake. Maybe i'll pre-portion some 2-part in little pill bottles and get someone to dose for me.

 

[wrasse hole]

agree with the above, as far as not setting up anything right before vacation,
however, having said that, i think the BRS 1.1/s and a timer are about as simple as you're going to get.
could even use 2 timers for each pump if you're worried about a timer "sticking" on.

How reliable are these digital timers though? Does anyone have experience using one or have any recommendations?

 

[link81]

probably within a min or so, maybe the digital are better. have to get one from wally world and test it out.

can also mix up the 2 part 50/50 with some DI, that will double your dose times/ammounts and make any inaccuracy less harmful.

this one says 1 sec accuracy.... i'm sure its the best china has to offer... lol

 

[fcmatt]

If I was you I would raise alk up a bit higher then normal slowly... go on vacation.. and then raise back up slowly. Not by much tho. Just a bit higher.

This allows a gradual wind down of alk and when u get back u raise less.

I would not add a doser... before a vacation. Lol. My luck would be disaster

 

[wrasse hole]

If I was you I would raise alk up a bit higher then normal slowly... go on vacation.. and then raise back up slowly. Not by much tho. Just a bit higher.

This allows a gradual wind down of alk and when u get back u raise less.

I would not add a doser... before a vacation. Lol. My luck would be disaster

I'm leaning towards biting the bullet and getting the GHL. If I'm not comfortable with the doser before I leave, i'll probably do this, but I think I can figure things out during these next couple weeks.

I can also only put enough 2-part for the 4 days into the dosing containers, that way only a maximum of 16 ml would be dosed into the tank in the worst case. That would cause a 1.6 dkh swing which hopefully wouldn't nuke my tank...

 

[Garbage_Island]

Ahh, I didn't realize you were keeping SPS.
Were it me, I would have someone dose for me. It's as simple as measuring liquid medication which most people are familiar with (especially if they've had kids).

The idea of only putting enough 2-part in the dosing container sounds like a good idea in theory? Full disclosure: I have no experience with dosing pumps or aquarium controllers. I have trust issues with automation from multiple ATO's failing me.

 

[Nick30G]

I use a Coral Box Dosing pump from here https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/coral-box-wifi-dosing-pump/ on my 40g. I dose 23ml a day and it doses 8x a day at 2.8ml per 3 hours. It is very accurate since I setup it up (1 year ago) and have not had any issues with it. And its very affordable as well.