Apex or dosing pump?

shornik · Mar 4, 2016

Well it's come to the point where my Kalk water isn't enough to maintain my Alk and Ca in my 60 gallon tank. And my daily dosing of Alk isn't keeping up with the needs of the corals + I sometimes forget.

So I really need to start dosing 2-part and wanted to ask everyone's collective expertise. What additional benefits would I get from dropping $'s on the Apex vs. getting a decent dosing pump?

As usual thanks in advance for your opinions.

Jimbo662 · Mar 7, 2016

With the DOS you create an interval, set the length of time and amount to dose during that duration. I was dosing alk and cal with it and decided I wanted to automatically dose mag so it bought 3 BRS dose pumps and set the DOS up to do daily water changes.

Kungpaoshizi · Mar 7, 2016

Goto the Neptune forums, and check out the number of problems the DOS has.
I know I've seen more than a few talking about 'help my dos dumped in all my whatever'. Or 'dos still dosing after set to off'.
One of the reasons I ditched the Apex is because it's not as good as it used to be. Things seem to be rushed now, just so you have to pay 300$ per attachment/expansion.

Get BRS Drew's dosers, simple on/off controllable by timer (I use Reef Angel now) and it has 4 rollers. 100 bones a piece.

Or check out other dosers. Anything but the Apex bro. I would highly suggest the drew's though because it's simplicity and effectiveness is unrivaled.

djbetterly · Mar 7, 2016

I had a DOS, and I will say its very easy to use and its incredibly accurate...however, its quite loud and its very over priced. I ended up selling it, but mostly because I moved over to the Triton system and needed four pump heads. I bought a Jebao doser and swapped out the the pumps for high quality Welco pumps and I couldn't be happier.

Also, if you have any ability to build things, you can build your own Drew's for a bit less. In my previous tank I built my own two head pump system with the exact pumps the drew's doser uses.

The one pump system I've always wanted, but it drives me nuts that they only have three pump heads, is the Vertex Libra. The libra uses the same Japanese Welco pumps I swapped my Jebao with. I've heard a lot of good things about the Libra but never used one.

-Logzor · Mar 7, 2016

You could buy a used Litermeter setup on the forums. You need the base unit and one remote module.

The Litermeter pumps have a 5 year warranty, I've been running mine for 8 years. They spread out the dose throughout the day. Very easy to calibrate and set with no dependence on an outside controller (more failure points).

The Litermeter pumps are bulletproof. They are also very simple devices, no complex code with a web-server interface. This means less error and bugs and less risk to your aquarium.

Waters · Mar 7, 2016

The Apex Dos is very accurate, reliable, and extremely easy to set up using ApexFusion. You are also able to perform checks against it (for example, IF PH>8.3 THEN "shut off your ALk") which makes it pretty fool proof as long as it is set up properly.

reefwiser · Mar 7, 2016

If you don't want to do a lot of remote monitoring of your tank a good programmable doser will do the job. Several choices I use the GHL doser it is quite and accurate and can be programed from a smart phone. They have stepper motors and you can dose down to 0.1 ml

revhtree · Mar 7, 2016

I have used a calcium reactor as well as other dosing pumps but IMO it's HARD to beat the Apex DOS system. It is so easy to set up and understand. Hands down my favorite.

Kungpaoshizi · Mar 7, 2016

djbetterly · Mar 7, 2016

Also, for what its worth, the stepper motor pumps that they use in the DOS are not the highest of quality pumps. I researched them a bit just to see where they came from and how much they sold for. If I remember right, one could pick up a set of the motors for under $100. The Welco pumps used by Vertex are made to order in Japan and are quite expensive, probably $80-100 each if not buying in quantity.

Waters · Mar 7, 2016

Kungpaoshizi said:
Here ya go, this is what I was talking about. That's only going back to October on a couple on the first 2 pages of the forum for the DOS. There's 17 pages and 413 threads.
When I thought about the DOS, I'm glad I did not get one. It would only take one of these scenarios to kill your tank given the right circumstances.
This is true of many things, and many pieces of hardware, but to say the DOS is perfect isn't exactly correct.
I would suggest if you're looking into the DOS go read their forums first to see what problems might happen since they obviously don't test very well before releasing products.

https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?14134-Doser-Continues-Dosing-After-Set-to-OFF
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?11837-Cant-get-DOS-to-calibrate
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?14144-DOS-quit-woking
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?14112-Right-motor-froze-up
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?14032-My-DDR-is-not-sending-alerts-or-working
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?14013-Dosing-not-matching-programming
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13971-Cannot-Add-Interval-for-DOS-in-Fusion
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13794-Not-dosing-the-correct-amount
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13752-DDR-not-showing-up-in-Fusion
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?11516-Help-with-DOS-light-is-blinking-orange
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13235-DOS-pump-heads-not-spinning
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?11804-has-the-program-for-dOs-been-fixed
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?11965-DOS-system-KEEP-LOSING-DOSES
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13415-DOS-Problem-AUTO-Mode-bug
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13252-DOS-not-dossing-equal-amounts
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13154-DOS-program-issue
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13177-DOS-Shuts-off-system
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?12481-Missing-doses

I have not read through every one, but there were some bugs with the early firmware releases which have been corrected. The other issues are normally user, programming, or set up errors.

CuseReefer · Apr 27, 2016

Hmm now you have me worried about DOS, I just ordered one today since my Jebao screwed up my tank.

shornik · Apr 27, 2016

I've had the DOS for a few months now, granted not a long time, but have had no problems.

Jimbo662 · Apr 27, 2016

shornik said:
I've had the DOS for a few months now, granted not a long time, but have had no problems.

Same here...have had mine set up since last Septemberish and no issues. Remember most of what you read are usually the unhappy people that are having issues which is usually a very small percentage of owners.

Sabellafella · Apr 27, 2016

Kungpaoshizi said:
Here ya go, this is what I was talking about. That's only going back to October on a couple on the first 2 pages of the forum for the DOS. There's 17 pages and 413 threads.
When I thought about the DOS, I'm glad I did not get one. It would only take one of these scenarios to kill your tank given the right circumstances.
This is true of many things, and many pieces of hardware, but to say the DOS is perfect isn't exactly correct.
I would suggest if you're looking into the DOS go read their forums first to see what problems might happen since they obviously don't test very well before releasing products.

https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?14134-Doser-Continues-Dosing-After-Set-to-OFF
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?11837-Cant-get-DOS-to-calibrate
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?14144-DOS-quit-woking
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?14112-Right-motor-froze-up
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?14032-My-DDR-is-not-sending-alerts-or-working
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?14013-Dosing-not-matching-programming
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13971-Cannot-Add-Interval-for-DOS-in-Fusion
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13794-Not-dosing-the-correct-amount
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13752-DDR-not-showing-up-in-Fusion
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?11516-Help-with-DOS-light-is-blinking-orange
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13235-DOS-pump-heads-not-spinning
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?11804-has-the-program-for-dOs-been-fixed
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?11965-DOS-system-KEEP-LOSING-DOSES
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13415-DOS-Problem-AUTO-Mode-bug
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13252-DOS-not-dossing-equal-amounts
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13154-DOS-program-issue
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?13177-DOS-Shuts-off-system
https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?12481-Missing-doses

Wow good find, they changed all this with the recent firmware though.

Sabellafella · Apr 27, 2016

The dos imo is the best dosing pump ive ever owned, dosing is one of the top pieces of equipment to not skimp out in wether its research or price. Ive had the bubble mangas + ghl fail on me resulting in massive dieoffs. Only one that i still have is 2 old brs pumps and now the dos.

shornik said:
Well it's come to the point where my Kalk water isn't enough to maintain my Alk and Ca in my 60 gallon tank. And my daily dosing of Alk isn't keeping up with the needs of the corals + I sometimes forget.

So I really need to start dosing 2-part and wanted to ask everyone's collective expertise. What additional benefits would I get from dropping $'s on the Apex vs. getting a decent dosing pump?

As usual thanks in advance for your opinions.

You should buy both but if you have 1 choice, id get aj apex. You could always buy a few toms aqualifter pump and set it on a timer

ihavecrabs · Apr 27, 2016

I have an Apex unit that runs the timing/programs for my BRS dosing pumps. $80ea for the pumps and they work really well.

As for the issues with dosers not turning off, this is likely programming errors or not using the right Outlet. Don't use the TRIAC outlets for low wattage items such as Dosing or ATO pumps because sometimes they don't turn off! Only use the Relay outlets for these!

Mine have been running for 6 months without issues. Great controller and great dosing pumps!

CuseReefer · Apr 27, 2016

Jimbo662 said:
Same here...have had mine set up since last Septemberish and no issues. Remember most of what you read are usually the unhappy people that are having issues which is usually a very small percentage of owners.

Yeah that's what I figured. Comes friday, can't wait to try it out.