Automated dosing

[Alex_star]

I have a question that's been on my mind lately regarding automated dosing and the Neptune Apex system. Your guidance would mean a lot. I've been using the Neptune DOS and Trident for my reef tank, and I'm debating between 'All for Reef' and the Bulk Reef Supply (BRS) 2-Part Dosing Kit for major trace element dosing.

I understand that both can work with the Neptune system, but I'm wondering about the compatibility with the automation mode that adjusts the dosage of each major trace element. Would 'All for Reef, being a one-part solution, be as effective as the two-part solution from BRS for this automated mode?

 

[((FORDTECH))]

I have a question that's been on my mind lately regarding automated dosing and the Neptune Apex system. Your guidance would mean a lot. I've been using the Neptune DOS and Trident for my reef tank, and I'm debating between 'All for Reef' and the Bulk Reef Supply (BRS) 2-Part Dosing Kit for major trace element dosing.

I understand that both can work with the Neptune system, but I'm wondering about the compatibility with the automation mode that adjusts the dosage of each major trace element. Would 'All for Reef, being a one-part solution, be as effective as the two-part solution from BRS for this automated mode?

Even tho it is a feature many people like myself to not use it and do not trust it. I prefer to just use trident as a tester and then adjust my dos myself when needed. I e had trident mess up to many times to allow it to control my dosing

 

[Coolcasino]

The BRS 2 part will need to have the traces added to it. Both will supply your ALK and CAL needs. AFR beeing more complete. Both will work with Neptunes controlled dosing. You just need to program the ALK part with AFR.

 

[hexcolor reef]

I have a question that's been on my mind lately regarding automated dosing and the Neptune Apex system. Your guidance would mean a lot. I've been using the Neptune DOS and Trident for my reef tank, and I'm debating between 'All for Reef' and the Bulk Reef Supply (BRS) 2-Part Dosing Kit for major trace element dosing.

I understand that both can work with the Neptune system, but I'm wondering about the compatibility with the automation mode that adjusts the dosage of each major trace element. Would 'All for Reef, being a one-part solution, be as effective as the two-part solution from BRS for this automated mode?

All for Reef is the best. It will balance out Ca,KH,Mg all at once just make sure before using it the Alk in your tank is below 10kh.

 

[Alex_star]

"I'm considering the Bulk Reef Supply (BRS) option, primarily for dosing calcium and alkalinity since I have just one Neptune DOS. I've been thinking about manually dosing magnesium since it's needed less frequently to ensure precision in maintaining all three major trace elements.


On the other hand, if I opt for 'All for Reef' instead of the two-part dosing method, I plan to use the single dosing pump head for 'All for Reef' to streamline the dosing of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium.


Meanwhile, I'll dedicate the other dosing pump head for coral food like Red Sea Reef Energy.


In terms of which dosing solution kit is better, l'd appreciate your insights to make the most informed choice. This setup allows me to maintain excellent control over major elements while also nourishing my corals effectively."

 

[Coolcasino]

If you have a small tank with not a lot of demanding corals I would go with AFR. If anything over 75g full of corals I would go with the 2 part and add Tropic Marins A & K for your traces and manually dose Mag as needed.

 

[Alex_star]

I'm particularly interested in the Bulk Reef Supply option because it allows me to have more control compared to a one-part solution. The Bulk Reef Supply option is essentially a three-part dosing system, offering precise dosing for calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium.
However, I'm also debating the 'All for Reef' option because it includes minor trace elements in addition to the major ones. This comprehensive approach piques my interest and I'm weighing the pros and cons carefully.

I’ll really appreciate your insights thank you very much!

 

[slingfox]

If you have a small tank with not a lot of demanding corals I would go with AFR. If anything over 75g full of corals I would go with the 2 part and add Tropic Marins A & K for your traces and manually dose Mag as needed.

This is the route I have gone with my new tank. 2 part with each on a separate doser. Magnesium hand dosed once a week if needed. Hand dose of trace elements once a week. I don't have much coral yet. If needed I will put more additives on dosers since I only have 2 of 4 dosing heads running right now. I have my doser running independently of my Hydros controller.

I considered All 4 Reef but I knew it was not going to be the long run solution due to cost. Since I am planning to go with an SPS dominant tank on a 140 gallon system.

 

[Someshmuk]

I have a question that's been on my mind lately regarding automated dosing and the Neptune Apex system. Your guidance would mean a lot. I've been using the Neptune DOS and Trident for my reef tank, and I'm debating between 'All for Reef' and the Bulk Reef Supply (BRS) 2-Part Dosing Kit for major trace element dosing.

I understand that both can work with the Neptune system, but I'm wondering about the compatibility with the automation mode that adjusts the dosage of each major trace element. Would 'All for Reef, being a one-part solution, be as effective as the two-part solution from BRS for this automated mode?

Yes all for reef will work as a replacement for 2 part.

In regards to a more important point, refer to this for the limitations. Most people use trident results as a canary and not as their control.

Even tho it is a feature many people like myself to not use it and do not trust it. I prefer to just use trident as a tester and then adjust my dos myself when needed. I e had trident mess up to many times to allow it to control my dosing

Theoretically, a solution like that would work but would require redundencies and failsafes.

1. Measure and verify your daily intake using a manual test.
2. Be diligent in revalidate that your trident is accurate every X days/weeks.
3. Your delta on dosing cannot exceed a daily threshold. (+/- 5 ml or some arbitrary number)
4. You have an alarm or indicator when your weekly/monthly delta is past your measured daily intake threshold (it'd be suspicious if your tank was consuming double the alkalinity from the week before, reef tanks don't move THAT fast)
5. Validate constantly till you get consistent results.

Truth be told, im not sure if Apex programming has this level of flexibility in the coding so YMMV.

FWIW, I full-heartedly support any effort in making this hobby less mentally/physically/monetarily taxing, but the risk of wiping out your tank is really high on this kind of system.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm definitely NOT a fan of AFR on an automated dosing system. It has the potential to get into a situation where it keeps on dosing and dosing because AFR does not show detectable alk right away, but the system does not know that and keeps trying to get the alk up.

 

[JvC]

I am a fan of TM. I dose the TM 3 part and add trace K to the part A and trace A to the part B. (50 ml per 1000 ml). Previously I tried AFR but my params got out of whack.

When dosing 3 parts TM, always dose either A and C or B and C at the same rate - matching the greater of A or B. In other words, C dosing needs to equal the larger of A or B.

To raise magnesium, you can NOT just dose more part C. You must use bio-magnesium to raise C - if to do so you would need to dose C in excess of the greater of A or B.

I have found with a smaller tank you can get away with the AFR. And water changes will keep the ABC in balance. But in a larger system you need the control of each, A, B, and C individually.

I use 3 dos heads, and control the dosing manually. It is a 400 gallon system, so swings are minimized.

Let me know if this is not the correct method, but it has worked for me so far.

Thanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I am a fan of TM. I dose the TM 3 part and add trace K to the part A and trace A to the part B. (50 ml per 1000 ml). Previously I tried AFR but my params got out of whack.

When dosing 3 parts TM, always dose either A and C or B and C at the same rate - matching the greater of A or B. In other words, C dosing needs to equal the larger of A or B.

To raise magnesium, you can NOT just dose more part C. You must use bio-magnesium to raise C - if to do so you would need to dose C in excess of the greater of A or B.


Let me know if this is not the correct method, but it has worked for me so far.

The TM Balling method is a fine one.

My recommended DIY is to make the calcium and alk parts yourself, and use TM Balling Part C for the third part.

 

[Pistondog]

Afr will probably require a weekly balance dose of one of the big 3, alk-Ca-Mag. Your tank will likely not consume them in the afr ratios.
Not a big deal , but not good for auto compensation.