Does Alkatronic make corrections to alk or do i need dosetronic aswell?

[PegasisR]

Do i need dosetronic?

 

[GoVols]

Do i need dosetronic?

Yes,
The Alkatronic can dose alk, with it's own alk dedicated pump, but it's not meant to be your main dosing pump.

 

[MentalNote]

To expand a little onto GoVols:

Alkatronic:
- You run dosers or calcium reactor.
- Alkatronic will test your alkalinity.
- If alkalinity is low, Alkatronic will add alkalinity to your system with its own dosing pump.
- If alkalinity is high, Alkatronic can turn off an outlet such as your calcium reactor or alkalinity dosing pump. Then, when Alkatronic re-tests and finds the alkalinity within you acceptable parameters, it will turn the outlet back on.

Alkatronic/Dosetronic:
- Dosetronic controls your 2 part - for me that is Triton (4 components)
- Dosetronic executes the dosing schedule, with Alkatronic refining the schedule.
- Alkatronic test my water every 4 hours (you setup between every 2 to 12 hours)
- If alkalinity is low (tested with Alkatronic), the Dosetronic will add additional Triton. The system pauses 5 minutes between each component.
- If alkalinity is high (tested with Alkatronic), the Dosetronic will stop all components from dosing. Then, when Alkatronic re-tests and finds the alkalinity within you acceptable parameters, Dosetronic will begin dosing again.
- At the end of every day, Dosetronic evaluates if you had to add or stop the dosing due to a high or low alkalinity reading. It then adjusts your next day dosing schedule to account for this. (Its a setting you can turn on or off called ODA or SDA - I always leave ODA on)

I hope that made sense. I've been in this hobby for about 10 years and used the Alkatronic for over 2 years and the Dosetronic for the past year. The only items I value more than this are my ATO and controller. Yes, the two are expensive, but for some reason I really like SPS corals and the stability afforded by this setup has been the single biggest contributor my tank looking good.

The company is currently working on the Mastertronic. That will test nitrate and phosphate as well as other stuff. As someone who recently bottomed these out, likely due to over generous Vibrant usage, I can't wait for this next iteration. But take it slow, it's not a cheap ecosphere.

Here is my latest chart:

 

[PegasisR]

To expand a little onto GoVols:

Alkatronic:
- You run dosers or calcium reactor.
- Alkatronic will test your alkalinity.
- If alkalinity is low, Alkatronic will add alkalinity to your system with its own dosing pump.
- If alkalinity is high, Alkatronic can turn off an outlet such as your calcium reactor or alkalinity dosing pump. Then, when Alkatronic re-tests and finds the alkalinity within you acceptable parameters, it will turn the outlet back on.

Alkatronic/Dosetronic:
- Dosetronic controls your 2 part - for me that is Triton (4 components)
- Dosetronic executes the dosing schedule, with Alkatronic refining the schedule.
- Alkatronic test my water every 4 hours (you setup between every 2 to 12 hours)
- If alkalinity is low (tested with Alkatronic), the Dosetronic will add additional Triton. The system pauses 5 minutes between each component.
- If alkalinity is high (tested with Alkatronic), the Dosetronic will stop all components from dosing. Then, when Alkatronic re-tests and finds the alkalinity within you acceptable parameters, Dosetronic will begin dosing again.
- At the end of every day, Dosetronic evaluates if you had to add or stop the dosing due to a high or low alkalinity reading. It then adjusts your next day dosing schedule to account for this. (Its a setting you can turn on or off called ODA or SDA - I always leave ODA on)

I hope that made sense. I've been in this hobby for about 10 years and used the Alkatronic for over 2 years and the Dosetronic for the past year. The only items I value more than this are my ATO and controller. Yes, the two are expensive, but for some reason I really like SPS corals and the stability afforded by this setup has been the single biggest contributor my tank looking good.

The company is currently working on the Mastertronic. That will test nitrate and phosphate as well as other stuff. As someone who recently bottomed these out, likely due to over generous Vibrant usage, I can't wait for this next iteration. But take it slow, it's not a cheap ecosphere.

Here is my latest chart:

Thank you for the wonderful info but one more question... Say i have X amount in ML dosed which happens to be either too high or low. Does the dosetronic and alkatronic work in tandem to fix that itself?

 

[MentalNote]

PegasisR,

Yes (if I understand your question right.)

I have my tank Alkalinity range set to High: 9.1dKH, Low: 8.7dKH.

If I dose too much and alkalinity test above 9.1dKH, the Alkatronic will stop Dosetronic from dosing all elements. The Alkatronic will then begin retesting every 2 hours until the dKH falls below 9.1 and then will resume the dosing schedule. That night, the program will refine the dosing schedule to reduce the dose that put it over 9.1.

If I dose too little and alkalinity test below 8.7dKH, the Alkatronic will have Dosetronic add an extra dose of all elements (each 5 minutes apart to avoid precipitation). This is an equation based on the water volume and how low you are from your bottom range. Again, that night the program will refine your schedule to dose a little bit more.

Today's Schedule
Perhaps an example will help. Below is my dosing schedule. Today, I will dose 25.7ml of each Triton component.

Here is my Dosetronic Schedule for one component:
01:05 - 2.40 ml
07:05 - 2.63 ml
09:05 - 1.71 ml
11:05 - 1.51 ml
13:05 - 0.85 ml
14:05 - 3.51 ml
16:05 - 3.04 ml
17:05 - 4.05 ml
19:05 - 1.91 ml
20:05 - 1.46 ml
22:05 - 2.59 ml

As you can see with the odd dosing quantities, I didn't program these set points but the two machines working together refined the quantity. Again, this is just today. Tomorrow i'm sure my schedule will be a little different.

One observation that has really surprised me is how much my alkalinity consumption varies based on time of day or even feeding. I also have a CO2 scrubber to add to my system, I'm curious how my consumption will change with that addition... I just need to get rid of my orange cap monti's first. No way do I want them to grow any faster.

 

[PegasisR]

PegasisR,

Yes (if I understand your question right.)

I have my tank Alkalinity range set to High: 9.1dKH, Low: 8.7dKH.

If I dose too much and alkalinity test above 9.1dKH, the Alkatronic will stop Dosetronic from dosing all elements. The Alkatronic will then begin retesting every 2 hours until the dKH falls below 9.1 and then will resume the dosing schedule. That night, the program will refine the dosing schedule to reduce the dose that put it over 9.1.

If I dose too little and alkalinity test below 8.7dKH, the Alkatronic will have Dosetronic add an extra dose of all elements (each 5 minutes apart to avoid precipitation). This is an equation based on the water volume and how low you are from your bottom range. Again, that night the program will refine your schedule to dose a little bit more.

Today's Schedule
Perhaps an example will help. Below is my dosing schedule. Today, I will dose 25.7ml of each Triton component.

Here is my Dosetronic Schedule for one component:
01:05 - 2.40 ml
07:05 - 2.63 ml
09:05 - 1.71 ml
11:05 - 1.51 ml
13:05 - 0.85 ml
14:05 - 3.51 ml
16:05 - 3.04 ml
17:05 - 4.05 ml
19:05 - 1.91 ml
20:05 - 1.46 ml
22:05 - 2.59 ml

As you can see with the odd dosing quantities, I didn't program these set points but the two machines working together refined the quantity. Again, this is just today. Tomorrow i'm sure my schedule will be a little different.

One observation that has really surprised me is how much my alkalinity consumption varies based on time of day or even feeding. I also have a CO2 scrubber to add to my system, I'm curious how my consumption will change with that addition... I just need to get rid of my orange cap monti's first. No way do I want them to grow any faster.

That answers it for me Last question, so since the next day of dosing will be different depending on consumption... will the two work together to change the ml? As you said... you dosed 25.7ml today but tomorrow based on tests, the two would change it to lets say 20ml based on results from the testing?

 

[MentalNote]

Yep, that's correct. The two will systems will automatically change tomorrow's dose. I don't have to do any input. My only job is to make sure the regent container isn't empty (1 gallon, lasts about 2 months, testing every 4 hours).

 

[PegasisR]

Yep, that's correct. The two will systems will automatically change tomorrow's dose. I don't have to do any input. My only job is to make sure the regent container isn't empty (1 gallon, lasts about 2 months, testing every 4 hours).

I'll get the set asap!

 

[PegasisR]

@GoVols how long has your alkatronic been running? Aswell has it been consistent/accurate for the time it was used?

 

[GoVols]

@GoVols how long has your alkatronic been running? Aswell has it been consistent/accurate for the time it was used?

One year

It's baseline calibration is super nice function!!

Is been solid as a rock and it can dose alk without the Dosetronic

There's a new firmware update (feb. 2020) that will display your tank's ph before it test your alk, with other goodies too, but I have not taking it yet.

@mitch91175
Are you still in good shape with your Alkatronic?

 

[mitch91175]

One year

It's baseline calibration is super nice function!!

Is been solid as a rock and it can dose alk without the Dosetronic

There's a new firmware update (feb. 2020) that will display your tank's ph before it test your alk, with other goodies too, but I have not taking it yet.

@mitch91175
Are you still in good shape with your Alkatronic?

Yeah @GoVols still chugging along. Had a few mishaps but overall the unit itself keeps work with little maintenance. Cannot complain overall.

It's been over 2 years.

 

[GoVols]

Yeah @GoVols still chugging along. Had a few mishaps but overall the unit itself keeps work with little maintenance. Cannot complain overall.

It's been over 2 years.

Are you on the latest firmware, if you are, is it bug free?

 

[mitch91175]

Are you on the latest firmware, if you are, is it bug free?

Well I do believe there are bugs for sure, but nothing that is stopping the unit from working. I have issues connecting to it via BT and it stopped shutting down my CaRx if dKH is higher than range, but I've just been dealing with it since it's not the end of the world that the dKH gets slightly higher. It tells me that my consumption is lower than usual.

 

[GoVols]

Well I do believe there are bugs for sure, but nothing that is stopping the unit from working. I have issues connecting to it via BT and it stopped shutting down my CaRx if dKH is higher than range, but I've just been dealing with it since it's not the end of the world that the dKH gets slightly higher. It tells me that my consumption is lower than usual.

Thanks,
I'll just stay put (down graded) at this time.

 

[mitch91175]

Thanks,
I'll just stay put (down graded) at this time.

My unit has been through hell and back lol. I almost burned down the house (unplugging from the plug to the unit instead of the wall outlet).

It has been in for getting wet and still going. I added the Dosetronic and currently using it as a standalone doser for Red Sea and Calcium.

 

[GoVols]

My unit has been through hell and back lol. I almost burned down the house (unplugging from the plug to the unit instead of the wall outlet).

It has been in for getting wet and still going. I added the Dosetronic and currently using it as a standalone doser for Red Sea and Calcium.

lol
Just about burnt our town home down with water getting inside my ole Apex classic, a couple years back, it was toast.

I went on the Focustronic's users Facebook site the other day. Jonas had his Mastertronic nailing some ICP reports in cal and nitrates. Not buying one, but it's cool to watch.


I've got some more Reborn, but wanted to try the Tunze media. So far the Tunze is going smooth and still melting at a high ph. I was tuned in with Reborn melting at an ph of 7.0 / Tunze dialed in at a melting point of 6.8 ph.

Are you happy with your Dosetronic?

 

[mitch91175]

lol
Just about burnt our town home down with water getting inside my ole Apex classic, a couple years back, it was toast.

I went on the Focustronic's users Facebook site the other day. Jonas had his Mastertronic nailing some ICP reports in cal and nitrates. Not buying one, but it's cool to watch.


I've got some more Reborn, but wanted to try the Tunze media. So far the Tunze is going smooth and still melting at a high ph. I was tuned in with Reborn melting at an ph of 7.0 / Tunze dialed in at a melting point of 6.8 ph.

Are you happy with your Dosetronic?

Yeah so far the Dosetronic is fine. I had an issue when I first setup when activating Alkatronic mode that ended up dosing on all channels and not just the one I had activated. Haven't given it another shot to do the same so just have a manual schedule for calcium currently.

Also wish there was an interface that shows you the dosage history. It resets everyday so you have to check if it dosed appropriately manually. Also the notifications are kind of sporatic. Sometimes I receive them and other times I do not. Not trying to figure it out either. It should just work.

 

[GoVols]

Yeah so far the Dosetronic is fine. I had an issue when I first setup when activating Alkatronic mode that ended up dosing on all channels and not just the one I had activated. Haven't given it another shot to do the same so just have a manual schedule for calcium currently.

Also wish there was an interface that shows you the dosage history. It resets everyday so you have to check if it dosed appropriately manually. Also the notifications are kind of sporatic. Sometimes I receive them and other times I do not. Not trying to figure it out either. It should just work.

Mitch,
Thanks for the info.

If you every hang up your original Alka-T, we got to put that box in the hall of fame!!

 

[mitch91175]

Mitch,
Thanks for the info.

If you every hang up your original Alka-T, we got to put that box in the hall of fame!!

yeah I've had it for quite some time. Believe it was one of the first batches outside of the beta testers maybe. Serial # ends in 10, lol.

I am curious about the Mastertronic and what it'll have to offer. I'm dosing PO4/NO3 now so it could be useful in my situation. All depends on the opening price for the unit that'll decide if I get one or not.

Also contemplating upgrading my 240G to a 400G but dang they are expensive new at that size.

Looking to go 83x36x30 (so it'll have to be a custom tank to fit my area).

 

[gvalona]

So if I wanted to just buy the alkatronic. I would be able to dose alkalinity with it?, you guys said above that it can but the dosatronic can turn on or off automatically based on results. Im only asking because I run a balling method AF 123 with a jebao dp4 , I know it won't connect but I figure the alkatronic would correct the kh while I dose my 123 everyday.