Dosing: Controlled via Apex vs Standalone Units

thejoshdavis · Jul 24, 2014

Looking into getting some dosing pumps for the tanks and wanted to get a vote on who does what and why.

I know that there are some issues with the Apex EB8s and only using the relay outlets, I saw this while testing an Aqualifter for a calcium reactor. I have 2 EB8s so that shouldnt be an issue. Let's see what you all do and some information as to why you went that route.

pickupman66 · Jul 24, 2014

While I have no reason to start dozing in my new tank as I have no SPS corals I know I will be getting back into them and have been considering purchasing a stand-alone.. So I will be following along with this conversation as well.

thejoshdavis · Jul 24, 2014

Major reasoning behind this is because our pals at Jebao have released their own 4 head standalone doser. I'm very very tempted to get one and just control the power of it off the Apex. The price is great compared to what 4 single dosers would run you.

pickupman66 · Jul 24, 2014

Yup. Looking at that one too..
Granted no apex but I could do with my rke.

My concern would be boot time and such

thejoshdavis · Jul 25, 2014

I may just buy one and see how it is. It's hard to beat the price.

pickupman66 · Jul 25, 2014

if you do, please let me know how you like it. from the video it looks very nice and easy to operate.

Dowtish · Jul 25, 2014

For dosing 2 part through BRS 1.1ml dosing pumps and a 50ml dsoing pump for my kalk stirrer, there has been nothing better than having it hooked to my APEX. Any adjustment has been super easy down to the ml with just a change in the OSC code.

Using reeftronics.net you can use the OSC calculator and it makes it a breeze.

NeveSSL · Jul 26, 2014

Great point about the OSC calculator, Chris. I didn't know that existed.

Are you pushing your top off through you kalk reactor? Or just a set amount of water each day?

Brandon

YodaHart · Jul 26, 2014

thejoshdavis said:
Major reasoning behind this is because our pals at Jebao have released their own 4 head standalone doser. I'm very very tempted to get one and just control the power of it off the Apex. The price is great compared to what 4 single dosers would run you.

There would be need to control it from the apex unless you want a failsafe backup if the ph gets too high. The jebao unit has a built-in controller.

thejoshdavis · Jul 26, 2014

YodaHart said:
There would be need to control it from the apex unless you want a failsafe backup if the ph gets too high. The jebao unit has a built-in controller.

Yeah I realize that. I would have it configured on the apex.

Dowtish · Jul 26, 2014

NeveSSL said:
Great point about the OSC calculator, Chris. I didn't know that existed.

Are you pushing your top off through you kalk reactor? Or just a set amount of water each day?

Brandon

I use the calculator and use the water from ATO tank.

NeveSSL · Jul 26, 2014

So a set amount?

Brandon

Dowtish · Jul 27, 2014

NeveSSL said:
So a set amount?

Brandon

Yes, it is currently set to 3200ml dosing at twice through 24 hours.

ToXIc · Jul 27, 2014

Josh why do you have the Aqualifter on the apex? It suppose to feed the CalRx 24/7.

I chose brs dosing pumps over a standalone unit. But I use them to dose trace elements from RedSea

Just like Chris said I use the calculator also it's great. Although I'll probably never have the need to change the OSC command I still like the fact that I can do it trough my Apex web interface instead of having to push buttons on a standalone.

Having to use them on the relay ports is a drawback tho.

thejoshdavis · Jul 28, 2014

ToXIc said:
Josh why do you have the Aqualifter on the apex? It suppose to feed the CalRx 24/7.

I chose brs dosing pumps over a standalone unit. But I use them to dose trace elements from RedSea

Just like Chris said I use the calculator also it's great. Although I'll probably never have the need to change the OSC command I still like the fact that I can do it trough my Apex web interface instead of having to push buttons on a standalone.

Having to use them on the relay ports is a drawback tho.

Yeah the Aqualifter feeds the CaRX. I'll probably combine the Aqualifter and the Eheim pump to a single outlet. Hard to believe I'm maxed out on 2 EB8s right now.