What are some affordable but good dosers? With or without a way to program but I would prefer to be able to program my doser. Also, what is a good auto-top off?
Good dosers?
- Thread starter mallorieGgator
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ritter6788
Coral Fraud Private Eye
I use BRS dosing pumps controlled by my reefkeeper. So far I'm very happy with them. I'm also a fan of the JBJ ATO with a Aqualifter pump. The JBJ has a built in timer you can adjust so it won't run more than so many minutes before it shuts off in cause of float switch failure.
hollback
Well-Known Member
The Drew's Doser from BFS are nice and cheap but you would need a controller or timer with it.
As for the ATO. You can source the parts that autotopoff.com uses on their units on Mcmaster.com and build it yourself.
As for the ATO. You can source the parts that autotopoff.com uses on their units on Mcmaster.com and build it yourself.
mcarroll
10K Club member
Dosing Pumps
First a heads up. Make sure your dosing reservoir has not only a way to get the liquid out (duh) but also a way for air to get in to replace the liquid as it's being pumped out. If you don't have at least a breather hole (if not a completely open top) your dosing pump will eventually form a vacuum in the reservoir that's strong enough to resist the pump drawing more fluid out. At minimum this will mess up your dose rates, at most it will shut down your doser as stated. (Been there...didn't think I had sealed anything that well, but I also didn't make sure there was a breather hole in my bucket.)
The least expensive option and I think what I'd try first if you feel pretty budget-sensitive is one or a pair of Aqua Lifters. Combined with an airline control valve, it's a very good option, especially for the price - $11 at Aquarium Guys, shouldn't be more than $20 locallly. Depending on your budget and DIY skills, you can get motors+pump heads on eBay for <$25. Fully assembled pumps with rheostat (potentiometer? IANAElectrician.) go for around $40 there. These all appear to be triple-roller pump heads and back siphoning doesn't seem to be an issue. BRS and Buckeye Field Supply both have better quality pump heads (if only slightly...using four rollers), but otherwise about the same build as the eBay pumps and they go for about $80.
I've done all these options, so you're welcome to PM questions if you want.
With any of them, you're going to want a timer that can at least give you 1-minute resolution....control down to the second would be much better. It's a little budget-busting so you may have to space out the buys, but something like a Reefkeeper Light Basic package ($120) would be a really excellent purchase to go with auto-dosing. So, at minimum you'll have to be on the lookout for a digital timer, not analog, as they usually let you set times to the minute. For maximum economy, one timer combined with Aqua Lifters that are each individually tuned to your dosing quantities by their air-line valves is your best best, unless you want to DIY. If budget is no object, then you'll be good with any of these options, plus the (e.g.) Reefkeeper.
ATO
First another heads up - whatever you get do not rely on sucktion cups to mount your level sensor. Zip ties or magnets (or both) should be considered mandatory! (Almost anything but suction cups, in fact.)
On with the recommendations...
If you just want to buy and deploy, I'd recommend the Ultralife ATO kit. Similar components to other ATO's you see, but in my experience they seem to be better built. Mainly the water sensor seems to be "more waterproof" in my accidental "testing" over the years. That they are still among the less expensive of the pre-built options is just a bonus. About $70 or less. Aquarium Guys has this without the brand name....search for item# 217590. $64.
Depending a little on your setup, I would stay completely away from pressure-sensor-based ATO's. (I've seen these sold under the Spectrapure and Blueline Tsunami brands.)
You can save $20 bucks if you want to DIY, and typically you get a dual sensor setup. (Dual ensors is something you shouldn't need in most scenarios, but it doesn't hurt and does give you some additional deployment options. If you don't already think you'll need dual sensors, I wouldn't make it a mandatory feature.) There are many good options for DIY, but I like Aquahub.com personally. (They're a subsidiary of Chicago Sensor who makes a lot of the float switches sold in the US.) Their most basic kit should be more than adequate, but all their options are good. You will supply an extension cord as part of the deal.
Last, I would heartily recommend that you use the Aqua Lifter as your ATO pump. Nice low flow rate, easy and flexible to plumb due to use of airline tubing, very durable and inexpensive!
Good luck! Let me know if you have questions!
-Matt
First a heads up. Make sure your dosing reservoir has not only a way to get the liquid out (duh) but also a way for air to get in to replace the liquid as it's being pumped out. If you don't have at least a breather hole (if not a completely open top) your dosing pump will eventually form a vacuum in the reservoir that's strong enough to resist the pump drawing more fluid out. At minimum this will mess up your dose rates, at most it will shut down your doser as stated. (Been there...didn't think I had sealed anything that well, but I also didn't make sure there was a breather hole in my bucket.)
The least expensive option and I think what I'd try first if you feel pretty budget-sensitive is one or a pair of Aqua Lifters. Combined with an airline control valve, it's a very good option, especially for the price - $11 at Aquarium Guys, shouldn't be more than $20 locallly. Depending on your budget and DIY skills, you can get motors+pump heads on eBay for <$25. Fully assembled pumps with rheostat (potentiometer? IANAElectrician.) go for around $40 there. These all appear to be triple-roller pump heads and back siphoning doesn't seem to be an issue. BRS and Buckeye Field Supply both have better quality pump heads (if only slightly...using four rollers), but otherwise about the same build as the eBay pumps and they go for about $80.
I've done all these options, so you're welcome to PM questions if you want.
With any of them, you're going to want a timer that can at least give you 1-minute resolution....control down to the second would be much better. It's a little budget-busting so you may have to space out the buys, but something like a Reefkeeper Light Basic package ($120) would be a really excellent purchase to go with auto-dosing. So, at minimum you'll have to be on the lookout for a digital timer, not analog, as they usually let you set times to the minute. For maximum economy, one timer combined with Aqua Lifters that are each individually tuned to your dosing quantities by their air-line valves is your best best, unless you want to DIY. If budget is no object, then you'll be good with any of these options, plus the (e.g.) Reefkeeper.
ATO
First another heads up - whatever you get do not rely on sucktion cups to mount your level sensor. Zip ties or magnets (or both) should be considered mandatory! (Almost anything but suction cups, in fact.)
On with the recommendations...
If you just want to buy and deploy, I'd recommend the Ultralife ATO kit. Similar components to other ATO's you see, but in my experience they seem to be better built. Mainly the water sensor seems to be "more waterproof" in my accidental "testing" over the years. That they are still among the less expensive of the pre-built options is just a bonus. About $70 or less. Aquarium Guys has this without the brand name....search for item# 217590. $64.
Depending a little on your setup, I would stay completely away from pressure-sensor-based ATO's. (I've seen these sold under the Spectrapure and Blueline Tsunami brands.)
You can save $20 bucks if you want to DIY, and typically you get a dual sensor setup. (Dual ensors is something you shouldn't need in most scenarios, but it doesn't hurt and does give you some additional deployment options. If you don't already think you'll need dual sensors, I wouldn't make it a mandatory feature.) There are many good options for DIY, but I like Aquahub.com personally. (They're a subsidiary of Chicago Sensor who makes a lot of the float switches sold in the US.) Their most basic kit should be more than adequate, but all their options are good. You will supply an extension cord as part of the deal.
Last, I would heartily recommend that you use the Aqua Lifter as your ATO pump. Nice low flow rate, easy and flexible to plumb due to use of airline tubing, very durable and inexpensive!
Good luck! Let me know if you have questions!
-Matt
OP
OP
Thanks!
Matt- thanks for the write-up there! I will definitely be asking questions. I am not sure exactly what my budget will be but I know it will be fairly low for now. I will have to talk with the hubby to see what he wants to do.
Matt- thanks for the write-up there! I will definitely be asking questions. I am not sure exactly what my budget will be but I know it will be fairly low for now. I will have to talk with the hubby to see what he wants to do.
