BRS Doser 50 ml/min quit
- Thread starter Capt_Cully
- Start date
jeremyjoslin
New member
I was just about to order a handful of these dosers this week. Thanks for the anecdote.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
The best choice IMHO are surplus Cole Parmers off eBay, but they're pricey and it can be confusing to know what you're getting because there are like eleventy million different models.
I have two of the 1.1ml per minute dosers running for a few months to add a little extra alk and calcium . Hope I don't run into the problem. They only run for for 2 30minute cycles per day. I was concerned when the instructions noted they are designed for non continuous use up to few hours at a time. Certainly the performance you are not getting is not acceptable by any reasonable measure. I'm interested to see how the issue is resolved and wont recommend or purchase any more of these peristaltic pumps in the meantime. I'm surprised I haven't seen a blow up on these in other forums.
The Spectrapure litermeter I got used for a good price has run contiuously 24/7 for over 5 yrs as a kalk doser drawing and pushing 18 to 20liters per day over 30 feet without issue but it's pricey. I've replaced the tubing once but the original was still in good shape.
The Spectrapure litermeter I got used for a good price has run contiuously 24/7 for over 5 yrs as a kalk doser drawing and pushing 18 to 20liters per day over 30 feet without issue but it's pricey. I've replaced the tubing once but the original was still in good shape.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
as anticipated! 
FWIW I run my BRS doser on 3 30 minute cycles after noting instructions that recommend not running for an extended length of time.
What's going on here, Mark?
FWIW I run my BRS doser on 3 30 minute cycles after noting instructions that recommend not running for an extended length of time.
What's going on here, Mark?
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
unbelievable
unbelievable
my topoff doser just died. ***. Mine is not that old.
Mark please LMK what happens.
unbelievable
my topoff doser just died. ***. Mine is not that old.
Mark please LMK what happens.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
Tom- I've always wanted a Litermeter but for topoff (only) they seem to be a very pricey choice.
this looks like a good alternative for topoff dosing
I think my BRS unit is still under warranty.
Man.. I can't believe the timing of all these things burning out!
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
fwiw
fwiw
the Aqua Medic SP 3000 peristaltic pump unit has horrible reviews
fwiw
the Aqua Medic SP 3000 peristaltic pump unit has horrible reviews
Terrible reports. haven't heard them anywhere before. Reviews have been positive I'll be watching the two 1.1ml per minute ones I'm using for a little extra calcium chloride and soda ash closely.
As for limewatr dosing I find it easier and more consistent in terms of alk and sg to dose it separate from a true ato.That is, a set amount very close to total top off needs is dosed daily from a still limewater reservoir (`18 liters for 600gallons of water in my case). Any shortfall which varies seasonally is made up with straight ro/di water to the sump or sometimes a little extra salt water if sg is slipping down a point or two due to salt creep, skimmer export, etc. I do this make up manually when I do my daily water changes but it could be easily automated.
Any good perstaltic pump or diaphram pump with the right timer can dose a preset daily amount and spread it out overteh course of 24 hours. . I was lucky to get my liter meter 3 for about $100 used but like new about 5 years ago. It's been great. A less pricey option might be a bubble magnus doser which works like the litermeter but is less costly or one of the the better models of used peri pumps on ebay with the addition of a $20 digital multi position timer.
I'm not familiar with the system you noted in your post but do trust the spectra pure pumps based on long term performance,ime with the liter meter 3..
As for limewatr dosing I find it easier and more consistent in terms of alk and sg to dose it separate from a true ato.That is, a set amount very close to total top off needs is dosed daily from a still limewater reservoir (`18 liters for 600gallons of water in my case). Any shortfall which varies seasonally is made up with straight ro/di water to the sump or sometimes a little extra salt water if sg is slipping down a point or two due to salt creep, skimmer export, etc. I do this make up manually when I do my daily water changes but it could be easily automated.
Any good perstaltic pump or diaphram pump with the right timer can dose a preset daily amount and spread it out overteh course of 24 hours. . I was lucky to get my liter meter 3 for about $100 used but like new about 5 years ago. It's been great. A less pricey option might be a bubble magnus doser which works like the litermeter but is less costly or one of the the better models of used peri pumps on ebay with the addition of a $20 digital multi position timer.
I'm not familiar with the system you noted in your post but do trust the spectra pure pumps based on long term performance,ime with the liter meter 3..
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
update
update
BRS is replacing my failed unit which is still under warranty.
I'm not a totally satisfied customer.
I would have preferred credit towards a Litermeter.
I'm relatively new at owning an ATO. Up until February 2012 I avoided them because they're prone to failure.
Thus... this thread is ironic.
update
BRS is replacing my failed unit which is still under warranty.
I'm not a totally satisfied customer.
I would have preferred credit towards a Litermeter.
I'm relatively new at owning an ATO. Up until February 2012 I avoided them because they're prone to failure.
Thus... this thread is ironic.
cardiffgiant
Active member
I'm almost more concerned that it failed in your setup. If I recall, you run yours on a timer, which should mean that it's very unlikely to be in a situation in which it would run for too long. That type of use is about as normal as it gets.
My units failure was different than what others have experienced. My ATO uses a float switch. When mine died, the center was free wheeling away and the peristaltic component wasn't turning. It must have run that way for a few hours before I noticed. While the failure with the perstaltic was my issue and not the motor burning out, my setup allowed the motor to keep going.
Like you, I'm not exactly comforted to have one piece of junk replaced by another.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
I've not given up. Emails are out. I'm not a happy camper 
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
before I return my unit
before I return my unit
I had to see what went wrong. It appears to be a gear failure rather than a motor failure. In any case, same result: dead doser.
BRS was happy to replace this thing because it's still under warranty.
Trying to get credit rather than an exchange is proving to be a struggle.
before I return my unit
I had to see what went wrong. It appears to be a gear failure rather than a motor failure. In any case, same result: dead doser.
BRS was happy to replace this thing because it's still under warranty.
Trying to get credit rather than an exchange is proving to be a struggle.
SkiFletch
New member
Btw, if anyone is looking for dosing pump alternatives, the pool industry uses metering diaphragm pumps for chlorine and acid dosing designed for constant-run, low-dose proportions not too dissimilar from what many of us aquarists use. They're pretty darned reliable too. Just another avenue if you can't find what you want. Hint: Ebay, just make sure you buy new, not used 
Last edited:
Capt_Cully
Active member
Got a model in mind Mike?
Capt_Cully
Active member
Fair resolution
Fair resolution
Ok, so here's the resolution. I took the tubing off and the internal tubing. It had juice but looks like the gears had stripped. I spoke with a tech @ BRS who said it was intended to be run under light head pressure and in short bursts (15-20) minutes. This is a stricter tolerance than recommended on the website.
"BRS Top Off Doser Specs
20 ft max head
50mL/min flow rate is ideal for most top off systems
Will not back siphon
Precision two roller design extends pump life
12 month tube life (at 4 hours of use per day)
12 month Bulk Reef Supply warranty on pump motor and head
Includes 17 ft of tubing, mounting bracket, and directions
BRS Top Off Dosers are intermittent duty pumps and not meant for continuous operation. We recommend on/off cycles under a few hours to maximize life span. This is a higher RPM motor than the BRS 2 Part Doser and may make a small amount of noise in operation but is much quieter than most dosing pumps in this flow rate range. Mounting the pump to the inside of a wooden stand will amplify sound."
They offered me a new one at 50% off, no shipping charges. $45 flat. I felt this was fair. The pump is one year outside of their one year warranty......even though its only been in service 6-8 months under very low head pressure (18" in, 30" out through air line tubing) and 2 hours per night.
It's my cheapest alternative currently and they were pleasant enough. I did reiterate that they should clarify those recommendations to say what they had verbalized over the phone about short bursts.
Fair resolution
Ok, so here's the resolution. I took the tubing off and the internal tubing. It had juice but looks like the gears had stripped. I spoke with a tech @ BRS who said it was intended to be run under light head pressure and in short bursts (15-20) minutes. This is a stricter tolerance than recommended on the website.
"BRS Top Off Doser Specs
20 ft max head
50mL/min flow rate is ideal for most top off systems
Will not back siphon
Precision two roller design extends pump life
12 month tube life (at 4 hours of use per day)
12 month Bulk Reef Supply warranty on pump motor and head
Includes 17 ft of tubing, mounting bracket, and directions
BRS Top Off Dosers are intermittent duty pumps and not meant for continuous operation. We recommend on/off cycles under a few hours to maximize life span. This is a higher RPM motor than the BRS 2 Part Doser and may make a small amount of noise in operation but is much quieter than most dosing pumps in this flow rate range. Mounting the pump to the inside of a wooden stand will amplify sound."
They offered me a new one at 50% off, no shipping charges. $45 flat. I felt this was fair. The pump is one year outside of their one year warranty......even though its only been in service 6-8 months under very low head pressure (18" in, 30" out through air line tubing) and 2 hours per night.
It's my cheapest alternative currently and they were pleasant enough. I did reiterate that they should clarify those recommendations to say what they had verbalized over the phone about short bursts.
Capt_Cully
Active member
Ultimately my own post mortem half a$$ed attempt at an RCA revealed cheapo stripped plastic gears. Can anyone recommend a solution to repair, replace, gears or motor? I've got to believe getting one that fits might prove to be a headache.
Flippers4pups
Home made abyss
I use a medical peristalltic pump and its been running for years. Just tubing replacements. They are, for the most part, rock solid. Hobby pumps for this are just cheap and not worth the money spent. EBay is a good place to find a medical grade one, yes more money, but worth every dime!
