Cheap dosing pump recommendations

[Ghost25]

I have a 30 gallon tank with a mix of LPS and SPS. I have been dosing CaCl2 and bicarbonate manually and I want to get a dosing pump to automate that.

Any recommendations on an all in one system for <$100? I'm looking at either the Marine Magic Triple dosing pump or the Jebao DP-3.

Any thoughts or recommendations? I understand you get what you pay for to some extent but a $400 dosing pump is simply not in my budget. Thanks.

 

[zachfishman]

I'd recommend looking for a used model from a reputable brand rather than buying a bargain doser. I too was looking at models like the Jebao, but after reading some horror stories (look at these 1 star Amazon reviews) of units failing and dumping their entire reservoirs into tanks, I'm staying away.

I don't mind if a pump fails and quits, but failing in the ON position... yikes.

 

[minus9]

There are plenty of things to go cheap on, this is not one of them. Do yourself a favor and save for the real deal. If you're planning on keeping your tank for the long haul, don't skimp on the dosing system. If you have an apex, you can get the DOS or better yet, GHL Doser 2. I just bought the GHL and it is super accurate.

 

[Ghost25]

There are plenty of things to go cheap on, this is not one of them. Do yourself a favor and save for the real deal. If you're planning on keeping your tank for the long haul, don't skimp on the dosing system. If you have an apex, you can get the DOS or better yet, GHL Doser 2. I just bought the GHL and it is super accurate.

I find it hard to believe there isn't an acceptable middle ground between a $70 Chinese pump and a $1400 set up.

 

[minus9]

GHL is $459 all day long and it's a stand alone doser with wifi and it's own app/web interface. They also make a 3 pump version for $399. I use to have two BRS dosing pumps (still have them) that I controlled with my apex. They did the job, but for a small system like mine, I couldn't afford any fluctuations is dosing amounts. For larger tanks, I think they would be okay. I have a 22g nano full of sps and I don't want to second guess how much my dosing pumps are dosing. Reliability and accuracy are paramount (to me). Just my two pennies.

 

[Shark.Bait]

Icecap makes some pretty decent dosing pumps. I believe they only sell them in stand alone units, but they can be daisy chained together and have magnets to connect with eachother. They're like $80

 

[minus9]

Here's my setup.

Here's a shot from a couple weeks ago before I moved some stuff around.

I spent more money on the GHL than I did on the tank and stand. With the BRS dosers, I was constantly chasing numbers and adjusting the dosing times. It took me a day to find the right amount with the GHL and it's been rock solid ever since. In fact, I can test any time of day or night and my parameters are spot on. My dKH is within 0.12dKH between dosing times. Sorry for going on, but I really like this dosing unit and only wished that I purchased it earlier. There are other pumps out there, but do your homework and consider the health and well being of your livestock.
Good Luck!

 

[Ghost25]

OK thanks for the advice. I'm thinking I'll try to find a solid used pump and if that fails I may go with the Icecap pump.

 

[ksc]

Your best bet is a couple of the BRS 1.1 ml dosers paired with a digital timer. I've been using the same ones for 6+ years and they are reliable and very accurate. I run them on the same timer, one into the display, one into the sump. I sincronized the rollers about a year ago and they are still exactly even. They usually go for $50-60 used and a timer is $15.

Maybe minus9 will give you his....

 

[Ghost25]

Your best bet is a couple of the BRS 1.1 ml dosers paired with a digital timer. I've been using the same ones for 6+ years and they are reliable and very accurate. I run them on the same timer, one into the display, one into the sump. I sincronized the rollers about a year ago and they are still exactly even. They usually go for $50-60 used and a timer is $15.

Maybe minus9 will give you his....

Cool I'll look into those. What timer do you use?

 

[billdogg]

I use the BRS 1.1's as well. Although I have them on separate timers, the cost is still way less than most. The timers are just simple digital lamp timers from HD/Lowes that allow you to set them in 1 minute increments.

FWIW - I had a MarineMagic triple doser - not only was it VERY difficult to program, it's delivery was inconsistent as well. I was actually kind of happy/relieved when my skimmer overflowed on top of it and it died. Absolute piece of crapola - I would rate it at -1000 stars

 

[Potatohead]

I find it hard to believe there isn't an acceptable middle ground between a $70 Chinese pump and a $1400 set up.

A GHL is about $400 - 450. The best cheap one is a Kamoer which I believe is still around $300. I agree that this is not one place to cheap out on.

OK thanks for the advice. I'm thinking I'll try to find a solid used pump and if that fails I may go with the Icecap pump.

If it fails you will likely have a tank full of dead livestock

 

[Drewl117]

I use a Kamoer and it works very well, super accurate and easy to program! I've had it for almost a year without any hiccups.

 

[rocsec1]

I used the brs controlled by my apex. Works great