Doser recommendations?

[maxxII]

I've got a 120 gallon display, (48x24x24) that I'm in the process of rebuilding. It will be SPS dominated. I do have a Geo 618 calcium reactor I've been using throughout the years, but there was always issues towards the end of the tank...

Having read all of the positive reactions and experiences with the Aqua Forest Products from several people here on the board, I'm actively considering going to a doser of some sort and dosing their products.

I'm not made of money, but I tend towards the "buy once, cry once" mentality.

What doser would you SPS guru's recommend for a tank that is not currently being run with a controller, but will probably end up being run with one eventually?

I also just saw a post in another thread here on this forum suggesting using a masterflex pump and a carbon doser regulator.....this would appear to cost about the same if not slightly more than buying a high end doser, but that would something I would be familiar with and would not potentially limit controller choice in the future, ( I also know very little about controllers, so if doser choice would not interfere with controller choice, please excuse my ignorance.)

Bottom line is that I'm at a cross roads here and welcome any and all opinions and experiences in this matter.


Thanks in advance folks....

ETA - I'm looking for rock solid stability and for dosers, I'm looking for reliability and accuracy for dosing.

 

[Reel North]

On my frag tank I use a kamoer 3 channel doser. Works well. No complaints.

On my sps DT I use a Lifereef calcium reactor. I'm like you. Buy it once and be done with it lol

 

[reefwiser]

GHL doser2 you can expand it out to 16 pumps and dose down to 1 ml very flexible system.


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[Myka]

I use GHL Stand Alone (not the new style), it's getting to be older now too though, and missing a line of pixels in the screen (common issue with the older model), so I've been considering an upgrade too. I'll be watching this thread. So many options now.

I have a few clients using Kamoer dosers, and so far they've been reliable even though they are cheap. They are set up a bit differently than usual though which almost tricked me at first - you tell it how many mL to dose and how many times to split that dose where typically other dosers you tell it how many mL to dose and how many times to perform that dose. Gotta pay attention! :lol:

 

[Wrangy]

I'm running a Kore 5th doser and really like it. I have the pro with all the bells and whistles with it too but haven't used any beyond the 5 pump heads I plan on giving the ATO and water change elements a test on the new tank, I enjoy that it has audible alarms for low volume in dosing containers and a temp probe with alarm and it can dose 0.1ml accurately
It's a great stand alone doser but won't blend well with a controller lol most dosers won't aside from on and off power function unless you're buying a timer based one with a set flow rate.'

Previous to the Kore I had a Kamoer 3 channel and I loved that, never missed a beat in the two years I had it

 

[maxxII]

GHL doser2 you can expand it out to 16 pumps and dose down to 1 ml very flexible system.


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Is the GHL able to work with other controllers or just the Profilux? I'd been leaning towards the Apex controller, but for the price of the Apex Doser and the fact that it only has two dosing heads means that it's not gonna suffice for what I want. I will need a minimum of three dosing heads, preferably four.

I use GHL Stand Alone (not the new style), it's getting to be older now too though, and missing a line of pixels in the screen (common issue with the older model), so I've been considering an upgrade too. I'll be watching this thread. So many options now.

I have a few clients using Kamoer dosers, and so far they've been reliable even though they are cheap. They are set up a bit differently than usual though which almost tricked me at first - you tell it how many mL to dose and how many times to split that dose where typically other dosers you tell it how many mL to dose and how many times to perform that dose. Gotta pay attention! :lol:

Never heard of Kamoer dosers, but thanks for the heads up about the difference in dosing, (Splitting the dose vs number of times per day to dose a set amount).

I'm running a Kore 5th doser and really like it. I have the pro with all the bells and whistles with it too but haven't used any beyond the 5 pump heads I plan on giving the ATO and water change elements a test on the new tank, I enjoy that it has audible alarms for low volume in dosing containers and a temp probe with alarm and it can dose 0.1ml accurately
It's a great stand alone doser but won't blend well with a controller lol most dosers won't aside from on and off power function unless you're buying a timer based one with a set flow rate.'

Previous to the Kore I had a Kamoer 3 channel and I loved that, never missed a beat in the two years I had it

I'd read some nice things about the Kore 5th dosers, but they arent cheap and I dont want to be locked into something that I cant use with a controller. I will eventually be purchasing a controller...so compatibility is something to consider.

 

[maxxII]

How good are the Bubble Magus dosers?

 

[Wrangy]

I haven't heard fantastic things about the bubble magnus, some good and some bad.

I'd read some nice things about the Kore 5th dosers, but they arent cheap and I dont want to be locked into something that I cant use with a controller. I will eventually be purchasing a controller...so compatibility is something to consider.

The problem is the DOS for Apex and GHL for the Profilux are the only two really compatible dosers with a controller and they're both brand specific too. All the other dosers unless they're timer based dosers like the BRS ones won't be able to be controlled by a controller. So it means, do you drop the cash on two DOS which would be ridiculous lol or you choose a doser you'd like but have to "manually" control.
If you want a reliable mid-range doser that will work like it should without issue get yourself a Kamoer as they're made to medical grade standards or if you want something that can do a little more then have a look at the Kore or the Kamoer F05x
Unfortunately your decision is DOS or timer based doser for Apex controllability or anything else that you have to program on the doser itself. Kore software is run via bluetooth though so you will need a bluetooth capable device to run it

 

[rovster]

I used a ghl and was happy with it, currently using BRS run by apex. If you are insistent on a high quality doser then ghl or vertex libra are the answer. If you already have the geo, then I personally would upgrade your set up with a good regulator and feed. Aka Carbon doser plus masterflex, although kamoer has a continuous duty pump for around $300 that my buddy is using and so far he's happy with it.

 

[pete33]

Since you said you'll eventually get a controller, how about a couple BRS dosers and timers. They make timers with multiple on off settings, then when you get a controller have it working your dosers.


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[reefwiser]

The GHL doser is a highly programmable dosing platform and doesn't need a controller to use it fully. You can have level probes temperature sensors and conditional dosing.


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[maxxII]

After reading about about the Kamoer pumps, I'm getting more and more impressed by them.

Google search "Kamoer dosing pump review" and read the November 25th, 2013 review by reef builders. According to that review and others on the same website, Kamoer is actually a dosing pump company not an aquarium supply company that also makes dosers....


Just something to think about....

Still really leaning hard towards a digital CO2 regulator and a heavy duty peristaltic pump like a Cole Parmer Masterflex....although this Kamoer pump has been designed to run continuously and would cost about as much a good used cole parmer masterflex pump and head....

 

[Acromaniac]

I have a kamoer and am happy with it

 

[brob22]

i bought a kore 5th doser its great!! it can dose drops for carbon dosing or zeo. it has automatic waterchanges. temp control and ect...

only problem is cant figure out how to set the dam thing up!!!!!

im serious im thinkin about sellin this. dam piece of equipment