Dosing BRS Two-Part - Automatically...

[ZURCSREEF]

I will be dosing Bulk Reef Supply's two part deluxe package and wanted to know what kind of ideas you all might have about doing this automatically everyday? If you have this setup, please post pictures and explanation.

I have a AC3Pro and would like to put this sucker to use

Thanks,
-Mike C.

 

[qfrisco]

I haven't done this yet, but I plan to use a couple Drew's Dosing Pumps (from BRS), each controlled via my AC3. Just measure the dosing rate of the pumps you get, then have your AC3Pro turn the pumps on for the appropriate amount of time.

 

[ZURCSREEF]

Thank you, was looking into that, but was hoping to find something a bit more wallet friendly as those pumps run for $85 a piece and I am going to need atleast 2-3.

-Mike C.

 

[greenmonkey51]

You could do it with gravity, but its not as consistent. I also imagine that on a larger system like you have you'll be dosing quite a bit more and your prep containers would be bigger. Overall the pumps are the best option.

 

[madadi]

if you already have the AC all you need is a cheap pump. the peristaltic would be the best the i think an aqualifter pump could work well. just have to prevent a siphon when the pumps stop so put some check valves. at 10 dollars each, you cant go wrong so give it a try. you can also dial them back so they run at a lower GPM with a small ball valve.

 

[stanlalee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14583782#post14583782 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ZURCSREEF
Thank you, was looking into that, but was hoping to find something a bit more wallet friendly as those pumps run for $85 a piece and I am going to need atleast 2-3.

-Mike C.

thats about as cheap as it comes beyond a mechanical gravity drip that wont be a high risk for back siphoning. whats the 3rd pump for (assumming the first two are for calcium and alk supplements).

 

[kretzkiller]

go with the aqua lifter. I use a valve on mine to control the flow. It drips my alk supplement 24/7, which I have mixed in with my top off water. I am currently in the process of getting one setup to dose calcium.

 

[GatorWPB]

Re: Dosing BRS Two-Part - Automatically...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14582175#post14582175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ZURCSREEF
I will be dosing Bulk Reef Supply's two part deluxe package and wanted to know what kind of ideas you all might have about doing this automatically everyday? If you have this setup, please post pictures and explanation.

I have a AC3Pro and would like to put this sucker to use

Thanks,
-Mike C.

With an AC3Pro, not sure why you want to go cheap. The Drews Dosers seem to be the best option for the money. Also, I think you'll only need 2, as you can hand dose magnesium.
Here's my setup on my Reefkeeper2. I use the slim jugs from BRS as well. Ive posted these pics before.

 

[ZURCSREEF]

Re: Re: Dosing BRS Two-Part - Automatically...

Re: Re: Dosing BRS Two-Part - Automatically...

I wouldn't consider anything I am doing to be "cheap" - is there something wrong with looking for something a bit more affordable? Drew's dosers were the first product I looked at for this project, do you usually jump into the first thing that you see?

That being said, I am looking into some very similar pumps from grainger that I can get at a great price, a friend of mine is bringing me one later today to look at and test.

Will keep you updated as I am sure many other people would be interested in something a tadbit more affordable, of course if its ok with GatorWPB...

Thanks for all the comments,
-Mike C.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14587467#post14587467 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GatorWPB
With an AC3Pro, not sure why you want to go cheap. The Drews Dosers seem to be the best option for the money. Also, I think you'll only need 2, as you can hand dose magnesium.
Here's my setup on my Reefkeeper2. I use the slim jugs from BRS as well. Ive posted these pics before.

 

[THE ROOK]

Zurcsreef - FYI there was a couple of brand new drew's pumps in the for sale section yesterday, I believe.

That said, please report back with you find on the grainger pump. Always looking for a new, affordable method.

 

[arod2051]

I have been running a test between peristaltic and diaphragm pumps. Specifically, Drew's vs Tom's pumps.

My data and initial results are complete but I am still dialing in another aqualifter with a different pinch valve.

The thread is here on my local club site.

What I've found is that Drew's pumps have very little variance. My goals is to dose about 50 mL over the course of the evening. I can achieve that goal with 28 minutes of dosing on one pump and 32 minutes of dosing on another. I am planning to use an ACjr to split the the dosing up by 7 or 8 sessions of 4-minutes each during the lights-off time.

The aqualifter has been a pain to dial-in. I have tried about 5 different valves. My latest result will be posted with a new valve. But after a few moments of tweaking I am finding it to have a rather tight distribution. I had to make tradeoffs, like faster flow-rate.

Can you provide a link to the Grainger pump? It sounds like you are getting a 'homeboy' hookup so it may not be cost-effective for normal reefers.

 

[catman78]

ZURCSREEF

When using Drews dosing pumps is it necessary to use ports 4 and 8 on DC8? These are mechanical switches.

I've seen on old forums this was the case due to low current draw of pumps.

Can you please comment, as I'll be using an ACJr. with Drews and will need to free up ports if this is the case.

Thanks
Mark

 

[catman78]

ZURCSREEF

When using Drews dosing pumps is it necessary to use ports 4 and 8 on DC8? These are mechanical switches.

I've seen on old forums this was the case due to low current draw of pumps.

Can you please comment, as I'll be using an ACJr. with Drews and will need to free up ports if this is the case.

Thanks
Mark

 

[catman78]

Sorry ZURCSREEF
my question was to:
GatorWPB or arod2051

double post AAAHH

 

[arod2051]

Mark,

I have not setup the ACjr yet. My test was run on a digital timer. I've spent two weeks trying to calibrate the ACjr timer using the leap second it is a PITA.

I just cracked open the DC8 manual and it does state that low "power-factor" devices should be put on Ports 4 and 8. I don't know if the Drew's dosing pump qualifies as a low power factor device.

I am planning to move my test setup into my tank and use the ACjr for future testing. I'll do this this weekend and will post up again. I'll test out other outlet ports since I'll only be running freshwater into freshwater.

 

[catman78]

Thanks arod2051, looking forward to your observations.

Great thread on local site. LOL, attention span of a Soybean...

 

[ZURCSREEF]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14592702#post14592702 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arod2051
I have been running a test between peristaltic and diaphragm pumps. Specifically, Drew's vs Tom's pumps.

My data and initial results are complete but I am still dialing in another aqualifter with a different pinch valve.

The thread is here on my local club site.

What I've found is that Drew's pumps have very little variance. My goals is to dose about 50 mL over the course of the evening. I can achieve that goal with 28 minutes of dosing on one pump and 32 minutes of dosing on another. I am planning to use an ACjr to split the the dosing up by 7 or 8 sessions of 4-minutes each during the lights-off time.

The aqualifter has been a pain to dial-in. I have tried about 5 different valves. My latest result will be posted with a new valve. But after a few moments of tweaking I am finding it to have a rather tight distribution. I had to make tradeoffs, like faster flow-rate.

Can you provide a link to the Grainger pump? It sounds like you are getting a 'homeboy' hookup so it may not be cost-effective for normal reefers.

My friend came by last night with the pump, it looked great at site, but once we took it apart, it would only cause problems in the future, too many of the pieces were made too cheapy and in my opinion would not last very long after some alk and calc power [if] got stuck in there.

Lol, not a "homeboy" hook up, only catch is I would have to buy a case, but I figured I would of just plopped them on ebay.

I have received quite a few pm's about the drew's dosers and I am getting a pretty good deal on a pair of them so I am going that route.

Thanks everyone for the comments and questions, really helped.
-Mike C.

 

[BrassMonkey]

here is what i just did.

masterflex 6-600 rpm motor, with masterflex 7013. $75
nos masterflex 7013 $32
5 ft hose and barbs. $20

 

[Masoch]

The Spectrapure Litre Meter 3 is a good choice -- you calibrate the pumps, then set how much you want each pump to deliver. The LM3 controller will automatically split up the total dose over the course of a day in a bunch of small doses.

I've one on my 40 (with 2 pumps), and like it a lot.

For the 20, I have a Reefkeeper Lite with 2 of Drew's pumps. Since you can set each channel to be on for 1 minute intervals, it was easy enough to set the alk to come on for, IIRC, 16 minutes of alk at 3:00AM and 15 minutes of Ca at 3:00PM. Works like a charm -- but this method needs timers that can be fine-tuned. The RK2 on the 40 only turns on channels in 15 minute intervals, so I went with the spendier LM3.

 

[arod2051]

I would have loved to get the LiterMeter 3 but it is in another price class. I would go this route if you want to eliminate a single point-of-failure in the Aquacontroller. Or, if you have no plans in using a separate controller at all.

The AC3Pro and the ACjr have 1-minute intervals for the timer. I thought this was crap, but I had no idea the RK2 had 15-minute granularity.

"Spendier" is awesome. I am going to use that term from now on.