2 Part Doser Recommendations

[Wes]

Isn't the most expensive always best?

A wise man once told me, "Don't believe the hype!"

i think my innovativeaquatics medical pump cost me $90 and has been running for about 11 months on the same tube set.

So far i am happy and it won't hurt too bad if it craps the bed....

I wouldn't recommend a medical pump for Top Off, but 2 part dosing is so low volume i don't suspect i am putting much of a strain on it. Tony is right it is pretty darn precise.

 

[cali_reef]

I used medical pumps for the last 6 years, the tubing clogs up with Kalk and wears out pretty quick, I also use one to dose Mg and the tubing last a bit longer. I don't know how they work with Ca and baking soda mixtures since I don't use one for that purpose.

Where did you hear that? Wouldn't a medical pump being used as intended, need to lift and push liquid up to the IV bag? As far as my medical doser is concerned, the tubing diameter determines how much is dosed, not the pump itself. It simply rotates according to the number input by the user.

They are not great in pulling fluid up, all IV application I have seen the IV is placed above the pump, gravity and suction takes the fluid down.

You should also look at Cole Palmer Masterflex pump on ebay, you can run one motor with a stack of heads(with different size tubings), you will need to control the daily dose amount and frequency with a external controller.

 

[herman]

I buy a lot of **** only to end up using the LMIII. The thing is dead stable, super reliable and virtually unbreakable. As with everything else in this hobby we try to opt for cheaper. It ends up costing more in the end. The LM III was designed for reef purposes and other units are not. I have never had issues of clogging or wearing out of parts but then again I have not used this thing long enough. However Kedd has been using the LMIII for about 6 years without issues. So sacrifice a couple of beers and get the LMIII. That is one piece of equipment you will not regret buying.

 

[loismustdie]

So sacrifice a couple of beers and get the LMIII. .

Herman, I'm sure he can find something else to sacrifice. Lets not lose our heads now.

 

[DevIouS]

I have a Kangaroo medical doser.
I've had the same tubing for 2 years, dosing Kalk / Top-off.
I think you guys are putting it to tight around the motor if it's wearing out that fast.
I use Norprene tubing around the motor with airline tube on both ends.
I haven't had any clogging, besides some build up on the end of the hose leading to the sump.
It does pull up liquid. My old setup was from a bucket 2 feet below & to the sump around 3 feet away.

Now my doser is about 2 feet away, below the bucket & sump.

I have to adjust according to the weather as the evaporation changes.

I manually dose B-Ionic.

 

[herman]

Herman, I'm sure he can find something else to sacrifice. Lets not lose our heads now.

HA HA!! I just assumed the sacrificial beer coming from me would put the point across Chris is right tho. Just take away the wifes privileges. The few nights on the couch will be filled with pride as you look upon your reef.

 

[cali_reef]

I have a Kangaroo medical doser.
I've had the same tubing for 2 years, dosing Kalk / Top-off.
I think you guys are putting it to tight around the motor if it's wearing out that fast.
I use Norprene tubing around the motor with airline tube on both ends.

I use the factory tubing sets, my unit can't take home made tube sets. The tube set goes on one way only, no adjustments on the tension.

 

[fritz]

Thanks Herm, great advice.
Phylis thanks as well interesting. Did you per chance boost that doser? Hmmm.
Dean, I'm glad you haven't been in a hospital anytime in the recent past. Dosing pump do NOT pump medicine up and into the IV bag, they meter how quickly it is allowed to exit.

 

[DevIouS]

I use the factory tubing sets, my unit can't take home made tube sets. The tube set goes on one way only, no adjustments on the tension.

My tubing is not home-made:tired:

http://www.innovativeaquatics.com/Pages/access.html

Just instead of using the complete set, which is thinner, I use air line.

Norprene is around the motor.

I use this:

If you do, yes you can adjust the tension.
By moving the plastic that attaches to the Norprene.

 

[cali_reef]

My tubing is not home-made:tired:

http://www.innovativeaquatics.com/Pages/access.html

Just instead of using the complete set, which is thinner, I use air line.

Norprene is around the motor.

I use this:

If you do, yes you can adjust the tension.
By moving the plastic that attaches to the Norprene.

That is home made, you have to make those at home :lol2:. Factory units comes in a package, install and go:fishhit:

 

[DevIouS]

Well....I didn't make it at home. It's in the link supplied.:tired:


Obviously it's working better than your "factory unit" & it's adjustable.

 

[Deanos]

Dean, I'm glad you haven't been in a hospital anytime in the recent past. Dosing pump do NOT pump medicine up and into the IV bag, they meter how quickly it is allowed to exit.

Hey, I edited my post. No need to continue to rub it in :screama:

 

[Bob 1000]

Using medical doser for 7 yrs changed the tubing 3 times as a precautionary measure.. I vote medical for A and B....

 

[House of Laughter]

I use an SP3000 for ATO and haven't replaced the neoprene in 1.5 yrs -

I use a reactor and dose up at water changes with B-Ionic manually-

If I went hard core 2 part, I'd use a LMIII - bulletproof and reef approved.

House

 

[lazyreefer]

here is the ghetto doser pics -

Lazyreefer, can you post pics of your set up? This sounds like a very cost effective tool. Honestly, what you are saying is no different than the AquaMedic... the pumps should be ran over night into a measuring cup to ensure you are getting the proper doses. At a savings of $130, I'd consider this. Like you say, it's a nice start while saving money for something else, and $50 beats the hell out of manual dosing any day.
Litremeter is the best out there, although it is expensive.

 

[vanceny]

LAzyreefer, how long have you had this set up? Have you had any problems with clogging? Last one, where did you get those timers? Thanks.

 

[lazyreefer]

timers are from amazon.com 9.99 each. so far no issues. I had them set up for about 3 weeks now. Goig to check if they are clogged tomorrow.. it keeps my alk at 8.0 and calc at 430

 

[vanceny]

Thanks I'll look for them there. Let us know if they get clogged.

 

[cali_reef]

Well....I didn't make it at home. It's in the link supplied.:tired:


Obviously it's working better than your "factory unit" & it's adjustable.

BTW, that fat tubing can pump 850ml/hr vs. the standard 300ml/hr. That's almost three times the amount so it does not have spin and being pinched as many times to move the same amount of fluid, it should last almost three times as long even if it was made from the same material.

 

[kris]

Anyone ever heard of or have experience with these:

http://www.twopartsolution.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26_30&products_id=29