Automatic Dosing Systems?

Never used them before, but want to step up the game with my new setup.  

Edited by improdigal - April 26 2013 at 1:46pm

Aloha Patrick,

You and I and a few other old reefers are still around.

If I were going to add something that would provide the most important things a reef tank needs on a daily basis, it would be a Calcium Reactor.

Other things the reef needs, like Mg, I, Sr, etc. are contained in products that take only a few seconds to add once or twice a month.

Hope this helps,
Mark

Good morning and aloha,

Yes, you are right. Sensor technology has not progressed too much.
Where there is large demand for Alk and Ca by stony coral, Coralline Algae and snails, extra large water changes are a lot of hassle. Since 10% monthly water changes are typically very effective, adding a little liquid Alk and Ca is easy and less time consuming.

Many hobbyists seem to prefer doing large water changes and not bother with testing. That is not necessarily a bad choice but unfortunately, it can lead to trouble 6-12 months down the road. Coral are very slow to show the effects of a gradual decline in Alk and/or Ca. Long, long ago, before I knew the importance of Alk and Ca, I finally tested and found Alk at 3 dKH and Ca in a similar depressed state. No wonder I couldn't keep Hermits alive.    I finally realized also that was the reason coral had not grown much for months. I prefer to know for certain that Alk and Ca levels are good, plus, a part of me thinks that doing testing makes me feel like a scientist.

I have some time this morning so here is my take on the subject. Considering the 4 major parameters:
1. Temperature - Heaters traditionally have temperature control built in.
2. Salinity - Where water level is controlled via a float valve, or the hobbyist, salinity doesn't change
3. Calcium - Determined by a chemical test that uses a titration procedure. There is an electronic Calcium sensor that is still so expensive ($269 online) that it isn't widely used. It cannot be left in the water for continuous monitoring so connecting it to a controller isn't feasible.
4. Alkalinity - Also a chemical test that uses a titration procedure. As far as I know, there is no electronic Alkalinity sensor.

That's why my opinion is that a controller is cute as an electronic gadget, but isn't really necessary. Of course electronic pH monitoring has been around for a long time, but since we have found that pH follows Alk, the only practical use for pH monitoring is to half-control the Ca Reactor. The reason I say "half-control" is that in my experience, the most effective use of a Calcium Reactor is to set it at a low level and have it run continuously. The need for a controller is minimal because Alk and Ca still need to be tested with a kit and the Calcium Reactor bubble rate and effluent flow are then simply tweaked manually which carries it for another couple months without requiring attention.

As a matter of fact, though a Calcium Reactor seems to be the the least costly and most trouble free way to add large amounts of Alk and Ca, over the course of several months, due to an well stocked aquarium's use of different amounts of Alk and Ca, one or both will go slightly out of range. This requires the hobbyist to manually dose one or the other to bring it back into range. In my experience a system where Alk and Ca are dosed daily according to preset amounts is more prone to experience problems requiring adjustment than a Calcium Reactor.

That's my opinion, for what it's worth.

Mahalo,
Mark


Edited by Mark Peterson - April 27 2013 at 9:39am

Mark Peterson wrote: improdigal wrote: ...cause the move threw everything off... What happened?

Oh the substrate just stirred up to make mud soup and I couldn't see to place my rocks for a couple days and during that time 90% of my corals died, followed by losing a couple fish...crash

So sorry to hear about all of that!

Anyways back to the topic at hand...I run a calcium reactor and have to say I love it. I never have to worry about refilling two part reservoirs as you would with dosing pumps, nor do I worry about my calcium, alkalinity, and rarely magnesium. I used two part for a long time but I just couldn't keep up with my corals and clams (I stuffed 4 BIG clams in my tank), granted I was doing it manually without dosers. But I did the math and according to the BRS calculator on their website I'd be using ~600ml calcium and 160ml alkalinity if I were using two part. For magnesium I'd be up to ~250ml of magnesium weekly. By using a calcium reactor with CaribSea ARM media I get my levels to stay consistently at 450ppm calcium, 9.6dKH, and 1350ppm magnesium. I also think regular water changes are still important and therefore what salt you use should also be factored in. I use instant ocean reef crystals which is generally a little higher in calcium than most other salts. This works well for my system since my clams (well only 1 now) suck calcium down very quickly.

My point is that I love my calcium reactor and definitely recommend running one if your system requires large amounts of calcium and alkalinity. Dosing pumps work well two but I don't like that you have to refill the two part every so often.

If you're dosing with dosing.pump daily it keeps it consistent and you only add so much a day. Dosing it manually you will see peaks and troughs where you need to add large amounts back in. I think dosing pumps are awesome. You don't have to worry about the possibility of your reactor leaking and your Ph dropping to acidic levels. With everything I have in my tank I wouldn't even take the chance.

I have a completely decked out apex. I have the salinity probe , the module to switch my mp40s modes every hour, and the advanced leak detection . Of course it also has all the lab grade Ph and orp. The leak detection is peace of mind . If it gets hit with water it shuts off my ozone and return pump then shoots a text and an email to me along with the audible alarm at the controller. The temperature ,Ph, orp, and the salinity is just something you have to monitor. Having it all on one screen or right on my phone where ever I am is awesome. Saying that a controller is a fancy gadget you don't need is ridiculous.

You can tell when some one does not v have a controller. Controlled tanks are on a complete different level.

Yes, as far as I know, they work on a timed duration only.

Sorry folks, as I looked at it again, I can see how "fancy gadget" could be taken negatively. No malice was intended.

Of all the ways a reef tank can be done, automation with a controller is a nice way to go. If I'm not mistaken, an Aquacontroller Jr can be set up to turn off a Calcium Reactor if pH gets too low and can also be used to control individual dosing pumps so there may be no need for the $250 unit you have been looking at. If less than a minute of pump run time is needed, you could get individual pumps that have smaller hose diameter or dilute the dosing solution with an appropriate amount of RO water.

Aloha,
Mark



Edited by Mark Peterson - April 28 2013 at 5:01pm