So I have been trying to stabalize my alk in my biocube and have done satisfactory with thrive alk. I want to switch and try brs from all the good reviews. Debating on getting just the basic starter package or the ones with the dosing pumps. I really don't mind hand dosing daily (what I do now.) but is it work the extra $130 for pumps. Btw I have an apex Jr but don't have any open plugs tho. So input is appreciated.
Dosing pumps or not
- Thread starter Balz3352
- Start date
Everyone has there own opinion on automation and how much automation they want. I'm lazy so I need some automation in my life, but also in case I leave for the weekend or go on vacation all I need to know is if my containers are full of alk/cal.
But in the end I think dosing pumps that dose to your system over a broad time will keep your levels more stable or consistent instead of adding once or twice a day where your levels will spike up with addition of your 2 part.
But in the end I think dosing pumps that dose to your system over a broad time will keep your levels more stable or consistent instead of adding once or twice a day where your levels will spike up with addition of your 2 part.
If you value not haveing to dose yourself, then it could be very worth it. But since you dont have any open outlets it will actually be $250 to add these (if you get an EB4) or $290 if you get an EB8. Unless you have something else you have been waiting to add outlets to control, you are honestly better off with a DOS
How much are you dosing now on what size tank? Running dosers on a controller is great for spreading out the doses into many small doses per day but if you are already just dosing once per day there is no reason you couldn't just run them on regular receptical timers that are very inexpensive.
Personally I would never dose manually again. I think its totally worth it. Get the BRS dosers and a couple cheap timers now then down the road add to your apex.
Personally I would never dose manually again. I think its totally worth it. Get the BRS dosers and a couple cheap timers now then down the road add to your apex.
It is certainly an investment, but worth it in my opinion. I'd say continue manually dosing and save up for it (and jump on it if you see it go on sale or on a BRS 10x points day). It will hold its value far better than any other type of dosing pump and it is so much more flexible (even though there are only two dosing pumps). I know how tough it is to spend so much $ on a dosing pump for a small tank, but it certainly can be used in any future larger builds (and we all know you are itching to set something bigger up when you get a house!).
I was manually dosing alk and as much as I tried I found I would miss a dose here or there and was constantly seeing small alk swings. I think the dosing pump on a small tank like mine is even more important since with the low water volume I would see swings in alkalinity happen very quickly. Dosing more to make up for a missed day causes a new set of problems. Also, the continual small doses keep the alkalinity stable rather than a gradual depletion and then a big bounce back up.
I was manually dosing alk and as much as I tried I found I would miss a dose here or there and was constantly seeing small alk swings. I think the dosing pump on a small tank like mine is even more important since with the low water volume I would see swings in alkalinity happen very quickly. Dosing more to make up for a missed day causes a new set of problems. Also, the continual small doses keep the alkalinity stable rather than a gradual depletion and then a big bounce back up.
Before I broke down my 28G nano cube I was dosing 28 ml of each of BRS two part per day. That was obviously way to much to do at one time so I spread that out with my dosers and controller to dose 4ml 7 times a day usually over the late night and early morning hours to prevent any pH spikes.
But before I was doing this I had gotten up to dosing about 7ml each manually once a day without any issues. My point is I still think you could just use cheap timers for now. Ive never used the thrive stuff but id be willing to bet its not that much more concentrated than the BRS stuff if you mix it correctly.
Recently I switched from the BRS stuff to the ESV two part which is "Supposedly" much higher concentration. I did some tests to see how much more concentrated it was by testing 2 gallon of tank water to get a base then adding 1ml of brs to one of the gallons and 1ml of ESV to the other. If my memory serves me they both rose from 8dkh to around 10.5. But they were identical. So I just swapped over to the ESV and tested for a couple weeks and things stayed right on track.
I think some companies like to state that their product is "highly concentrated" to make people feel they are getting a bigger bang for the buck when in reality any good two part is highly concentrated.
But before I was doing this I had gotten up to dosing about 7ml each manually once a day without any issues. My point is I still think you could just use cheap timers for now. Ive never used the thrive stuff but id be willing to bet its not that much more concentrated than the BRS stuff if you mix it correctly.
Recently I switched from the BRS stuff to the ESV two part which is "Supposedly" much higher concentration. I did some tests to see how much more concentrated it was by testing 2 gallon of tank water to get a base then adding 1ml of brs to one of the gallons and 1ml of ESV to the other. If my memory serves me they both rose from 8dkh to around 10.5. But they were identical. So I just swapped over to the ESV and tested for a couple weeks and things stayed right on track.
I think some companies like to state that their product is "highly concentrated" to make people feel they are getting a bigger bang for the buck when in reality any good two part is highly concentrated.