Do most folks use an auto-doser? I like the DYI one posted on this website from Jeff. I also found plans from a system that uses an air pump. It pressurizes the bottle and make a constant drip. That seems like it would be hard to regulate specific amounts though. I'm looking for thoughts or suggestions anyone might have on this?
Thanks,
Don
Auto-Dosers
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Ghazanfar Ghori
- Site Admin
- Posts: 3258
- Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2003 5:26 am
- Location: United States
The DIY one Jeff posted is very simple to do, fairly scalable and almost fool proof.
Its also very economical to setup and run. Easy to customize to your planted
aquarium's specific demands. Just don't go on the cheap with the
digital timer - get one with a battery backup.
Its only a few $ more and worth the peace of mind.
Its also very economical to setup and run. Easy to customize to your planted
aquarium's specific demands. Just don't go on the cheap with the
digital timer - get one with a battery backup.
Its only a few $ more and worth the peace of mind.
I picked up a pair of these pumps:
http://all-aquatics.com/?mainURL=%2Fsto ... _id%3Dycjn
So I'm playing with getting it setup. At the head height I want to use, I'm just getting a drip out of it, about 1 drip per second. Obviously, if I raise it up it flows freely, but I need to be able to host it inside the stand. Any experience with these pumps? If the drip will stay consistant it'll probably be okay, but I'm starting to question it. The nicety about it, in my mind, was that with an external pump, I can use just tubing insde the container, and therefore not have X inches of liquid in the bottom of the container that's unusable due to a PH sitting inside the container. I don't mind the slow drip if we believe it'll maintain, I can run it for 15 minutes if need be, rather than the 1 minute I think you guys all do.
So, you're all going to tell me I should've just bought a powerhead, so recommend me one. I'll need to push about 50" of head height, but don't want a power blast coming out.
http://all-aquatics.com/?mainURL=%2Fsto ... _id%3Dycjn
So I'm playing with getting it setup. At the head height I want to use, I'm just getting a drip out of it, about 1 drip per second. Obviously, if I raise it up it flows freely, but I need to be able to host it inside the stand. Any experience with these pumps? If the drip will stay consistant it'll probably be okay, but I'm starting to question it. The nicety about it, in my mind, was that with an external pump, I can use just tubing insde the container, and therefore not have X inches of liquid in the bottom of the container that's unusable due to a PH sitting inside the container. I don't mind the slow drip if we believe it'll maintain, I can run it for 15 minutes if need be, rather than the 1 minute I think you guys all do.
So, you're all going to tell me I should've just bought a powerhead, so recommend me one. I'll need to push about 50" of head height, but don't want a power blast coming out.
For what I have heard from other folks trying an autodoser with that pump is its junk, for it to work it has to be either a small tank or sit right by the rim.
Try this pump, I forget what the head height is, I think you'll want the 606
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=14665
Try this pump, I forget what the head height is, I think you'll want the 606
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=14665
Jeff U.
