Auto Doser

An auto doser (automatic dosing pump) is a programmable peristaltic pump that dispenses precise amounts of liquid fertilisers, supplements, or water conditioners into your aquarium on a set schedule. For planted tank enthusiasts running daily dosing regimes (like EI or Lean dosing), an auto doser eliminates the tedium of manual dosing and ensures perfectly consistent nutrient delivery.

How It Works

A peristaltic pump uses a rotating roller mechanism to squeeze flexible tubing, pushing a precise volume of liquid through the tube and into the tank. Each "rotation" dispenses a calibrated amount, allowing repeatable, accurate dosing.

Key Components

1. Pump Head: The peristaltic mechanism containing rollers and tubing.
2. Controller: Built-in timer or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth app for scheduling doses.
3. Tubing: Flexible silicone tubing that connects the pump to the fertiliser bottle and the tank.
4. Reservoir: The bottle or container holding your liquid fertiliser, placed near the pump.

What Can You Dose?

• Macro Fertilisers: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K).
• Micro Fertilisers: Iron, manganese, boron, and trace elements.
• Carbon Supplements: Liquid carbon (e.g., Seachem Excel) for non-CO2 tanks.
• Water Conditioners: Dechlorinator during automated water changes.
• KH Buffers: Maintain stable KH/pH in soft water.
• Shrimp Minerals: GH+ re-mineraliser for RO water.

Dosing Schedules

Estimative Index (EI)

• Day 1, 3, 5: Macro (NPK)
• Day 2, 4, 6: Micro (Trace)
• Day 7: 50% water change

Lean Dosing

• Lower concentrations dosed daily, adjusted based on plant uptake and water tests.

An auto doser can be programmed to handle either regime automatically, dosing the exact amount at the exact time every day.

Multi-Channel vs. Single-Channel

• Single Channel: One pump, one solution. You'll need multiple units for different fertilisers.
• Multi-Channel (2–4 heads): Doses multiple solutions independently from a single controller. Far more efficient and cost-effective.

Installation Tips

• Place the pump above the water line or install a check valve to prevent siphoning.
• Route tubing so the output drips near the filter intake or an area of flow for immediate mixing.
• Calibrate the pump before use — measure the actual volume per dose and adjust as needed.
• Use opaque or dark-coloured fertiliser containers to prevent algae growth in the reservoir.

Trusted Brands

• Jebao: DP-4 / DP-2 — affordable, reliable, multi-channel dosing pumps.
• GHL: Doser 2.1 — premium, app-controlled, extremely precise.
• Kamoer: X1 PRO — Wi-Fi enabled, sleek design, strong community support.
• AquaMedic: Reefdoser — originally for reef tanks but works perfectly for planted setups.

Pros & Cons

Advantages

• Consistency: Exact same dose at the exact same time, every day.
• Convenience: Set and forget — no more manual daily dosing.
• Precision: Peristaltic pumps deliver ±1ml accuracy.
• Multi-Solution: Multi-head units handle macro, micro, and carbon simultaneously.

Considerations

• Cost: Multi-channel dosers are a moderate investment.
• Calibration: Must be calibrated initially and checked periodically.
• Tubing Wear: Peristaltic tubing wears over time and needs replacement every 6–12 months.
• Power Dependency: Requires continuous power; a power outage skips doses.