Neptune Systems DOS Dosing and Fluid Metering System

A multi-purpose dosing and fluid delivery system of uncompromising quality combined with the simplicity of Apex Fusion software wizards for operations such as:

• 2-part dosing (Calcium and Alkalinity)
• Other additives dosing
• Automatic water changes
• micro-quantity dosing
• delivery of liquid foods and supplements

So, here’s what the DOS can do

The DOS is a multi-purpose Dosing and Fluid Metering System. The DOS connects to any Apex via its AquaBus connection.  The true versatility and functionality of the DOS comes to life via the software wizards built into Apex Fusion.  This takes dosing to a whole new level in terms of ease of use as well as functionality when compared to standalone dosing systems because the DOS is part of your Apex ecosystem. Not only can you integrate it into other operations and devices you have configured, but we also will be continuing to expand on its capabilities as time goes on via software updates to Apex Fusion.

2-part dosing made easy

The #1 reason people purchase a dosing system for their aquariums is for consistent and easy dosing of 2-part solutions (calcium and alkalinity) to their reef tanks. The most common method for doing this today is to use standalone dosing pumps and run them on a timer using seconds or minutes to determine how much to dose. This is not only confusing, but also prone to inaccuracy.  Everyone knows that when measuring a fluid it is done by volume, not time. Every dosing calculators out there uses volume. So, with the D?S (and the Apex Fusion interface) you simply enter the amount you want of each part of the additives (one on each pump) and what hours of the day you want it delivered. The D?S then sets up all the dosing intervals within that time period. When that time interval is finished, the exact volume you set has been delivered.  It even automatically chooses the slowest speed necessary for the pump so that it minimizes noise.

If you need to dose tiny amounts of a particular solution, element or other fluid (like vodka dosing or Zeovit systems), the D?S is the perfect solution due to its precision controlled stepper motor. This ability to control pump movement in such a refined manner means that you can dose all the way down to 0.1ml at a time!

When it comes to dosing, it all starts with the peristaltic pump

First, lets talk about the pump hardware. Be aware that not all dosing pumps are built alike. Well, lets clarify that. Almost all OTHER dosing pumps are alike – but most ALL OTHERS are very different from the D?S.Nearly all dosing  systems on the market today use a standard, DC brush-driven motor. Why? Because it is economical. This is the same motor you might find in your child’s toy car. We thought that was just not adequate for an aquarium where you might have thousands of dollars invested.  So, we spent over a year searching and testing pumps and motors and decided on using a pumps with industrial grade stepper motors in the D?S – the same type of motors used in high end robotics, 3D printing, and medical equipment. So, why does it matter?

Precision

With the stepper motor pumps on the D?S, you have precise control each time you dose. And, you are guaranteed it will stay calibrated pretty much forever. On the other hand, with the standard DC motor pump found in most dosing systems, it cannot dose small quantities with ongoing accuracy and consistency. They also require ongoing calibration to account for the wear of the motor and the mechanisms. When pumps fall out of calibration, they dose either too much or too little – never a good thing considering an overdose to a tank will often be its demise.

Variable Pump Speeds

One of the great features of the stepper motors on the D?S pumps is that they can be driven at various speeds depending on the purpose for which they are being used. For instance, dosing of vodka may require the slowest possible rotation while a water change use requires a much higher pump speed. The best part is that Apex Fusion wizards automatically select the proper speed based on the use and because of the stepper motor, accuracy is not compromised even at the higher speeds.

Gearing and Drive Mechanism

The DOS uses a direct drive mechanism that will not slip, it will not strip, it will not grind to a halt.  On the other hand, many other peristaltic dosing pumps used for aquariums have gears that can (and do) strip. Or, worse yet, some pumps work by using the friction of rubber rollers on the smooth metal motor shaft to make the pump spin. Foreign matter like salt creep, additives, etc. often get into the drive mechanisms of these pumps and make them fail or pump unknown amounts.

Lifespan

The stepper-motor in the DOS has a MTBF (mean time before failure) of 5000 hours. Other systems with brush-driven DC motor pumps have lifespans measured of just a few hundred hours of use. This means the pumps on the D?S may have up to as much as 12x the lifespan of others. 

Leak proof fittings are very important, not just because of the possibility of leaking fluid, but also because the leaking of air into a line would cause the pump not to meter the correct amounts.  The pumps on the D?S have sure-fit compression fittings that are virtually leak-proof. Contrast this to other dosing systems on the market that still use dual-barbed fittings that commonly split the tubing and cause leakage of fluids or air.Larger size tubing means that your pump does not have to work nearly as hard – or stay on for longer cycles. The most popular dosing pumps on the market use tube fittings with the tiny diameter of 1.67mm. The DOS uses much larger tubing and fittings. In fact, at 3.33mm in diameter, the pump on the DOS can handle 4x the flow of the most common pump style on the market (pictured).  This means that your pump (and motor) will run 1/4 the time to pump the same amount of fluid. Less run time means less wear on the pump mechanism, tubing and motor and extends your dosing pump’s life. Larger diameter fittings also eliminate clogging – a common issue when dosing various elements like Calcium, Alkalinity, or Kalkwasser on smaller tubing pumps.

Simplified Interface

The DOS easily connects to your existing Apex System via an AquaBus cable.  All configuration and control of your DOS is done through the Apex Fusion interface on your phone, tablet, or computer from at home or anywhere in the world! And, because there are two AquaBus connections, you can daisy-chain up to 10 DOS systems together.

The DOS was designed to compliment your aquarium – not just be a box that holds pumps. Its attractive enclosure has the pumps  rotated at an outward angle to allow for the tubing to be routed with no chance of kinking, even when placed on a shelf. The DOS are also designed for stacking and they can be daisy-chained together via the AquaBus ports. Even when stacked, all tubing can be easily routed kink-free. For those that prefer a wall mount, the DOS has easy to use slots in the back so you can attach it to a wall or to the inside of your aquarium cabinet. With the exterior design, component selection, and software functionality, the DOS communicates how much total effort we have put into this product to raise the bar not only for dosing systems, but for premium aquarium products overall.