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Home > Aquarium Supplies > Used By LiveAquaria® > Neptune Systems DOS Dosing and Fluid Metering System
Neptune Systems DOS Dosing and Fluid Metering System
Neptune Systems DOS Dosing and Fluid Metering System
Neptune Systems DOS Dosing and Fluid Metering System
Additional sizes may be available!
Additional sizes may be available!

Please Note: Return of electrical equipment for exchange or store credit is limited to 30 days from the date of purchase. Beyond 30 days, please contact the manufacturer for repair or replacement as covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Returned products must be unopened and in the original packaging to receive full store credit. Products that have been opened, used, or lightly used, will incur a 15% processing fee. Upon receipt of the returned product, store credit will be applied, minus the processing fee.

 
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Overview

*Multipurpose, software driven system for precision aquarium dosing
*Accurately dispense liquid aquarium additives down to 0.1ml at a time
*Dose 2-part solutions (calcium/alkalinity) in reef aquariums with ease

Software-driven aquarium dosing system you control with your smart phone, tablet, or computer - from at home or anywhere in the world! Neptune Systems DOS Dosing and Fluid Metering System takes aquarium dosing to the next level of convenience, precision, and ease. Connect to your existing Neptune Systems AquaController Apex or Neptune Systems AquaController Apex Jr and access the Apex Fusion interface for unprecedented control.

Neptune Systems DOS Dosing and Fluid Metering System is a multipurpose 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

Connect your Neptune Systems DOS Dosing and Fluid Metering System to the optional Neptune Systems DDR DOS Dual Reservoir for convenient storage of dosing fluids and to enjoy added Apex functions including text or email alerts.

Specifications
Size (Approx.) Weight (Approx.) Lift Height Suction Height Flow Rate Power Requirement Requires
9.5" x 5" x 5" 4 pounds 24 feet (minimum at MSL) 24 feet 0.1ml - 250ml/min (Variable) 110/120V or 220/24oV Apex, Apex Lite, or Apex Jr.

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 is 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 Neptune Systems 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 DOS (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 DOS 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.

Water Changes - The never-ending chore of an aquarium
Hate doing water changes? - everyone does - so they never get done as often as they should. Not only that, water changes are disruptive to the stability of your system since all of that change is happening at once.

With the DOS all you do is place your empty vessel and your fresh stock of saltwater under your stand. Then, with the Apex Fusion wizard just tell it amount of water you want to change over what length of time and the hours of the day you want it to happen and it figures it all out for you. It will perform an automatic, continuous water change for you. It gets better. If you have the dual optical water sensing accessory, Apex Fusion will send you an email or text message letting you know it is time to change out the jugs. Less time pumping, siphoning, and sloshing water and more time enjoying a great aquarium.

Micro Dosing of Elements
If you need to dose tiny amounts of a particular solution, element or other fluid (like vodka dosing or Zeovit systems), the DS 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!

How is it built?
When it comes to dosing, it all starts with the peristaltic pump.

First, let's talk about the pump hardware. Be aware that not all dosing pumps are built alike. Well, let's clarify that. Almost all OTHER dosing pumps are alike - but most ALL OTHERS are very different from the DOS.

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. Neptune Systems thought that was just not adequate for an aquarium where you might have thousands of dollars invested. So, Neptune Systems spent over a year searching and testing pumps and motors and decided on using pumps with industrial grade stepper motors in the DOS - the same type of motors used in high end robotics, 3D printing, and medical equipment. So, why does it matter?

Stepper Motors Make all the Difference
Precision
With the stepper motor pumps on the DOS, 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 DOS 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 5,000 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 DOS may have up to as much as 12X the lifespan of others.

Secure, Large Diameter Tubing Connections
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 DOS 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 - common issues when dosing various elements like Calcium, Alkalinity, or Kalkwasser on smaller tubing pumps.

Simplified Interface
Though nearly all interaction with the DOS will be done through the graphical user interface on Apex Fusion, there still is a need simplified user interface on the DOS itself. This is accomplished using a multicolor indicator for each pump to show its status as well as a button to be used for priming the pump or for use during a calibration process.

Replacement Parts
With any peristaltic pump, there are parts that must be replaced due to wear and tear. Most people think this is just the peri-tubing itself. However, in addition to the tubing, wear and tear occurs on the roller mechanism as well. That is why Neptune Systems only recommend changing out the pump head mechanism entirely.

Changing out the peristaltic pump head on the DOS is a snap. Literally! All you need to do to change out the pump tubing is squeeze the pump head, remove and replace with a new one. No screws, no impossible snap on covers, no fussy loose rollers to mess with and no impossible-to-find-tubing to track down. And, because you are changing out an entire pump head, you have the peace of mind knowing that all the pump parts that can wear out have been replaced.

AquaBus Connection to your Apex
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 home or anywhere in the world! And, because there are two AquaBus connections, you can daisy chain up to 10 DOS systems together.

Accessory Port
The DOS has an accessory port that will enable it to be connected to upcoming optional accessories like the DDR - DOS Dual Reservoir. This accessory has two separate 2-liter cylinders for holding your additives. It also has optical sensors at the bottom that tell the Apex when it is time to refill and it then can send you an email or text alert. Another future accessory will be a set of two optical level sensors you can install in the water change vessel (jug/Rubbermaid/brute) of your choice.

Quiet Operation
Neptune Systems understand that aquariums are supposed to be serene. And noisy pumps often ruin that mood. So the Neptune Systems engineering team has taken extensive steps both in how the pump operates as well as the enclosure design to ensure that the DOS system is one of (if not) the quietest stepper motor-driven dosing systems on the market for the fluid volumes it delivers.

Stylish yet Functional Design
The DOS was designed to complement 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 Neptune Systems put into this product to raise the bar not only for dosing systems, but for premium aquarium products overall.

It doesn't get easier than this!
In a nutshell using the DOS is as simple as telling the Apex Fusion DOS wizard how much fluid (in ml) you want to pump, and over what time you would like it to happen. The DOS takes it from there and figures out what speed to run the pump and the exact amount of fluid will be dispensed over that timeframe.

Customer Testimonials


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