Add Simple Doser

Dosing pumps are economical and efficient for adding food, minerals, and trace elements to your aquarium. The HYDROS system is fully compatible with basic dosing pumps triggered automatically when powered.

Here is what you’ll need to get started:

• A Simple Doser Pump  
• Information on the pump’s dosing rate. How many milliliters per minute does the pump run when powered?
• An open Drive port (12V) for compatible pumps or an open XP8 outlet. (We do not recommend running dosing pumps over WiFi outlets). 

Step 1: Create the Simple Doser Output

1. From the STATUS screen on your HYDROS app, tap on the three horizontal dots to the right of the OUTPUTS label and select “Add New Output.”
2. Tap on the + symbol at the bottom right of the page
3. Type in the name of your new output and then tap “Create.”

Step 2: Configure your Simple Doser

• Type: Select Simple Doser
• Flow Rate (ml/min): You specify your pump’s flow rate here. If the pump manufacturer states that the pump runs at 1.1ml/m, then slide the dot on the bar to select 1.1ml.  
  
  TIP: If you do not know the pump’s running rate, please refer to “Determining Dose Rate” at the bottom of this page
• Output Device: Here, you select the location where the Simple Doser pump is physically connected to
• Power Safe Range: It allows you to specify an “acceptable” power use range. If power consumption is outside the range, a notification will trigger if selected.
  
  WARNING: This option is NOT available if the “Output Device” is assigned to an outlet that cannot monitor power, such as a WiFi Strip outlet.
• Power Notification Level: It allows you to select the notification level that triggers if the power consumption falls outside the “Power Safe Range.”
  
  WARNING: This option is NOT available if the “Output Device” is assigned to an outlet that cannot monitor power, such as a WiFi Strip outlet.
• Notify When Reservoir Level Below (0=Never): This option allows the HYDROS to remind you when the dosing container is getting low. The HYDROS keeps track of dosing volume and will compute when the container is nearing empty. 
  
  TIP: To add volume to the container, return to the STATUS screen and tap on the Simple Doser. On the STATUS popup, you will enter the reservoir’s volume.
• Notification Level (Reservoir Low): This option allows you to select the notification level you will receive when the reservoir is empty. 

Step 3: Save

• Upload your changes to the cloud. 

Step 4: Define the Dosing Regimen Schedule

Now that you have configured your pump, you need to tell the HYDROS control “How & When” to run the pump by creating a Dosing Regimen. For instructions on how to create a Dosing Regimen Schedule, click here.

One-Time Manual Dosing

Define Reservoir’s Volume

1. Return to the “Status” screen and find your new dosing pump. Tap on it to open the “One Time Manual Dosing” popup.
2. Under “Reservoir,” you can “Add” or “Set” the initial volume of your reservoir.  

Prime the Simple Doser

To calibrate the unit, it is necessary to prime the line first. This involves getting rid of all the air from the lines. Here are the steps to prime the line:

1. Place the output line of your dose in a container or drain.
2. Perform a “One-Time Manual Dose” until all air is purged from the line. You might have to do multiple manual dosings depending on the length of your line.
3. Once you see liquid exiting the output, the line is primed.  

Calibrating the Simple Doser

To ensure accurate dosing, it’s best to calibrate your doser periodically based on usage and wear and tear. We suggest calibrating every 4 to 6 weeks.

If your doser lacks a calibration feature, fret not. The HYDROS can be adjusted for any deviation in the doser’s output.

To do this, you will require:

• Simple Doser Pump (primed)
• Measuring/Calibrated beaker
• Manufacturer’s dosing rate

1. Open the HYDROS app and go to the Simple Doser setup page. Then, under “Flow Rate,” select the manufacturer’s specified rate (milliliters per minute) and upload the changes.
2. Insert the primed doser output line into a measuring/calibrated beaker.
3. Perform a “One-Time Manual Dose” that equals the manufacturer’s specified flow rate in ml/min. It will trigger the HYDROS to run the pump for EXACTLY one minute.  
4. Remove the line from the beaker and read the volume inside.  
5. Go to the Simple Doser setup page on the HYDROS app and enter the new reading under “Flow Rate.”  
6. Upload your changes.

To confirm the calibration, do a new “One-Time Manual Dose” for the new volume. Then, after the HYDROS runs the pump for precisely one minute, the volume on the beaker should be the same as you requested!  

If the confirmation fails, then:

1. Return to the Simple Doser setup page on the HYDROS app and enter the new reading under “Flow Rate.”  
2. Upload your changes.
3. Confirm reading again.

Determining Simple Doser Flow Rate

Here is what you will need:

• Simple Doser Pump
• Measuring/Calibrated beaker

If your Simple Doser flow rate is unknown, you can follow these simple steps to obtain it:

1. Connect your Doser to power and prime the line following the directions provided by the manufacturer.
2. Once the line has been primed, insert the tube into the measuring/calibrated beaker.
3. Power the Simple Doser and run it for exactly 1 minute with a ready stopwatch.  
4. Remove the line from the beaker and read the volume. This is the flow rate of your pump and the number you will need to enter on the “Flow Rate” field when creating your Simple Doser OUTPUT on the HYDROS app.

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