for those experienced and possible traveling reefers I need advice

What is a good dosing pump to go with an apex or should I get there's because of the connectivity controllability? But looks expensive. Can I just go with like a BRS dosing pumps and just time thrm in one of the outlets? Not sure if I am getting this right.

 

I would say order of priorities would be doser - I have the bubble magus - and a controller.. And lately I have come a believer in the auto-feeder. The last couple weeks I have been trying out the one from life guard and I am now a big fan. I have been using the reef nutrition food designed for it - chroma boost. Small round pellets. It has helped me. The same one has been adapted to work with the apex. FYI the stock one is more than adequate without apex control

 

FYI my doser does not work with my controller. There is some merit to the combo for sure. I just bought my doser first. That said, it is easy to program but you have to change it manually.

 

I can see the need for the controller to monitor leaks and to take care of the daily chores like lighting, ato control, ph monitoring, ect. For the chemistry part, would it be possible to just do weekly water changes to keep the ca and alk in check? If so, that may be the most simple way to handle it so there isn't a great need for testing and adjusting doses.

 

Yes, you can simply use the BRS dosing pumps, but you will use up one outlet for each. No big deal so long as the 6 remaining outlets on the EB8 will cover your needs.

Agree on the priority note, but for you I would go with BRS pumps controlled by the Apex. This way, you have the ability to make any adjustments as necessary remotely while you're away.
Neptune's integrated autofeeder is quite nice; I've been using one several months now. An autofeeder is a nice touch and something else probably worth your while, but as Matt points out, you probably don't need the $100 Neptune one if cost is an issue.

Possibly. What's your Alk consumption like over the course of a week without any kalk dosing?

 

I am in the midst of getting my alk stable. Even with dripping kalk, I am finding I still need to add a little soda ash to keep stable. I do find this a little odd since I do not have SPS and only have a couple LPS ( I posted this issue awhile back on another thread since my alk dropped to 5.6dkh at one time). I found once I started a regime to get alk back up the coraline algae growth really kicked in and seemed to soak up the alk as fast as I can put it in, however, calcium never dropped that much. BTW just pushed the order button on the apex controller I also purchased IO break out box (more for future use), magnetic probe holder, BRS dosing pumps (I would have bought the APex dosing pump but it looks like you can only preorder it right now). I am still deciding on the auto feeder! the apex feeder did not get such great reviews but they could have addressed by now. I will look into the LIfe Guard as Matt suggested but I do have my kids and wife to feed. i was planning to fill a series of those weekly pill boxes so they do not overfeed. I have done this in the past on vacations where I can even split out frozen food and put in freezer. Also, going to order to webcams for one on tank and one on sump. Do you think my work will reimbure me for all these expenses for the project relocation (lol) becuase my wife is about to kill me? I told my wife that these items will only help me in building a much bigger tank when I get back home which she didn't find funny.
Anyway hoping to get it by Friday because I want to ensure I get this system locked down before I leave. thak you all I am sure I am going to have many more questions

 

Update. Thank you a again. I am sitting here in Munich Germany and can see my fish swimming in my DT and my sump system as well. Through 2 webcams. Also can see temp and PH on apex and all of what is going on through log display. I went from kalk drip to auto dosing with apex so very curious to see readings when I get home later today. ( been here a week). This is a nice test for next year I have made redundancies on Ato and heater. The only other thing strongly considering is the auto feeder to lighten load on wife. I will give another post about alk and cal levels when home

 

GREAT news Bob!