Review: TMC EASI-DoseA fi rst look at the systemBy Richard Aspinall

TMC’s new REEF range is aimed squarely at advanced aquarists

and includes some pretty good looking kit that will be in the stores by the time this article goes to print. The skimmers look particularly interesting with some models off ering DC controllability. This review, however, will look at the various components within the REEF range that combine to create a comprehensive dosing system, in this case built around the EASI-Dose 3.

Dosers are used to provide controlled amounts of liquids based upon and determined by the methodology used to maintain water parameters in an aquarium, but generally the more demanding an aquarium is in terms of mineral replenishment and trace element supplementation then the more useful a doser becomes. Couple this with a Balling (or increasingly Triton), style dosing regimen to maintain calcium, magnesium and alkalinity levels (along with other elements, depending upon your particularly chosen strategy), and before you

Richard looks at some of the key components in the new REEF range by TMC.

Images: Richard Aspinall

strategy), and before you

know it, a three-channel doser is a must and you’re well on your way to considering adding a slave unit.

What you need then is a well thought out, customisable and capable dosing system, which I’m pleased to say the EASI-Dose range provides.

Whilst I’m looking at the EASI-Dose 3, with its three dosing pumps, I should note that there is a single and a double pump version and even better, all three of the dosers can be attached to one or two separate four-channel slave units if needed. Each master unit has two data cable ports on the rear for attachment to slave units and automatically recognises the slave unit when powered up and adds each pump number to its list. On the rear of the master units, two ports marked ‘PC’ are also present which, according to TMC: “will allow us (in the future) to add functionality and allow the EASI-Dose to communicate with other devices.” Intriguing, what do they have in the pipeline?

Setting UpSetting up is very straightforward. The master unit is supplied with a PSU, a length of silicone hose and connectors to link the hose to that in the dosing pumps themselves. Non-return valves are also included and are recommended to be placed in-line into the inlet of the pump. The instructions take you through this stage easily. Once you’ve decided where the doser will reside, you can then cut the supplied hose accordingly and connect to the containers. A four-way clamp is also available that will hold your output pipes in your sump or aquarium, but you need to buy this separately.

To make mounting the unit easy, a shelf is available which can be wall mounted or screwed into the inside of a cabinet. I’m happy to say the shelf is robust and looks like it won’t crack as some cheaper ones can. If you are planning to run a slave unit then the master and slave could, I suppose, be stacked on top of each other,

The EASI-Dose 3 resting within its shelf

Four channel slave unit

but I think an extra shelf would be best as the shelves have a lip that holds the unit in place and stops it falling if you snag the dosing lines when rummaging around in your sump. I should add that a smaller shelf is also available for the EASI-Dose 1 and EASI-Dose 2.

The EASI-Dose range includes several containers for liquid. I’ve had a look at the three chamber unit that holds 1.5 litres in each and is perfect for dosing ‘the big 3’. Single 1.5 litre, 2.5 litre and 5 litre containers are also available which means you can really tailor your dosing regimen. The containers are made from clear acrylic and have push fi t piping that then connects to your silicone hose. The three chamber model (and I see no reason why the others shouldn’t be the same), is well fi nished and put together, with all acrylic hinges and markings to show the internal volume.

Many years ago, some peristaltic pumps were quite rubbish to be frank, but these days it’s hard to fi nd one that

Issue 49 BY.indd 18 08/12/2014 12:53:57

 Review: TMC EASI-Dose 3

19December 2014

Three-chambered container provides 4.5 litres in total

December 2014

isn’t perfectly suited to the job, these are no exception. The pumps can be easily dismantled to replace the hose should you need to – it’s the same stuff that’s supplied for connecting the pumps to the containers. Anyone who remembers having to lather silicone grease onto some of the older peri pumps will be pleased with these straightforward and easily replaced pump heads – you never know, you might break one and knowing that spares are available is reassuring, I note that you can also replace

the motors if need be. Time will tell if the motors and heads are long-lasting and of course their lifespan will depend on number of revolutions.

Programming the unit is straightforward, you use the buttons to scroll through the options and to move between settings, again the instructions are really good as is the on board menu system. It’s quite capable and can dose the selected volume (0-999mls) up to 24 times per day with a three minute pause built-in between each pump activation to stop the solutions interacting with

each other. I’m pleased to say I got it set up and running within minutes. In case you’ve never used one of these before its worth noting that the ‘manual feed’ button overrides the programming for any selected pump, activating it and dosing the solution until you release

the button. You’ll need to do this to prime

the unit after you refi ll or carry out maintenance, to ensure your dosing

schedule remains on

track.

Programming the unit

More info:www.tropicalmarinecentre.co.uk

EASI-Dose 3 £179.99Slave £139.99

Shelf for EASI-Dose 3 and Slave £22.994.5L (3 x 1.5L chambers) £34.

Thinking about accuracy, I carried out a small test to see how reliable the dosing volume is, asking each individual pump to dose fi rst 10mls and then 100mls, This showed me that there was a very slight variation, but at the level of 2-4 percent, so not worth bothering about at all. I honestly don’t think it matters one iota and I’d bet every doser on the market has some variance. TMC state that it is accurate to fi ve percent.

OverallIn conclusion I can fi nd nothing to fault the EASI-Dose range. It does what is asked of it, it is fl exible, customisable and will grow with you, meaning it is also good value for money. The instructions are also clear and well-written, the build quality is great, and the display is easy to read and the buttons

responsive. If you haven’t yet got a dosing system, then consider this one, it’ll be a sound investment.

The pump heads are easily serviced

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