Dose shape matter? What shape of dosing container do you prefer?

[Peace River]

Dose shape matter? What shape of dosing container do you prefer?

Dose shape matter? Please forgive the misspelling as an attempted pun. Today, we’re talking about the shape of dosing containers which come in several different sizes including cubes, cylinders, multi-compartment, and more. Do you choose different shapes for different things that you are dosing, or do you stay consistent with all your dosing containers? What size and shape do you prefer? Is there a benefit to one shape over the other? Did you DIY your dosing container solution or maybe use the product containers? Do you have any tips to share about selecting dosing containers? Let’s talk about the shape of dosing containers in the discussion.

Photo by @d2mini

 

[Eienna]

Square, unless it's kalk. Fits better in the stand, and seems less likely to fall over.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Mine are cylinder shape but overall it's a matter of preference and fit for given area and for me, amount of fluid volume is important

 

[Sean Clark]

Whatever container the stuff comes in works for me.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Squeeze bottle here

 

[hunterallen40]

I keep telling myself I'll buy a "real dosing container" instead of just using my one gallon milk jugs, but I have a really hard time justifying it. Other than a kalk stirrer (which I wouldn't call a dosing container), I can't imagine the shape having any impact (though I would love to know if there is a case someone knows about!).

 

[Kodski]

I think it greatly depends on what's available for space. Many reefers are limited by space and because of this, square or rectangular dosing containers will always be the most space efficient. But in terms of DIY and money efficient dosing containers, most containers will be rounded in some way. Like the DIY Voss containers, or just using gallon milk/water jugs, or even the BRS jugs.

I think the real determining question should be, how much do you really want to spend on dosing containers? $30 for a DIY solution, or $100+ on a nice acrylic off the shelf solution?

 

[GARRIGA]

Square anything better utilizes available floor space although in this case might be splitting hairs therefore likely irrelevant.

 

[Spicy Reef]

Square or rectangular hold more volume, but whatever there is on hand that fits is what works best

 

[Koh23]

As long as it hold liquid....

How much to spend? Nothing.

For every beautifull container there is someone tired of.... using it.

 

[Woodmanreef]

I use 5.5 gallon aquarium with the glas tops I then add a small pump in each one to mix up the brs powder with rodi

 

[slythy]

I use 1g jugs for alk and cal. I do like the simplicity 3x2L dosers as they have float switches built in.

 

[nereefpat]

6 gallon Oceanic salt bucket from about 10 years ago for kalk. So, I guess, cylindrical.

 

[vpierce3]

Definitely square or rectangle. Real estate under the tank is precious. So I prefer more efficient shapes that maximize the utility of the space that I have.

 

[Treefer32]

I didn't know you could get square dosing containers. Lol. I have the cylindrical dosing containers that came with my bubble magus doser 10 years ago. I still use all 3. I've also taken to reusing the 4 quart round vinegar containers from Costco. When the vinegar is gone of course. I rinse it out and add in my powders with a funnel, fill with RODI water, shake, and cap with a drilled hole and dosing hose.

Simple , but effective. Honestly at the amounts I dose, I almost would prefer to have a 2-3 gallon container of my alk solution, my calcium chloride solution, magnesium, and vodka solution. But for now, I use what i have. What's interesting to me, is the Bubble magus dosing containers have a line on them that say 1.5L. So, I buy a 1.5 L of vodka, and a little over half of the 1.5L bottle of Vodka fits in the container. Curious what measurements people use. Lol.

 

[Fish Styx]

I agree that it is a matter of preference and can't really see anyway in which it would impact the overall functionality. That being said, 1) I prefer cyclindrical; and 2) someone much smarter than me may be able to explain an impact based on shape.

 

[unchaotic]

I only buy the best for my tanks.

 

[Fishy888]

Like most others here I’m about whatever works in the space available. Of course how much you want to spend on containers effects all aspects of the shape, capacity, etc. As a budget reefer I’m going with DIY. My current system doesn’t need to be dosed yet but I used a DIY solution for kalk dosing in my last system. I’m going to use matching half gallon containers from Dollar Tree for my build. Since I only have 120 gallons of total system value I won’t need more than a half gallon for most things and they make a gallon sized container that matches the half gallon container.

 

[Fishy888]

I only buy the best for my tanks.

View attachment 3015222

Nothing wrong with that. I used a similar container for kalk in my last system.

 

[IamChrismWard]

I use these little food storage containers that you pick up at Walmart for 8 or $10 a piece. They have just about every size and shape you want so you can mix and match to fit the available space.