The Reef Factory Dosing Pump is a programmable peristaltic dosing system designed for reef aquariums, available in 2-head and 4-head versions that integrate with the Reef Factory Smart ecosystem via Wi-Fi and the KH Keeper app. If you're looking for a dosing pump that connects to the Reef Factory system and lets you control doses remotely with detailed logging, this is a strong choice. It's competitive with the Neptune DOS and IceCap Doser for precision and connectivity, and it's priced in the $80-150 range depending on configuration.
This guide covers the Reef Factory Dosing Pump's features, how it compares to alternatives, how to set it up, what dosing schedules work for different tank types, and what the Reef Factory Smart ecosystem connection gives you in practice.
What Is the Reef Factory Dosing Pump?
Reef Factory is a Polish aquarium technology brand that makes a range of smart aquarium devices, including their KH Keeper (an automated alkalinity controller), Smart Power units, and their dosing pump. Their product philosophy centers on connectivity: all devices communicate over Wi-Fi and sync to the Smart Reef app, giving you monitoring, alerts, and control from your phone.
The Reef Factory Dosing Pump comes in two configurations:
2-head version: Two independent channels, each with its own peristaltic pump head. Used for standard two-part dosing (calcium + alkalinity in separate solutions, or Part A + Part B of a two-part supplement like ESV B-Ionic or Two Little Fishies Two-Part).
4-head version: Four independent channels. Used for more complex dosing regimens including magnesium supplementation, trace elements, amino acids, or additional additives on separate schedules.
Each pump head delivers doses as small as 0.1 mL per dose, which is meaningful precision for reef tanks where over-dosing alkalinity or calcium can cause precipitation events.
Setup and Calibration
Setting up the Reef Factory Dosing Pump takes about 20-30 minutes.
Physical Installation
The pump mounts on the side of your sump or aquarium stand with the included brackets. Route the silicone dosing tubes from the pump heads down into your dosing containers (usually 1-liter or 2-liter bottles of pre-mixed supplement) and the outlet tubes into your sump.
Priming the tubes: Fill the dosing containers, then run the pump in prime mode through the app (or manual prime button) until liquid appears in the outlet tubes. This purges air from the lines.
Calibration
Peristaltic pumps deliver accurate volumes only when calibrated. The Reef Factory app has a built-in calibration wizard: set a known volume, run the pump, measure the actual output with a graduated syringe or measuring cup. Enter the measured volume and the app adjusts the internal flow rate calculation for that head.
Calibrate each head separately. Different tube diameters and wear states mean each head may deliver slightly different volumes at the same nominal setting. I recommend calibrating every 3-6 months as tube wear affects flow rates.
Wi-Fi Connection
The pump connects to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (5GHz is not supported). The app connection is straightforward: scan the QR code on the unit, enter your Wi-Fi credentials, and the pump appears in the Smart Reef app within a few minutes.
Once connected, you can set dosing schedules, view dosing logs, set up alerts (low container level warnings, missed dose notifications), and adjust doses remotely.
Dosing Schedules for Different Tank Types
How you program the dosing pump depends on what you're dosing and how much your tank consumes.
Two-Part Dosing for SPS-Dominated Reefs
A mature SPS reef with 50-100 medium colonies might consume 50-100 mL per day of each two-part component. Spreading this into 8-12 doses per day (rather than one large daily dose) reduces the spike-and-dip swings in alkalinity and calcium.
Program the pump to dose every 2 hours, 12 times per day. If your daily need is 60 mL, each dose is 5 mL. This keeps alkalinity variation to less than 0.3-0.5 dKH per dose rather than 1-2 dKH with a single daily dose.
Mixed Reef with Moderate Coral Load
For a mixed reef with mostly LPS corals and some soft corals, consumption is lower. 20-40 mL per day is typical for a 100-150 gallon system. 4-6 doses per day keeps parameters stable without wasting supplement.
Magnesium Supplementation
Magnesium depletes more slowly than calcium or alkalinity. Most reef tanks need supplementation roughly every 2-3 days rather than daily. Use one head on the 4-channel version for magnesium, set to dose 3-4 times per week.
For comparisons between Reef Factory and other dosing pumps, see our Best Dosing Pump for Reef Tank guide.
Reef Factory Ecosystem Integration
The Reef Factory Dosing Pump connects to the broader Reef Factory Smart system, which includes:
KH Keeper: An automated alkalinity titration system that measures your tank's alkalinity automatically and can adjust dosing pump output in response to measured changes. This is the closest thing to a closed-loop alkalinity controller available at the consumer level. The KH Keeper retails for around $300-400 and becomes significantly more powerful when paired with the dosing pump.
Smart Power: Reef Factory's smart power strips with individual socket control, energy monitoring, and scheduling via the same app.
Hub: The central controller that connects all Reef Factory devices and enables cross-device automation (e.g., "if KH drops below 7 dKH, increase dosing pump output by 10%").
If you already use or plan to use the KH Keeper for automated alkalinity testing, the Reef Factory Dosing Pump is the natural companion. Together, they automate the most time-consuming maintenance task in a reef tank.
If you're not using other Reef Factory equipment, the dosing pump's Wi-Fi features still work standalone and the app is usable without additional devices.
Reef Factory Dosing Pump vs. Alternatives
vs. Neptune DOS (Dual Optical Sensor)
The Neptune DOS integrates with the Apex controller ecosystem. If you're already running an Apex, the DOS is the natural choice. It's more expensive ($200+) but the Apex integration allows extremely complex conditional dosing logic. For non-Apex users, the Neptune DOS requires purchasing an Apex first, which raises the cost significantly.
vs. IceCap 2K Doser
The IceCap 2K Doser is a budget-friendly 6-head doser that connects to the IceCap app. It runs around $80-100 for the 4-head version. It lacks the deep ecosystem integration of Reef Factory but provides comparable physical performance. A good choice if you don't want ecosystem lock-in.
vs. Kamoer FX-STP2
The Kamoer FX-STP2 is a well-regarded 4-head peristaltic doser with its own app and a good track record for reliability. It's comparable in price to the Reef Factory and similarly precise. It doesn't integrate with any larger controller ecosystem.
The Reef Factory pump stands out when you're buying into the Reef Factory ecosystem or specifically want the KH Keeper integration. As a standalone doser, it's good but not uniquely better than the IceCap or Kamoer alternatives.
See our Best Aquarium Dosing Pump guide for a full comparison across all major brands.
Dosing Container Sizing
The size of your dosing containers affects how often you need to refill them.
For a mature SPS reef consuming 80 mL/day of each two-part component, a 1-liter container lasts about 12 days. A 2-liter container lasts about 25 days. Most reefers find 2-liter containers to be the convenient size: enough capacity for roughly monthly refills without being so large that the solution degrades before use.
Pre-mixed two-part solutions (like ESV B-Ionic) have long shelf lives once mixed. DIY two-part (mixing raw calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate in distilled water) is cheaper per unit but requires you to mix fresh batches more often. A 4-liter batch costs about $2-5 in raw materials vs. $15-25 for a pre-mixed liter.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Inconsistent dose volumes: Peristaltic pump tubes wear with use, slightly expanding and delivering more volume over time. Calibrate quarterly and replace tubes annually or when calibration drift exceeds 5%.
App not connecting: Ensure your phone and the pump are on the same network. The Reef Factory devices use 2.4GHz only. Many modern routers broadcast a combined 2.4/5GHz network where the 5GHz is preferred by phones. If connection is unreliable, set your phone to 2.4GHz only during the initial pairing.
Low container alert not triggering: Check that the alert is enabled in the app settings and that your notification permissions for the app are active on your phone. The low alert typically triggers when the remaining volume drops below 20% of the entered container size.
Air bubbles in dosing tubes: This happens when containers run dry or when tubes aren't fully primed. Run the prime function in the app until the tube is completely liquid, then resume the schedule.
FAQ
Can the Reef Factory Dosing Pump be used without the Smart Reef app? The pump can run a simple schedule programmed via the physical buttons on the unit without app access. However, the full feature set (logging, remote alerts, KH Keeper integration) requires the app and Wi-Fi connection. If you experience Wi-Fi outages, the pump continues running its last programmed schedule independently.
How accurate is the Reef Factory Dosing Pump? After calibration, accuracy is typically within 2-3% of the target dose. For reef dosing purposes, this is more than adequate. Alkalinity targets are usually ±0.5 dKH, and 2-3% error on a 5 mL dose is about 0.1-0.15 mL, which won't meaningfully affect your water chemistry.
Does the Reef Factory pump work with any two-part supplement? Yes. The pump heads are just peristaltic pumps; they don't care what solution runs through them. Use any two-part system (ESV B-Ionic, BRS Two Part, Tropic Marin, or DIY solutions). The only requirement is that solutions are low viscosity (water-thin) and don't contain large undissolved particles that would clog the pump tubing.
How often should I replace the dosing tubes? Reef Factory recommends replacing tubes annually under normal use. If you notice dose volumes creeping upward during calibration checks, that indicates tube wear. At 2 mL per dose, 12 times per day, a single head runs about 8,760 doses per year, which is moderate use. I've seen good tubes last 18 months and poor-quality replacement tubes start drifting at 6 months.
Conclusion
The Reef Factory Dosing Pump is a solid, well-connected option for reef dosing that earns its place most clearly in Reef Factory Smart ecosystems paired with the KH Keeper. On its own merits, it delivers precise peristaltic dosing, reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, and a clean app interface. Calibrate it quarterly, split your daily dose into 8-12 micro-doses rather than one large daily dump, and replace the tubing annually. Those three habits will keep your calcium and alkalinity stable and give your corals the consistent chemistry they need.