Automating your reef: What aquarium control system do you currently use?

[1112-425XL]

Hydros Control XP8 and X3

 

[MnFish1]

Can you comment on your post? The colors look great?

 

[Rewd]

3 tanks, all hydros controlled and love it. I was away from reef keeping for a decade and after returning, I think controllers (specifically hydros) are about my favorite thing that has developed since leaving the hobby. These controllers have helped me eliminate so many things that I hated from my first tanks including manual water changes lol.

 

[d2mini]

GHL Profilux. Chose it around 12 years ago due to reliability reports and it was no lie.
No issues to speak of over all this time.

 

[1112-425XL]

Can you comment on your post? The colors look great?

The Hydros XP8 Controller has lights to show active outlets. It also has a border light that I can set to turn off at night.

 

[JoJosReef]

Lights: on their own schedules
Return pumps: on a wifi power strip timer
Gyre: on its own program
Dosing: AFR from a single dosing head
Testing: Every few days Salifert/Hanna
Feeding: Eheim autofeeder + 2x dosing pump heads for Reef Nutrition + 12in pipette for me to feed by hand
Skimmer: still in the box
UV: running
Heat: Helio set to 78F, Inkbird with Finnex at 78 set to turn on if temp drops to 75
Cool: Inkbird with 3x USB fans set to turn on at 79F and off at 78F

Not sure what a really expensive controller is going to accomplish besides make me stress more about levels of this or that.

 

[shwareefer]

Apex Classic. zero problems. If it ever dies I'm not sure what I will do because the orange plastic thing has horrendous reliability comparatively (especially the EB832) and the Hydros is like old satellite packages - this package will give you everything you want except that channel, you need to add another package for that.

 

[Cary Meredith]

I went Apex, got the Pro and all the gadgets including multiple DOS, Sky Led's and Trident. Love being able to test everyday and automatically adjust dosing for the big three.

 

[zoomonster]

Neptune Aquacontroller II up to current orange plastic junk (already had to replace one head, an EB832 and constant issues with probes). Only reason I even went there is classic died. Total love hate relationship but mostly hate lol. With invested time and money just haven't found anything else remarkable enough to make me take the leap to a different controller.

 

[argiBK]

I use several…

Reef Factory
- Alkalinity management
- Dosing
- Adding their ReefMat in the next week

Hydros
- pH Monitoring
- Skimmer + Scrubber (recirculating)
- Hi/Low ATO Automation

Kessil + Orphek
- Lighting

AI
- Neros and Water Flow

 

[Mark Goode]

I use the thrice-cursed Neptune Apex.

 

[bushdoc]

My tanks are controlled by Apex, which I program.
My wife controls me.

 

[shakacuz]

ink bird thermostat. other than that, i have individual monitors like the milwaukee mc120 pro, and a co2 monitor from amazon. GHL proflux or hydros could be options for me in the future if i ever go the controller route.

 

[Minifoot77]

I got the hydros im sure I'm not using it to its potential but I keep adding to it and I like it so far...

 

[cwerner]

I'm using a Hydros system on my 50 gallon. You might have more functionality with other solutions, but mine has done everything I've needed to and then some at a price point lower than most of the other brands. Here's what a currently use it for:

1. Temp Monitor and Control
2. PH Monitor
3. Flow Control and Schedule
4. Feeding Schedule
5. Auto-Water Changes
6. Auto Top off
7. RODI Reservoir top-off
8. Saltwater Mixing control

Been great so far and very reliable. There are some gotcha's, just like with any niche software. I've been pretty happy with it so far.

 

[fishface NJ]

My hands

 

[rtparty]

As of the time of this comment, I find it very interesting that 41 people are turning their lights on and off by hand daily and also plugging their heater in and out whenever needed.

That is some serious dedication! Bravo

 

[tsharpe291]

I use apex that Was all I knew after reef keeper, but starting to dabble with hydros

 

[katonge]

Neptune Apex - Trident. I feed by hand unless I’m away other than that most things are automated. Neptune Alert saved my tank the other day. I was away from the house & I got an alert that the tank temp was up to 80. Looking it over I realized one of the heaters had been switched to the ‘on’ position rather than ‘auto’ Quick fix & all was well.

 

[OU812Reefing]

Automating your reef: What aquarium control system do you currently use?

We haven’t taken a survey on aquarium controllers lately. Whether it is the Apex, GHL, Hydros, or some other type of controller (or maybe a hybrid mix), automating a tank brings assistance and consistency a reef tank. This isn’t a place to bash other controllers or those who have selected another different brand of controller, but feel free to share what type of aquarium controller (and let us know if you don’t use a controller) and the related pros and cons. Please take the poll and then share your thoughts on your aquarium controller choice!

Photo by @iancosford


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tckcorals.com

I have Hydros control X2 X3 and XS no regrets