Automating your reef: What aquarium control system do you currently use?
- QUESTION OF THE DAY
- Thread starter Peace River
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fr3n0z
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Cheap homemade with Homeassistant, smart ph/sg/temp sensor and few power plugs. ATO homemade with smartplug and double float switch. A bit more tricky to setup but waaaay cheaper.
AquaLifeStudio
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We are heavily invested with GHL gear.
We've got three Profilux 4 controllers, three Mitras, three Doser Maxis, three Doser 2.1's, three KH Directors combos, one Ion Director combo (soon to be 2), two Expansion Boxes, and five PowerBars. We also have a bunch of sensors and controllable valves for individual tank top-offs and automatic water changes.
We basically run an automated fish store out of our house, with each Profilux controller responsible for a front end coral & fish retail system, a back end coral & fish quarantine system (not connected and in two different rooms), and our display tank that started it all. We save a ton of money in the long run by not having to pay for labor.
We've got three Profilux 4 controllers, three Mitras, three Doser Maxis, three Doser 2.1's, three KH Directors combos, one Ion Director combo (soon to be 2), two Expansion Boxes, and five PowerBars. We also have a bunch of sensors and controllable valves for individual tank top-offs and automatic water changes.
We basically run an automated fish store out of our house, with each Profilux controller responsible for a front end coral & fish retail system, a back end coral & fish quarantine system (not connected and in two different rooms), and our display tank that started it all. We save a ton of money in the long run by not having to pay for labor.
mxzx8004
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Hey - I am using Hydros. I bought my Red Sea slightly used and the person selling included a hydros X4 with XP8, PH/temp/leak/skimmer sensor and 2 dosing pumps for $720CAD so I grabbed it. I have been very, very happy with it so far. So much so I am now grabbing their ATO kit and another x2 to control it. A little mad their new X10 has a salinity port.. They need a smaller controller like the X2 to include that ASAP
c4haskett
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If you need another probe port you dont have to get the X10. You can get an X3. Pair it with an IV and salinity kit and your ready to go.
mxzx8004
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Wow okay thank you very much. Do you have a link for recommended IV/salinity kit?
c4haskett
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HYDROS iV Isolated Testing Vessel
Find premium aquarium supplies at Aquacave. we offer top brands like Tunze, Ecotech, and more. Free Shipping available!
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HYDROS Salinity Kit
Find premium aquarium supplies at Aquacave. we offer top brands like Tunze, Ecotech, and more. Free Shipping available!
aquacave.com
c4haskett
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HYDROS iV Isolated Testing Vessel
Find premium aquarium supplies at Aquacave. we offer top brands like Tunze, Ecotech, and more. Free Shipping available!
aquacave.com
HYDROS Salinity Kit
Find premium aquarium supplies at Aquacave. we offer top brands like Tunze, Ecotech, and more. Free Shipping available!
aquacave.com
YOYOYOReefer
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I see zero need for central controller. Why have one point of failure take everything down But yet I have controllers
Halides controlled by wifi timers
atos arefloat switches /litermeter pumps
ozone controlled by Milwaukee Orp comtroller
have second Milwaukee orp Monitor
ph have 2 Milwaukee ph controllers
water change is master flex pumps and those have thier own controllers
wave makers all have their own controller
skimmate locker works off air pressure switch controller
temp Controller. I use gear like ranco and Eheim glass heaters Which have their own controllers built in
battery backup is all based off rv solar components with charge controllers
Halides controlled by wifi timers
atos arefloat switches /litermeter pumps
ozone controlled by Milwaukee Orp comtroller
have second Milwaukee orp Monitor
ph have 2 Milwaukee ph controllers
water change is master flex pumps and those have thier own controllers
wave makers all have their own controller
skimmate locker works off air pressure switch controller
temp Controller. I use gear like ranco and Eheim glass heaters Which have their own controllers built in
battery backup is all based off rv solar components with charge controllers
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IMO - there is not a question if their inbuild bimetallic switches will burn together in the on position or not - the only question is when! And glass heaters in a saltwater aquarium - could easily end up with a grilled aquarium owner. IMO in a saltwater aquarium - only titan heaters with external controller should be used. If the titan heater is plugged into a grounded outlet - it will also serve as an ground probe.
Sincerely Lasse
MnFish1
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Don't know if my opinion matters at this issue - however - I would never touch another apex product. Not trying to be dramatic - but I gave up my reef tank due to this. Many others have happy experiences. I have not. When the product works - totally awesome - when not - not so much JMHO - I have no scientific evidence. Apex technical support is outstanding.
gbroadbridge
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GHL Profilux4
Rock Solid reliability has never failed.
Rock Solid reliability has never failed.
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My reef is heavily automatized. GHL P4. I know (because of high age) that the question for every technical product is not if but when it break down - hence, there is always spare parts in the drawer including a second controller. Of some reasons (mostly the same as above) my memory is a 15/15 teflon memory (it means either 15 years ago or 15 seconds) - the controller is necessary.
Sincerely Lasse
Last edited:
sugar
Active Member
I have the A3 Apex along with an IM Helio PTC temperature controller. I also have AI lights and Jebao wavemakers which have their own little controllers I suppose.
I mainly use the Apex as a monitor (set up with a few alarms) and the Helio is my only "real" controller!
I mainly use the Apex as a monitor (set up with a few alarms) and the Helio is my only "real" controller!
flashsmith
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The only thing I use other than lights is an ATO and it's on a float.. lol. I recently stopped using my doser pumps. It's far easier for me to add as needed. I could never keep my numbers consistent with an auto doser. Honestly if I felt like I needed to spend thousands on automation I would just hire a service to do it for me or buy a pass to an aquarium.
