Best aquarium controller?

[Stege_saurus]

I know nothing about aquarium controllers other than they can control the aquarium and send notifications of things are askew, and possibly remotely fix the errors. With that being said, im in the market for an aquarium controller that can monitor different elements in the tank (calcium, nitrate, phosphate, etc..), have the ability to send notifications to my phone or other device, and be fairly easy to use. Suggestions?

 

[landlubber]

A Neptune Apex paired with a Trident is what you're after.

 

[HotRocks]

Apex with a Trident would give you monitoring of:
Ph
Temp
Salinity
ORP
Calcium
Alk
Mag
There are other modules you can add for oxygen, par, flow, ATO, dosing, etc.

GHL
will soon be able to match I do believe. @Brew12 is a GHL guru.

 

[bluprntguy]

Nothing I know of does everything that you are looking for right now. The two major options are Neptune and GHL.

 

[Darrell Brady]

Mind Stream if you just want to monitor parameters.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Im glad that I have two tanks with Apex , making me not partial (impartial).
I love the Apex units especially since they run smoothly. When they don't, they can be very frustrating.

I will always praise and recommend the reefKeeper units. Although they are no longer in production, there are plenty of used ones out there as low as $80 for basic 4 outlet and they are super reliable, easy to set up, easy to read display and die-hards. . . . They just keep working. I have one on my drop-off tank and refuse to replace it. It is always reliable and doing what I hope for.

 

[SPSReeferMI]

I know nothing about aquarium controllers other than they can control the aquarium and send notifications of things are askew, and possibly remotely fix the errors. With that being said, im in the market for an aquarium controller that can monitor different elements in the tank (calcium, nitrate, phosphate, etc..), have the ability to send notifications to my phone or other device, and be fairly easy to use. Suggestions?

I’m very new to having the Apex controller - I’ve had mine for 4 months. I have several of the expansion modules including the Top off kit (ATK), 2 feeders (AFS), the DOS (doser), DDR (reservoir for doser), WXM (to control Ecotech MP40s) and Neptune’s return pump. I don’t have the trident.

I think the ability to remotely monitor a system is what convinced me to buy the Apex. It does control most of the functions on my tank as well. I point out that there is a difference and it’s probably a good practice to start with monitoring and then move into controlling gradually. For monitoring, I’m very happy to see these things from my phone:
- my return pump is running
- my water level has been topped off
- when my heaters turn on and off
- how much energy is being used
- view/adjust my refugium lighting schedule
- my skimmer is running (maybe I should turn it off b/c I forgot to clean it)

Also, you can set alarms for a lot of stuff. For example, my tank alerts me when:
- Water is detected on the floor
- Temperature, conductivity, pH, ORP is out of range

I will say that calibrating these probes took me longer than I cared to spend getting them to a point where I was happy.

I went away for a weekend early into owning my Apex. My ORP started to dip during day 3, it dipped enough that the alarm went off. I didn’t over react, but I was wondering if I had a problem. Sure enough, I set my fish feeders to dispense too many pellets and they were getting stuck in my filter. The ORP was detecting this. After I fixed the problem and did a water change, it started to raise to normal levels. This example sort of sets the Apex high on my list of things I’d recommend to others.

For reference, I have 10 years of experience in our hobby and I have a degree in computer science. So.... let me just say that I can appreciate the finer details that Neptune has done to create a coding language, make their configurations semi-user friendly (I say that because it does require research), put the interface into the cloud (at no additional cost, most services like this have a monthly fee), and provide an app that works on Apple and Android pretty darn well (I’m sure someone has issues, but my experience has been flawless).

 

[Brew12]

Apex with a Trident would give you monitoring of:
Ph
Temp
Salinity
ORP
Calcium
Alk
Mag
There are other modules you can add for oxygen, par, flow, ATO, dosing, etc.

GHL
will soon be able to match I do believe. @Brew12 is a GHL guru.

GHL has everything on that list but the calcium and magnesium but those should be available soon. They should also have NO3 testing available soon. They are looking at PO4 but it is proving challenging because of the very low concentrations in most tanks.

If I were going to recommend a controller I would worry less about its automated monitoring and more about its programmability. The Apex has a nicer web interface and is easier to do the basic programing. The Profilux is easier to do more advanced programing, and I have found it to be more reliable.

 

[Elmervc15]

My wify controlling my wallet

 

[Style68]

GHL has everything on that list but the calcium and magnesium but those should be available soon. They should also have NO3 testing available soon. They are looking at PO4 but it is proving challenging because of the very low concentrations in most tanks.

If I were going to recommend a controller I would worry less about its automated monitoring and more about its programmability. The Apex has a nicer web interface and is easier to do the basic programing. The Profilux is easier to do more advanced programing, and I have found it to be more reliable.

I agree with Brew12. I have had the Apex and switched over to the GHL. Not because I felt GHL was better but because to me it has a better looking design and uses expansion slots instead of external parts like the Apex. The Apex GUI interface is better looking and easier to understand, but once you get familiar with the Profilux it can be rewarding on what you can do. I do miss the IF-Then type programming that the Apex offers but you can't go wrong with either one. Being that the Apex is from the US it is easier to find parts and accessories, but more internet retailers are supporting the Profilux so you no longer have to rely on GHL's own store.

 

[Conor_K]

I have no experience with apex, but I did a lot research for almost two years before I had to choose my path. And the goal for my path was based on contol, not parameter testing.

GHL won out hands down.

My reserach pointed to experienced long term reefers loving GHL, reefers who seemed to have a strong grasp on the attributes I thought were importent. Longetivity, stabilitiy, accuracy, reliability, easy expansion, no gimmicks.

I dont want flash. I want my controller to last. I dont want ease of use, I want the ability to be intricate. I want my controller to do whatever I want it to do and I’m willing to put the time in to make it so. I want my tank to command space, not my controller.

I dont want bulky orange components.
I want my reef to shine, not my cabinet.
Though ghl can make your cabinet shine(or blink, or glow) too if you care.

A year later, I’m completely satisfied.

My probes are still spot on, my doser is rocking, my ato and awc work flawlessly, i know what my tank is doing at all times, and I have no doubt this equipment is going to last (including my used Mitras that are kicking butt and putting out more par than I need at basic settings).

I have many more programs to come as I grow as a reefer and I know this equipment can do it with no worries about having to buy new stuff in 2 years.

So you can call me a fanboy at this point, but after spending as much time as I do on these forums, I’d be willing to bet a large amount you would be too, if you decide to buck the orange norm and take the plunge into ghl.

This path requires some patience, some intelligence, and some humility.. but if you want a succesful, LONG TERM tank, I suggest you endorse those qualitities.

You dont hear from us GHLer’s much, because we dont have too many issues....

My super biased 2 pennies....

 

[porter_painter]

To answer the OPs question, the best aquarium controller is the GHL Profilux 4.

Others may disagree, but they are wrong.

 

[Ditto]

As a user of both, if your looking for reliability and stability it is GHL hands down.

A very comprehensive thread on some of the differences between the two controllers (Neptune Systems/ GHL) can be found here. It is a long read put provides examples, and insight into the differences of the controllers. How they do things, interface examples, and even charts

Switching Controllers from Apex to GHL

The title of the thread says it all. I am not going to bash Neptune systems, all I am going to say mine crashed again, and the word fluke in the technical response left me going I cannot take any more chances. This was my second hard crash of the system, where both time the system came up in an...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I'll never reef without a controller again. I have an apex on my current tank and a GHL waiting for my next one. I want to run both so I cam compare, but what I already know is that both are good options

 

[Brew12]

I'll never reef without a controller again.

You reef???

I thought you had left the hobby based on your build thread updates.

Build Thread - Daniel's Reef Savvy 50g Cube - A Recovering Build...

www.reef2reef.com

;Troll;Troll;Troll

 

[shred5]

I own two older Apex... I have not upgraded to the new Apex but it looks and feels much cheaper. It just looks like a toy more than something I can rely on.. I know you do not base you decision on looks and more on how it works. Just wish they got rid of that ugly orange.

I do own some GHL products but none of their controllers... They are harder to use but feel much better constructed...

My next controller purchase will be a GHL or no controller. I am seriously thinking of getting away from controllers. I just do not use them for much..
I may just opt for the GHL mini since I use my controller for very little now since most equipment comes with a controller that does more.

All I really need is something for my lights and heater.

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

I think if your really computer friendly and know systems then by all means select one. However (and I’m going to make myself sound dumb), for example I havnt even had a smart phone for maybe a year maybe tad longer and I do okay. Except the other day I couldn’t do anything because I had no clue what java script is and honestly still don’t. But it completely hindered where i couldn’t search or anything unless it was enabled. Now working on my second year of residency lol (in school it’s not something we really went over). But a co worker had to show me how to. But hey I learned how errr sorta.

So if your like me I keep my tank super simple, I top off my own water, I read the temp by seeing a thermometer on my tank. I test my water by hand daily or every other day (alk and calcium daily (for the moment it was consistent now usage varies). But magnesium I have my lfs test.

I say this because yes I’m making myself sound dumb (I’ll admit), but I don’t have the computer background or time in to know what to look for when the system breaks. Apex and ghl are probably great systems, but if something fails (and I this hobby almost everything does at some point), I want to be able to fix before my tank dies. If I’m the one doing the testing, etc and dosing I know exactly how much I put in. Now are the controllers more consistent in a day (yes) will it prevent swings (hopefully), but let’s also look at the flip side. If we make our tanks super super stable no swings at all, what does this do to the coral (mostly) when it does swing. Their own immunity can not handle the change and it kills them.

Not to mention, where I live (sadly it’s a whole new housing section in Boise), but we (meaning my neighbors don’t have access to Internet yet). Most of these use Internet at some point. I’m still on the waiting list for Internet to even be installed. Now that’s probably not an issue for most but, when I lived in my place for school and parents gosh our internet always went out.
When the Internet crashes, how does this system help you?

Which leads me to my main point, if you don’t know your own system, and monitor on your own, how will you know it say when the internet goes down, or when a module fails and chaos happens? How fast can you fix things before it’s too late. Yes technology is wonderful and there is a reason at work (where we have unlimited technology, but we have an IT department). The less things I have on my tank means the less things can break and easier to solve the problem when time is absolutely critical.

Also I’m not saying don’t get one etc just saying if your like me lol (I can say that I’m dumb because I am when it comes to this), but would never assume anyone else. But if your not computer or super tech savoy, (your own brain) definitely can out think any controller, and be more precise.

 

[shred5]

When the Internet crashes, how does this system help you?

It doesn't and for me it makes it worse.

This was not a issue when my Apex was hard wired but on wireless it drops from the network all the time. It does it everytime the power drops for a few seconds. It just never comes back on the network. My only option is to add a UPS for the apex and the bridge and another for my router.. I really do not want to because the locations really have no room for a UPS and it is just more one more thing to go wrong.

Most of the time when I am out of town I can not access the Apex anyway. I rely more on my camera. I think being able see what is going on is better anyway.

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

For example for a while I have been thumbing the idea of building a new house because of my new tank that I’m going to set up. I have considered using a controller but again like others have said Internet may be an issue. Which errr I just now learned they can be hard wired for internet which is fabulous of course internet would be nice if it was available to my house lol.

 

[Snookin]

Hello,

I think if your really computer friendly and know systems then by all means select one. However (and I’m going to make myself sound dumb), for example I havnt even had a smart phone for maybe a year maybe tad longer and I do okay. Except the other day I couldn’t do anything because I had no clue what java script is and honestly still don’t. But it completely hindered where i couldn’t search or anything unless it was enabled. Now working on my second year of residency lol (in school it’s not something we really went over). But a co worker had to show me how to. But hey I learned how errr sorta.

So if your like me I keep my tank super simple, I top off my own water, I read the temp by seeing a thermometer on my tank. I test my water by hand daily or every other day (alk and calcium daily (for the moment it was consistent now usage varies). But magnesium I have my lfs test.

I say this because yes I’m making myself sound dumb (I’ll admit), but I don’t have the computer background or time in to know what to look for when the system breaks. Apex and ghl are probably great systems, but if something fails (and I this hobby almost everything does at some point), I want to be able to fix before my tank dies. If I’m the one doing the testing, etc and dosing I know exactly how much I put in. Now are the controllers more consistent in a day (yes) will it prevent swings (hopefully), but let’s also look at the flip side. If we make our tanks super super stable no swings at all, what does this do to the coral (mostly) when it does swing. Their own immunity can not handle the change and it kills them.

Not to mention, where I live (sadly it’s a whole new housing section in Boise), but we (meaning my neighbors don’t have access to Internet yet). Most of these use Internet at some point. I’m still on the waiting list for Internet to even be installed. Now that’s probably not an issue for most but, when I lived in my place for school and parents gosh our internet always went out.
When the Internet crashes, how does this system help you?

Which leads me to my main point, if you don’t know your own system, and monitor on your own, how will you know it say when the internet goes down, or when a module fails and chaos happens? How fast can you fix things before it’s too late. Yes technology is wonderful and there is a reason at work (where we have unlimited technology, but we have an IT department). The less things I have on my tank means the less things can break and easier to solve the problem when time is absolutely critical.

Also I’m not saying don’t get one etc just saying if your like me lol (I can say that I’m dumb because I am when it comes to this), but would never assume anyone else. But if your not computer or super tech savoy, (your own brain) definitely can out think any controller, and be more precise.

All of this means nothing for many people who travel a lot. If someone never leaves their home, doesn’t travel for work, never goes on vacation, etc. Then a controller can be considered an unnecessary piece of equipment. But, you are probably in the minority here. Not many people can commit to manual daily maintenance, dosing, ato, etc on a tank.