Help me further automate my system

t5Nitro · Aug 27, 2020

I've searched old threads but there's so much information out there I'm wondering if anybody has bought all of the above and has come to a conclusion that they like X over Y.

I'm looking into aquarium controllers, whether it be apex versus GHL, or something simpler such as an Alktronic just for alk measures.

I had an apex jr years ago that I'm not sure I did anything with other than have it control my lights on a timer and shut them off if the temperature got too high. Looking to see how things have changed now and if one of these systems is worth it to my current equipment.

My water changes are automated through litermeter 3.
My heaters are controlled on an inkbird (debating changing to ranco or if a future controller will just monitor this).
I just picked up a KASA smart outlet 6 plug for extra plugs which monitors energy usage, google assistant voice control and ability to control on/off from anywhere using their app. For example, I have my orphek light bar plugged into here now as the app lets you set on/off schedules for each individual plug (great for the orphek supplemental LED bar as it does not connect to their gateway).
I've never thought an ORP and conductivity probe was useful. I don't think I need that now.
Are the pH and temperature probes reliable or is something like a ranco better than an aquarium controller probe for the temp?

My biggest thing that I wanted to upgrade is the old bubble magus dosing pump (2 of 3 pumps work) to something different like the GHL 4 pump doser which I know can also be a standalone unit.

I'm almost wondering if a GHL doser along with an Alktronic for daily alk measures is all that I really have left that's fully useful? Am I missing key components to having the full aquarium controller system? Not entirely sure what I need yet or should look into, I just know that I'd like to automate my reef tank as much as possible.

Thanks!!

t5Nitro · Aug 27, 2020

Edit to mention that I can even plug my skimmer into the kasa power strip and set it to turn off 8 hours every night, just an example as I know some people have told me they turn their skimmers off at night to let coral feed on nutrients. The smart plugs themselves seem to have nice capability with this as an example.

Philly Reefer · Aug 27, 2020

Just giving my opinion since I recently got an ApexEL.

I like to watch graphs of my temp and pH. I also can check when tunze ato/ heater turned on
1 button push for feeding time. Turned off my return pump, slow mp10, turned off heater, turned off skimmer(15mins delay on), and turned off Ato(delay on for1 hours)
1 button push for turning off skimmer
1 button push for maintenance.
Got a breakout box so no.2 to 4 is using physical switch. And switch for under the tank light.
Piece of mind with the leak detector that will turned off everything automatically
Outlet programming.
Alarm notification(piece of mind)
1 interface to do all of the above.

I was not planning to get the apex/ghl this soon. But I lucked out and won it. I would have been in your shoes too which one I want.

Here is a link from a youtuber/reefer that compare the apex vs ghl

t5Nitro · Aug 27, 2020

aior0s said:
Just giving my opinion since I recently got an ApexEL.

I like to watch graphs of my temp and pH. I also can check when tunze ato/ heater turned on

1 button push for feeding time. Turned off my return pump, slow mp10, turned off heater, turned off skimmer(15mins delay on), and turned off Ato(delay on for1 hours)

1 button push for turning off skimmer

1 button push for maintenance.

Got a breakout box so no.2 to 4 is using physical switch. And switch for under the tank light.

Piece of mind with the leak detector that will turned off everything automatically

Outlet programming.

Alarm notification(piece of mind)

1 interface to do all of the above.

I was not planning to get the apex/ghl this soon. But I lucked out and won it. I would have been in your shoes too which one I want.

Here is a link from a youtuber/reefer that compare the apex vs ghl

Thanks!! This is what I'm looking for as far as how you're using it as well. Just going through, kindly I know everyone has their own preferences, but I'm looking at what sounds like it would work for me and what wouldn't. 1. I would like to see the temp and pH graphs, I agree that this would be useful. 2-5 I likely would not use from a controller. 6. Leak detector I haven't thought about but that's pretty neat. 7. Outlet programming is great and something the KASA is giving me 6 plugs to do so with currently. 8. Alarm notifications sent to phone I would definitely like to have. 9. Interface with everything in one place is nice, but it seems like I've eliminated the need for most of the above.

Great video. I watched the first one you linked so far but will keep watching the series. The more I review these controllers the more I think what I'm mostly "needing" is automated testing. Ca/Alk/Mg from a trident would be nice and graphed out in their interface. I can get Alk from GHL's KH director or with a standalone unit from Alkatronic. Right now I'm still unsure which one would be most useful and most reliable. I know that I do want GHLs dosing pump but that as well can be run as a standalone unit. I know that I want to try and get away from checking alk 1-2 times a day with the Hanna checker if possible. It isn't a huge time commitment of course, but the idea of looking at a graph with numbers automatically populated 1 or multiple times per day just sounds so simple, as long as the auto testers are reliable.

Philly Reefer · Aug 27, 2020

t5Nitro said:
Thanks!! This is what I'm looking for as far as how you're using it as well. Just going through, kindly I know everyone has their own preferences, but I'm looking at what sounds like it would work for me and what wouldn't. 1. I would like to see the temp and pH graphs, I agree that this would be useful. 2-5 I likely would not use from a controller. 6. Leak detector I haven't thought about but that's pretty neat. 7. Outlet programming is great and something the KASA is giving me 6 plugs to do so with currently. 8. Alarm notifications sent to phone I would definitely like to have. 9. Interface with everything in one place is nice, but it seems like I've eliminated the need for most of the above.

Great video. I watched the first one you linked so far but will keep watching the series. The more I review these controllers the more I think what I'm mostly "needing" is automated testing. Ca/Alk/Mg from a trident would be nice and graphed out in their interface. I can get Alk from GHL's KH director or with a standalone unit from Alkatronic. Right now I'm still unsure which one would be most useful and most reliable. I know that I do want GHLs dosing pump but that as well can be run as a standalone unit.

Both GHL and Apex has dosing pump. And of course apex has trident too. GHL has the kh director.

A third option would be alkatronic and dosetronic.

Or reefbot. I only heard but have not look into that.

For now I dont have the need for dosing. But in the future, I would most likely expand throughout my apex infrastructure