Gtinnel
10K Club member
The trident and controlled dosing is the part that made me wonder how I managed before having it. Those two components cost more than the controller itself, but they are well worth it IME.
How many are using controllers
- Thread starter mdb_talon
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Chrisv.
2500 Club Member
I really got a lot of utility from the ph controllability and temp controllability. I was using a calcium reactor with several different fail-safes to protect from low display ph, and kalk dosing to keep pH up when it was driven down at night. Back in the halide days, it was nice to use an apex to turn on the chiller when the tank got hot, to turn on a fan if the chiller was having a problem, to turn off the halides but keep actinics on if the chiller and fan were somehow not enough.
Also I really loved being able to graph pH.
I will really enjoy the newest version with automated testing and dosing when the time comes. For now I am still using the apex but on a small and much less complex AIO. Tough to justify the new version before I do a big upgrade (pending).
elcapitan1993
Well-Known Member
I would love a GHL maxi!!! I wish they weren’t discontinued, I am selling all my apex gear buts it’s a sad day when you realize that GHL discontinued the DOS equivalent on there system
elcapitan1993
Well-Known Member
I have a full apex and a full GHL setup (other than the maxi) I loved them both they take a great deal of stress off of daily/weekly tasks that I just don’t have the time for, I decided I’m done with Neptune and going all in with GHL
SuncrestReef
That Apex guy
Apex user since 2018. I liked it so much that I wrote a whole series of Apex tutorials to help other reefers get the most of their setups:
www.reef2reef.com
Articles by SuncrestReef
www.reef2reef.com
mdb_talon
2500 Club Member
Thanks for everyone's responses. I put off a controller for a long time. Then finally got a big apex bundle in the spring but ended up sending it all back i decided it was not for me i already heavily utilized wifi strips, dosers, leak alert systems, ato, and had ph/temp controllers that worked great. I just saw how much most people raved about their apex and decided to give it a try. For my use the only extra benefit i got(that i cared to take advantage of) was the trident and i was unhappy with that. Also liked the graphing for the ph and alk but was just not enough to make me think it was worth it
Now i am looking to setup a seperate system of tanks in the same room(about 250g in the system). Since now i dont already have the wifi strips, dosers, ph/temp controllers, etc for the new system i am considering a controller again. Will go with GHL this time if i do it, but love to see all the responses everyone has.
Now i am looking to setup a seperate system of tanks in the same room(about 250g in the system). Since now i dont already have the wifi strips, dosers, ph/temp controllers, etc for the new system i am considering a controller again. Will go with GHL this time if i do it, but love to see all the responses everyone has.
Schraufabagel
aka Schrauf_den
I use a Hydros X2 and a Hydros XS for my AIO reef tank and freshwater planted tanks
X-37B
Fight The Good Fight
I had an apex since startup and never set it up and sold it.
My powerheads have controllers.
I run my carx with no ph probe or controller.
Someday maybe I will look again at one. Maybe on an upgrade.
My powerheads have controllers.
I run my carx with no ph probe or controller.
Someday maybe I will look again at one. Maybe on an upgrade.
ReefingwithO
Well-Known Member
Hydros user here, I’ve used them all.
apex before the 2016 version was great. Had a lot of eb832 failures with the new version.
I missed the trident although I wish it was better built.
I like ghl hardware but connecting it to pc and the web interface is bad compared to the rest.
I’ve been using the hydros since day 1 and I like it. There’s some things I missed but I can deal with it. It’s so much cheaper to do simple things
apex before the 2016 version was great. Had a lot of eb832 failures with the new version.
I missed the trident although I wish it was better built.
I like ghl hardware but connecting it to pc and the web interface is bad compared to the rest.
I’ve been using the hydros since day 1 and I like it. There’s some things I missed but I can deal with it. It’s so much cheaper to do simple things
elcapitan1993
Well-Known Member
I thought about trying the hydros but it seems more complicated than even GHL stuff, plus they don’t have any dosers AWC systems or automatic water testing devices “a huge loss in my book”
ReefingwithO
Well-Known Member
They are working on it.
the kamoer x1 has already been developed for the hydros where it uses a drive port instead of a power cable.
I think they’ve hinted that the calcium reactor fxstp and the Kamoer water change pumps are next
what I also like if you necessaril need “modules” - at least initially. You can plug optical sensors, solenoids, flow sensors right into the main controller sense ports.
Susan Edwards
5000 Club Member
Have the apex and most everything. New tank upgrade. Not hooked up yet. Need to get a control panel done first so I'm not plugging in and unplugging and driving myself nuts
Lbrdsoxfan
5000 Club Member
Exactly what I did for a few years, went with a cheap apex classic and two EB8's and never will look back. Nothing was wrong with my old setup, just a kludge using so many apps. If/when the Apex classic craps out I'll try a Hydros, Apex has left a semi bad taste in my mouth on some lingering issues with it's equipment.
Lbrdsoxfan
5000 Club Member
Agreed no plans to go to the 2016 model either. Got my setup: classic controller, x2 EB-8's, and a EB-4 for under 300 bucks. Just needed a ORP and a PH probe to get started. Only addition was a PM2, which was a waste of my time (money) ultimately.
Would not be reefing without an Apex or some other controller. I have an Apex classic on my Nano and a 2016 on my new Waterbox 180. Doing this new build without auto water changes was not an option. I haven't had any issues with my Apex that wasn't solved by me learning how to use it properly. Planning on getting a Trident soon. That was another non-negotiable condition of getting a new tank.
jsker
Reefing is all about the adventure
I switched out to a GHL Maxi, what a difference. Just an FYI, the DOS can move volume over 50 feet. The DOS can be located somewhere else, for example a closed room or a garage to shield the noise of the DOS.
I have the original Apex on my 180G that controls everything (High tech FW Planted) and I have been accrewing parts for my 70G reef build (new apex, dos, trident etc)
I travel for a living so a controller is a must.
I travel for a living so a controller is a must.
