You will need wifi and internet access to setup outputs and inputs since it needs cloud access to do that. You can override outputs to either On, Auto or Off in bluetooth. You can see the stat of inputs and outputs with bluetooth but you would have to be local to the controller.
Also you do realize the XP8 has only outputs and no inputs. So if you want to control for temp, pH or water level you will need another controller to go with it that has the input types you need. You will also need a control buss cable and 2 terminators to hook the two controllers together to form a collective.