Taking the plung into a controller Apex or GHL?

[aumoenoav]

How do you like the Director???

I love it. Precise and quality build fully integrated into my system and Triton method. It uses about 10-15 minutes for a test and not that much reagent use pr test (maybe 2-3ml without testing). Very consistant results.

 

[EmdeReef]

I love it. Precise and quality build fully integrated into my system and Triton method. It uses about 10-15 minutes for a test and not that much reagent use pr test (maybe 2-3ml without testing). Very consistant results.

Jealous! Still waiting for mine...

 

[Dumaurier7]

I went with GHL first and strongly regret it. Another reefer on R2R went from Apex -> GHL -> Apex and is much happier (unfair to tag him unwillingly)

The quality of the software is awful, and I don't mean user friendly, I mean flat out bug ridden. Tell the doser to use 0.5ml dosing amount, it will save 10ml 50% of the time. As someone who's built software for the last twenty years, I find it offensively bad and this is from someone who's written software to control hardware devices for half his career.

There are clearly people happy with GHL and people who've had their Apex flame out and are thrilled their GHL is working better for them.

For me. I regret buying the Mitras + Profilux + Doser and wish I would have gone Apex + Radion instead. The sheer number of hours I've spent fighting the lights / doser / controller / ghl web site to make it all work has really alot of the joy out of the hobby for me. Simply adjusting the lights slightly yesterday had me shaking my head while it took 10x longer than my old AI Prime.

EDIT: Some typos

That’s strange! My doser delivers the exact amount as programmed every single time and my Mitras are programmed (and re-programmed ) in 10 minutes without having to write one single line of code ( yes I also had lights controlled by an Apex ) which is unlike the Apex where you need to learn to write code which is almost always done wrong by “normal”people.

 

[HolisticBear]

That’s strange! My doser delivers the exact amount as programmed every single time and my Mitras are programmed (and re-programmed ) in 10 minutes without having to write one single line of code ( yes I also had lights controlled by an Apex ) which is unlike the Apex where you need to learn to write code which is almost always done wrong by “normal”people.

I wish I could record vine-style movies of the iOS app, I'd show you. If I need to adjust the doser, the only safe way without endangering my tank is to remove all the dosing tubes from the tank and fight the mobile app. I've written apps, console games, and desktop device drivers, so I'm hypersensitive to software bugs.

I agree nothing is perfect. Just responding to the original question of 'does anyone have regrets of going GHL'. For me, it was the wrong choice. The dosing issue is just one example.

 

[EmdeReef]

I wish I could record vine-style movies of the iOS app, I'd show you. If I need to adjust the doser, the only safe way without endangering my tank is to remove all the dosing tubes from the tank and fight the mobile app. I've written apps, console games, and desktop device drivers, so I'm hypersensitive to software bugs.

I agree nothing is perfect. Just responding to the original question of 'does anyone have regrets of going GHL'. For me, it was the wrong choice. The dosing issue is just one example.

Have you tried doing it directly through the GHL PC software (the name escapes me). And yes the apps need work.

 

[Dumaurier7]

I wish I could record vine-style movies of the iOS app, I'd show you. If I need to adjust the doser, the only safe way without endangering my tank is to remove all the dosing tubes from the tank and fight the mobile app. I've written apps, console games, and desktop device drivers, so I'm hypersensitive to software bugs.

I agree nothing is perfect. Just responding to the original question of 'does anyone have regrets of going GHL'. For me, it was the wrong choice. The dosing issue is just one example.

You being a software specialist will always find fault because you’ll look for things the average layman doesn’t . Even if the software needs work I can accept this because I know it’s continuously being developed, what was more critical for me was the overall quality, the hardware and the platform! Even With the “ substandard “ software ( as you described) my P4 (Mitras, doser, expansion box , power bars and probes just keep chugging along without a single hiccup !.........why do you think that is?

 

[pjr]

had both.... Apex has been solid and Internet access puts it over the top. GHL built superbly but no quality issues with Apex. And Fusion... whole new level of connectivity!

 

[GWHouston]

I doubt GHL will come out with automatic calcium and magnesium testing/correction. Imo it's just not needed, especially when using a balanced dosing system. I rarely test calcium, and magnesium even less. I know what they are generally before I test for them.


As for the OP question, I looked and researched long and hard both systems. I went back and forth, but eventually the design and lack of failures of the GHL helped sway me that way. Very happy so far, it's amazing the amount of features within the system.

GLH is coming out with a calcium probe too. Not sure when but got this from @Ditto who loves his GLH after switching from Apex.

 

[WWIII]

GLH is coming out with a calcium probe too. Not sure when but got this from @Ditto who loves his GLH after switching from Apex.

I wasn't aware that is something they are interested in releasing as a product for the hobbyist. I'm sure they have the technology already and if enough interest is there then that makes sense. For me personally it would have to be a pretty affordable device/probe to make that purchase. I'm waiting on my kh director now, but as someone who doses a balanced 2 part I rarely test for calcium and only make adjustments if I adjust my alkalinity dosage.

All in all it's a pretty exciting time in this hobby when it comes to these things! It will be interesting to see where it all goes and how hobbyist use the new equipment to make their reefs even more stable and spectacular!

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

I thought i would throw this in for what it is worth. I have heard that ghl is more stable but i dont know of this is simply a market share issue as neptune has sold waaay more units.

All things aside, it is the web interface that really makes the apex easy to use. Whenever i see something amiss, or i want the lights on, whatever, i just simply grab my phone. My phone controls everything and i always have my phone on me.

I dont have any idea what the ghl interface is but the apex interface works really really well. This is especially important for me as my sump is downatairs.

cheers

 

[GWHouston]

I wasn't aware that is something they are interested in releasing as a product for the hobbyist. I'm sure they have the technology already and if enough interest is there then that makes sense. For me personally it would have to be a pretty affordable device/probe to make that purchase. I'm waiting on my kh director now, but as someone who doses a balanced 2 part I rarely test for calcium and only make adjustments if I adjust my alkalinity dosage.

All in all it's a pretty exciting time in this hobby when it comes to these things! It will be interesting to see where it all goes and how hobbyist use the new equipment to make their reefs even more stable and spectacular!

Well this thread has made my decision that much more difficult. I have awhile before I have to make the decision since the tank isn't wet yet (mid Feb I hope). I was set on the Apex until reading different issues some are having. Decided on the GHL until reading these posts. I do love the offering of an easy to use app (I depend on them too much...Alexa, Iris, AI, ring, etc). If GHL doesn't come out with an app interface, that will make it easy for me. With the trident coming soon, that helps me even more. I guess in a nutshell, I'm looking for exactly what you said above..."new equipment to make our reefs more stable and spectacular" with a touch of easy.

 

[WWIII]

The new GhL Connect app makes things pretty clear and easy. As far as I know they are continually working to make it better and take into account suggestions from their users. I use the app almost exclusively now to monitor and control on a day to day basis. Here's a few ss of the app on my setup...

 

[Ditto]

The GHL app on the phone is really good and has come a long way in just the few months it has been out:

Very easy to use and to navigate broken down into sections and not thrown all on the home screen.








.

The app is not a mobile version of the myghl cloud site but access to the devices, and like @WWIII I use it a lot more now then the cloud service or the desktop software.

I am the one listed a few posts above who has switched from Apex to GHL with no regrets.

As part of my switchout I am working on a matrix comparing both, yes Apex does some things better then GHL, but GHL does some things better then Apex . When my switchout is complete I will post that matrix until then you can see some of those comparisons in my thread.

As for which one sold more units or has market shares, neither GHL or Apex have stated the numbers. I could counter the above statement stating the GHL continues to support the European Market as they release new products and backwards compatibility of new products as they are being released so one could infer they may have a stronger market in Europe then Apex but again with no market share data we may never know and does it matter it did not me.

The calcium tester is coming it was eve being mentioned at the time the P4 was being released where they stayed it was going to be compatible along with KHD tester with the P3.

In close there are some great examples and posts about both devices. The community on both controller families are good and informative with examples, videos and help.

 

[Buddah001]

I have received and installed my P4
This thing is awesome and I haven’t even programmed it do anything

 

[WWIII]

I have received and installed my P4
This thing is awesome and I haven’t even programmed it do anything

It is a very nice controller! Amazing when you get it and see everything involved.

 

[Buddah001]

My redox probe is measuring 107mv not sure if this is good or bad?

 

[WWIII]

My redox probe is measuring 107mv not sure if this is good or bad?

It will come up in the next day or 2. Not sure why that is, but should move higher and stabilize within a couple days at most. The rest of the probes should be pretty well spot on if calibrated correctly. Mine read 100 something for a day or 2, now in mid 300s.

In other words, that is completely normal

 

[Greenstreet.1]

How many power outlets do the GHL comes with ? Also as a full apex user if I’m making the switch what would I need to get with the unit ?

 

[Ditto]

It come with one power bar which is 6 outlet in total 5 which are switched outlets and one always on. Depending on what set you buy will come with the tempature probe, salinity, ph and orp probe.

What do you currently have on your apex setup?

 

[Daltrey]

I have an apex but will eventually switch to the ghl for no other reason except the white will match my build, ha.