Thinking of controller purchase

[Rrb1399]

Thinking of making the splash into a controller I really like the ghl . The hydros looks to be promising as well . I just need something simple with basic readings ph/salinity /. Has to have upgrade ability for the big three down the line . What would you recommend for a60 gallon mixed reef

 

[mike550]

Thinking of making the splash into a controller I really like the ghl . The hydros looks to be promising as well . I just need something simple with basic readings ph/salinity /. Has to have upgrade ability for the big three down the line . What would you recommend for a60 gallon mixed reef

I did a comparison of features I wanted and then compared GHL and Apex. I ended up with Apex because of form factor and the seemingly larger user base. Programming seemed easier etc.

Now that I’m about six months in and more comfortable with controllers I think GHL might have been the better choice based on my needs.

 

[Snoopy 67]

Salinity probes are finicky to say the least so I say don't even bother.

 

[ReefLaw]

I agree, don't worry about salinty. Ph is crucial though. I really like my coralvue hydros control 4. It's been smooth for the past 4 months.

 

[n2585722]

Thinking of making the splash into a controller I really like the ghl . The hydros looks to be promising as well . I just need something simple with basic readings ph/salinity /. Has to have upgrade ability for the big three down the line . What would you recommend for a60 gallon mixed reef

The Hydros Control 4 will measure temp, pH and ORP and you would have three sense ports left for other devices. When you are ready for more just add another Control device and start a collective. Then act as if they are a single controller. I currently have 5 control devices in a collective. I also have the Digital Aquatics Archon controller but it is only controlling lighting and has the leak detectors on it. I have been slowly transferring things over to the Hydros system. It is easy to setup and so far I have not found anything that the Hydros won't do that the Archon could do other than the Hydros has no salinity input as of now. The salinity was not stable enough to trust using it to control anything anway. Any time the readings would change from the normal expected it was an issue with the probe and not an actual shift in the water. The Hydros can interface with the Alkatronic via WiFi.

The question is what do you intend to control with the controller? Find the one that best suits those requirements for you.

 

[Rrb1399]

The Hydros Control 4 will measure temp, pH and ORP and you would have three sense ports left for other devices. When you are ready for more just add another Control device and start a collective. Then act as if they are a single controller. I currently have 5 control devices in a collective. I also have the Digital Aquatics Archon controller but it is only controlling lighting and has the leak detectors on it. I have been slowly transferring things over to the Hydros system. It is easy to setup and so far I have not found anything that the Hydros won't do that the Archon could do other than the Hydros has no salinity input as of now. The salinity was not stable enough to trust using it to control anything anway. Any time the readings would change from the normal expected it was an issue with the probe and not an actual shift in the water. The Hydros can interface with the Alkatronic via WiFi.

The question is what do you intend to control with the controller? Find the one that best suits those requirements for you.

I guess mostly it would be for stability for levels and ato. I’d like to have an ammonia or nitrate readings

 

[n2585722]

Not sure ammonia would be worth it. Once a tank has cycled there is no need to check for it unless you have had a die off event or something similar. I have not check for ammonia in over 5 years. I think all of the controllers mentioned have ATO covered. Nitrare is one of the things that the Mastertronic is suppose to check. It is also suppose to be accessible via wifi on the Hydros. I guess it will have the same interface as the Alkatronic which is currently accessible with the Hydros.

 

[Rrb1399]

Not sure ammonia would be worth it. Once a tank has cycled there is no need to check for it unless you have had a die off event or something similar. I have not check for ammonia in over 5 years. I think all of the controllers mentioned have ATO covered. Nitrare is one of the things that the Mastertronic is suppose to check. It is also suppose to be accessible via wifi on the Hydros. I guess it will have the same interface as the Alkatronic which is currently accessible with the Hydros.

What does alkotronic control ?

 

[n2585722]

What does alkotronic control ?

It is a alkalinity controller.

 

[goggs29]

I switched from apex to hydros. It has more choices of control and can act as several brain units instead of one