When did you buy your controller?

Zach W · Jan 6, 2020

I currently dont have a controller, and have never had one on my current tank. I am planning an upgrade to a WB 180.5 and I do want to incorporate a full controller setup, either Apex or GHL but that is a decision for a different time. My question is if I should purchase the full controller setup right off the bat when I am setting up the tank, or would it be fine to incorporate when the tank has cycled and stabilized a couple months in? I guess in my mind I would rather incorporate after awhile when the tank is able to handle SPS, but I dont want a major headache trying to do it after the fact. Thanks!

Crabs McJones · Jan 6, 2020

I didnt use a controller for years, dipped my toes in with the reefkeeper and then a week later they went out of business. So black friday of 2018 I bought an Apex EL and I love it

destro · Jan 6, 2020

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer here.
If your budget allows for one right away, then do it. Otherwise, just wait for a good deal when one becomes available.

What major headache is there?

I waited to get mine during the holidays and saved almost 15%. Guess where that saving went to? Yes, more corals and salt please, thank you!

saltyhog · Jan 6, 2020

I bought my Apex within a couple of months of setting up my first tank. Unfortunately that means it's so old I can't use any of the new fancy stuff like Trident!

It's not required to be successful but it makes life easier, allows me to monitor the tank remotely and it has saved my bacon at least a couple of times with heater malfunctions.

Zoajohn · Jan 6, 2020

Bought a used orange label apex here this summer and it is the best decision I’ve ever made. Keep an eye out on the classified and you can get a full setup for $250-300

Zach W · Jan 6, 2020

Crabs McJones said:
I didnt use a controller for years, dipped my toes in with the reefkeeper and then a week later they went out of business. So black friday of 2018 I bought an Apex EL and I love it

Awesome! Good to hear. I guess my only concern would be if I need to install a flow meter in my plumbing which would be a pain im assuming. Not sure I would need that in the grand scheme of things though

Crabs McJones · Jan 6, 2020

Zach W said:
Awesome! Good to hear. I guess my only concern would be if I need to install a flow meter in my plumbing which would be a pain im assuming. Not sure I would need that in the grand scheme of things though

It's probably nice to know flow rate, and be able to tell when pumps need to be cleaned or to get alerts if the pump stops, but i've never utilized one.

Zach W · Jan 6, 2020

saltyhog said:
I bought my Apex within a couple of months of setting up my first tank. Unfortunately that means it's so old I can't use any of the new fancy stuff like Trident! It's not required to be successful but it makes life easier, allows me to monitor the tank remotely and it has saved my bacon at least a couple of times with heater malfunctions.

This is exactly why I want one, going on vacation is a stressful time instead of a relaxing time because I dont know what is going on with my tank!! Haha

rfgonzo · Jan 6, 2020

I still have original Apex when they started. Has made reefing much easier.
I don't need the latest and greatest and don't care about monitoring my tanks when i'm away, so the old Apex works fine for me . I have insurance if something goes wrong.

steallife904 · Jan 6, 2020

Had my Apex for nearly 10 years. Wouldn't you know I have had no issues and this weekend the display went blank

. Its blue but nothing on it. Now need to re figure out how to update and all (haven't done in years). That was only problem with the old apex, you practically had to be a computer hacker to figure it out but hear the new one is light years ahead.

vangvace · Jan 6, 2020

Zach W said:
My question is if I should purchase the full controller setup right off the bat when I am setting up the tank, or would it be fine to incorporate when the tank has cycled and stabilized a couple months in?

You can easily wait to install later, but there is something really nice about setting everything up when there isn't water in the way. It can give you time to rethink and plan without feeling pressured for having pumps off if things don't quite line up correctly. That said... I am redoing most of my sump and stand innards for a better layout 6 months after the tank went wet for not being patient enough in the beginning.

As for which controller... a better question is what do you want to control?

AllSignsPointToFish · Jan 6, 2020

I bought mine within six months of starting the tank. I had already decided to automate some things for increased stability and monitoring.

Zach W · Jan 6, 2020

vangvace said:
As for which controller... a better question is what do you want to control?

Great question! I want to be able to have a fail safe for my heaters, and control my pumps. I also want to be able to monitor parameters and dosing (do you have to use DOS or can apex control other dosers?) Auto feeder would be nice as well. Mainly to be able to monitor and correct even if I am not at home.

Like I mentioned I have never used one though so I am not the most familiar with the full capabilities of the system!

vangvace · Jan 6, 2020

Zach W said:
Great question! I want to be able to have a fail safe for my heaters, and control my pumps. I also want to be able to monitor parameters and dosing (do you have to use DOS or can apex control other dosers?) Auto feeder would be nice as well. Mainly to be able to monitor and correct even if I am not at home.

Like I mentioned I have never used one though so I am not the most familiar with the full capabilities of the system!

Either would be able to fail safe heaters and control pumps.

Both can monitor (Temp, pH, Redox*, Conductivity*) out of the box. The * is excluded from the Apex el and P4e.

Apex can monitor and control Alk, Ca, and Mg with the Trident. GHL currently controls Alk. Ca, Mg, K, Na, and NO3 control is coming in the spring, but we haven't seen it testing live yet.

Apex's autofeeder is available while GHL's is to be released at some point.

For Apex, you have adjustable control via the DOS or through power plug timers for say a BRS doser. GHL is the same in that they only adjustable control their own doser pumps and plug timers. GHL's advantage comes from them have a DOS equivalent and a 2-4 head unit.

For comparing the two major players check out this thread, in particular the comparison charts throughout the thread vice every post. They are in white and stick out well if you use r2r in dark mode if you want to fly through the chaff looking for the good stuff.

Edit: I did transition from Apex to GHL, but knowing what you want to control and what interface you prefer is the most important thing to consider.

nkyreef · Jan 6, 2020

I feel like if the funds are available now find a deal and grab one. You'll be able to learn and work out the kinks before stocking later. Being able to tune everything without worrying about everything else would be worth it to me. I have an Apex and every now and then I tweak things and sometimes have to learn stuff in the fly.

Zach W · Jan 6, 2020

vangvace said:
Either would be able to fail safe heaters and control pumps.

Both can monitor (Temp, pH, Redox*, Conductivity*) out of the box. The * is excluded from the Apex el and P4e.

Apex can monitor and control Alk, Ca, and Mg with the Trident. GHL currently controls Alk. Ca, Mg, K, Na, and NO3 control is coming in the spring, but we haven't seen it testing live yet.

Apex's autofeeder is available while GHL's is to be released at some point.

For Apex, you have adjustable control via the DOS or through power plug timers for say a BRS doser. GHL is the same in that they only adjustable control their own doser pumps and plug timers. GHL's advantage comes from them have a DOS equivalent and a 2-4 head unit.

For comparing the two major players check out this thread, in particular the comparison charts throughout the thread vice every post. They are in white and stick out well if you use r2r in dark mode if you want to fly through the chaff looking for the good stuff.

Edit: I did transition from Apex to GHL, but knowing what you want to control and what interface you prefer is the most important thing to consider.

This is awesome information, thank you so much! I do have a follow on question regarding the control over dosers. For instance right now on my tank I am running a Jeabo DP4. It sounds like this doser would have no reason to be plugged into the apex because it would just be power on or power off correct? But the DOS you can intimately control through apex.

I know the KH Director and ION Director need to be paired with the GHL doser (min three head per), so in order to run both plus four heads for dosing elements, food, etc you would need a minimum of 10 dosing heads i believe. Does the trident also need to be paired with DOS, and if so only one?

A wishlist item I forgot about and I would love but is more of a luxury would be a mixing station and AWC..

Radman73 · Jan 6, 2020

I found out about controllers about 3 months after getting my first fish. I bought an Apex Jr as the price point was very low and I had a 32gal biocube so it handled everything easily. I loved and have continued to love it since. I upgraded by getting an Apex head unit used, and then the newer Apex a little over a year ago.

There's no reason to rush to get one. There are benefits of learning it before anything you do to your controller can kill something in your tank lol! But that's not likely to happen anyway. If $ isn't a factor, pick one up. If it is, hold off until you're sure necessities are taken care of first.

Zach W · Jan 6, 2020

Radman73 said:
I found out about controllers about 3 months after getting my first fish. I bought an Apex Jr as the price point was very low and I had a 32gal biocube so it handled everything easily. I loved and have continued to love it since. I upgraded by getting an Apex head unit used, and then the newer Apex a little over a year ago.

There's no reason to rush to get one. There are benefits of learning it before anything you do to your controller can kill something in your tank lol! But that's not likely to happen anyway. If $ isn't a factor, pick one up. If it is, hold off until you're sure necessities are taken care of first.

Well my upgrade is predicated on buying a house which wont happen for about a year from now so I have some time.. I am chomping at the bit though so im trying to get everything in line in terms of exactly what I want. Hoping to buy mostly everything I need black friday or whenever an item on my list is on a good sale, or if I find a good deal on the marketplace!

Radman73 · Jan 6, 2020

Zach W said:
Well my upgrade is predicated on buying a house which wont happen for about a year from now so I have some time.. I am chomping at the bit though so im trying to get everything in line in terms of exactly what I want. Hoping to buy mostly everything I need black friday or whenever an item on my list is on a good sale, or if I find a good deal on the marketplace!

Black Friday is a good idea. I spread out my upgrade over a couple of years, getting some stuff one Black Friday and the rest the next time around. I actually got the new Apex on a BF deal.