Automating your reef: What aquarium control system do you currently use?

[MnFish1]

Apex Classic. zero problems. If it ever dies I'm not sure what I will do because the orange plastic thing has horrendous reliability comparatively (especially the EB832) and the Hydros is like old satellite packages - this package will give you everything you want except that channel, you need to add another package for that.

Agreed

 

[fr3n0z]

Cheap homemade with Homeassistant, smart ph/sg/temp sensor and few power plugs. ATO homemade with smartplug and double float switch. A bit more tricky to setup but waaaay cheaper.

 

[1ocean]

Water side of things GHL, lights and pumps Ecotech Mobius App.

 

[AquaLifeStudio]

We are heavily invested with GHL gear.

We've got three Profilux 4 controllers, three Mitras, three Doser Maxis, three Doser 2.1's, three KH Directors combos, one Ion Director combo (soon to be 2), two Expansion Boxes, and five PowerBars. We also have a bunch of sensors and controllable valves for individual tank top-offs and automatic water changes.

We basically run an automated fish store out of our house, with each Profilux controller responsible for a front end coral & fish retail system, a back end coral & fish quarantine system (not connected and in two different rooms), and our display tank that started it all. We save a ton of money in the long run by not having to pay for labor.

 

[mxzx8004]

Hey - I am using Hydros. I bought my Red Sea slightly used and the person selling included a hydros X4 with XP8, PH/temp/leak/skimmer sensor and 2 dosing pumps for $720CAD so I grabbed it. I have been very, very happy with it so far. So much so I am now grabbing their ATO kit and another x2 to control it. A little mad their new X10 has a salinity port.. They need a smaller controller like the X2 to include that ASAP

 

[c4haskett]

Hey - I am using Hydros. I bought my Red Sea slightly used and the person selling included a hydros X4 with XP8, PH/temp/leak/skimmer sensor and 2 dosing pumps for $720CAD so I grabbed it. I have been very, very happy with it so far. So much so I am now grabbing their ATO kit and another x2 to control it. A little mad their new X10 has a salinity port.. They need a smaller controller like the X2 to include that ASAP

If you need another probe port you dont have to get the X10. You can get an X3. Pair it with an IV and salinity kit and your ready to go.

 

[mxzx8004]

If you need another probe port you dont have to get the X10. You can get an X3. Pair it with an IV and salinity kit and your ready to go.

Wow okay thank you very much. Do you have a link for recommended IV/salinity kit?

 

[c4haskett]

HYDROS iV Isolated Testing Vessel

Find premium aquarium supplies at Aquacave. we offer top brands like Tunze, Ecotech, and more. Free Shipping available!

aquacave.com

HYDROS Salinity Kit

Find premium aquarium supplies at Aquacave. we offer top brands like Tunze, Ecotech, and more. Free Shipping available!

aquacave.com

 

[c4haskett]

Wow okay thank you very much. Do you have a link for recommended IV/salinity kit?

HYDROS iV Isolated Testing Vessel

Find premium aquarium supplies at Aquacave. we offer top brands like Tunze, Ecotech, and more. Free Shipping available!

aquacave.com

HYDROS Salinity Kit

Find premium aquarium supplies at Aquacave. we offer top brands like Tunze, Ecotech, and more. Free Shipping available!

aquacave.com

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

I see zero need for central controller. Why have one point of failure take everything down But yet I have controllers

Halides controlled by wifi timers

atos arefloat switches /litermeter pumps

ozone controlled by Milwaukee Orp comtroller
have second Milwaukee orp Monitor

ph have 2 Milwaukee ph controllers

water change is master flex pumps and those have thier own controllers

wave makers all have their own controller

skimmate locker works off air pressure switch controller

temp Controller. I use gear like ranco and Eheim glass heaters Which have their own controllers built in

battery backup is all based off rv solar components with charge controllers

 

[Lasse]

I use gear like ranco and Eheim glass heaters Which have their own controllers built in

IMO - there is not a question if their inbuild bimetallic switches will burn together in the on position or not - the only question is when! And glass heaters in a saltwater aquarium - could easily end up with a grilled aquarium owner. IMO in a saltwater aquarium - only titan heaters with external controller should be used. If the titan heater is plugged into a grounded outlet - it will also serve as an ground probe.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[MnFish1]

Don't know if my opinion matters at this issue - however - I would never touch another apex product. Not trying to be dramatic - but I gave up my reef tank due to this. Many others have happy experiences. I have not. When the product works - totally awesome - when not - not so much JMHO - I have no scientific evidence. Apex technical support is outstanding.

 

[MnFish1]

IMO - there is not a question if their inbuild bimetallic switches will burn together in the on position or not - the only question is when! And glass heaters in a saltwater aquarium - could easily end up with a grilled aquarium owner. IMO in a saltwater aquarium - only titan heaters with external controller should be used. If the titan heater is plugged into a grounded outlet - it will also serve as an ground probe.

Sincerely Lasse

Awesome - @Lasse - do you have a controller? If not, why, if so, why?

 

[Snoopy 67]

Aqua Controller II
Only 1 problem in all the years I've owned it.
I even have a backup brain.

 

[gbroadbridge]

GHL Profilux4

Rock Solid reliability has never failed.

 

[Lasse]

do you have a controller? If not, why, if so, why

My reef is heavily automatized. GHL P4. I know (because of high age) that the question for every technical product is not if but when it break down - hence, there is always spare parts in the drawer including a second controller. Of some reasons (mostly the same as above) my memory is a 15/15 teflon memory (it means either 15 years ago or 15 seconds) - the controller is necessary.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[sugar]

I have the A3 Apex along with an IM Helio PTC temperature controller. I also have AI lights and Jebao wavemakers which have their own little controllers I suppose.

I mainly use the Apex as a monitor (set up with a few alarms) and the Helio is my only "real" controller!

 

[flashsmith]

The only thing I use other than lights is an ATO and it's on a float.. lol. I recently stopped using my doser pumps. It's far easier for me to add as needed. I could never keep my numbers consistent with an auto doser. Honestly if I felt like I needed to spend thousands on automation I would just hire a service to do it for me or buy a pass to an aquarium.