Best controller?

[brode]

Have been reefing/fish keeping for years without a controller but now it’s time to get one just for piece of mind when we are away. I see a lot of negative remarks about the Apex, the Hydros doesn’t have everything yet and the GHL doesn’t have everything yet. I understand that Hydros and GHL are coming out with what I would want so that is why the question. Is the Apex worth the trouble or is it worth waiting on the other two to build up?

 

[Reefer5640]

I haven’t used the Hydros or GHL but I have used the reefkeeper years ago and switched to apex when digital aquatics closed shop. I have two apex classics, two apex Jr’s and one 2016 model. My first apex classic I bought used years ago and is still running one of my systems. I have no complaints about any of my apex systems. Any improvements I thought they could make, they did with the 2016. For me, I’m happy with apex and I like all the components you can buy with them. They have a lot of technical support. Fusion let’s me know when there’s a problem and I get what I need out of it. Hope this helps some.

 

[n2585722]

I went from the Archon to the Hydros. I am very happy with it. I had it in use during our rolling blackouts back last February. The blackout lasted almost a week. I had no issues with the Hydros. The Archon messed up once. The USB memory stick got corrupted. I did get a UPS for my modem and router after that event though. There were times when the power was off for over 4 hours at a time. i had a battery backup for my MP10's. That was probably the main reason my tank made it through all the blackouts. So far I have been able to do everything with my Hydros and a little more than what I was doing with my Archon. if there is something specific you want to know about it I will be happy to try and answer your questions.

 

[jtichenor]

What do you need the Hydros to do that it can't?

 

[brode]

What do you need the Hydros to do that it can't?

I would like to add the calcium, alkalinity and magnesium testing to it and from what I understand you can’t at this point. Not that I need it right now but would be nice to be able to add this later.

 

[Pistondog]

Have been reefing/fish keeping for years without a controller but now it’s time to get one just for piece of mind when we are away. I see a lot of negative remarks about the Apex, the Hydros doesn’t have everything yet and the GHL doesn’t have everything yet. I understand that Hydros and GHL are coming out with what I would want so that is why the question. Is the Apex worth the trouble or is it worth waiting on the other two to build up?

No experience with hydros or ghl, but apex mostly does the job for me. The dos dosers are loud, salinity probe is problematic.
No use waiting for something that might never arrive.

 

[n2585722]

I would like to add the calcium, alkalinity and magnesium testing to it and from what I understand you can’t at this point. Not that I need it right now but would be nice to be able to add this later.

The Hydros will connect to the Alkatroinc and Mastertronic for this information. They are added to the hydros as a wifi device.

 

[fishybizzness]

You are the best controller!

 

[ReefRondo]

I have 3 full apex systems running and I have literally no negatives to report. Does what I want when I want it.

 

[ReefRondo]

You are the best controller!

Agreed however can you turn things on and off and monitor things while not there? Like I said I agree with your statement however it is not comparable. I am a huge fan of Jake Adam’s however I am a bit confused by his attitude towards controllers. Just my opinion of course.

 

[Dfw.corals]

I’ve been running an apex for the past 4 months and have been very happy with it. Easy to setup and the ph probe has helped me diagnose several issues that could have crashed my tank.

 

[Bryan68]

 

[DJF]

Calling all controller fanboys… someone asked again.

 

[jhuntstl]

My first controller ever was a Hydros X3. I've had it running for nearly 22 hours now. I think I have the relevant experience to immediately excuse myself from this thread.

 

[n2585722]

I would like to add the calcium, alkalinity and magnesium testing to it and from what I understand you can’t at this point. Not that I need it right now but would be nice to be able to add this later.

Here is a link to a workshop they had about the Alkatronic and Mastertronic with the guy from Focustronic. They show the inputs on the Hydros from the Mastertronic. The Alkatronic has had the interface for a while now. The Mastertronic was added in the latest firmware and app release.

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

They all suck for different reasons. Pick your poison. Alternatively, decentralize control amongst devices.