Hey everyone, I read this forum probably too much, and there's a lot of information out there on all the various controllers, add-ons, gadgets associated with each brand.
I'm looking at a couple options to up my reef game with an aquarium monitoring system. I'd like any input regarding the following options -- which looks more promising / accurate / reliable etc.
In any of the options, I want basic functions such as reading me the tank temperature, pH and salinity of the tank. If there is a way to display alkalinity as well that would be awesome. Power switches are not overly important? I run my reef on kasa smart strips which work well.
Option 1:
Control system: Hydros Control 4 as the main control device.
- I will have the ability to monitor temperature and pH, but not salinity.
- Alkalinity monitoring: alkatronic or apex trident. Monitor only, not looking for automated dosing. I have a GHL doser that is extremely precise and I'd feel like I was going in a major downgrade direction if I chose an apex dos.
- Wavemaker control: Hydros WaveEngine. Currently gyre, tunze and jebao -- would like to run them off of hydros wave engine. Maybe even the vortech version of it if I can find the extra change for vortechs in the future.
Option 2:
Control system: GHL Profilux 4 (mega set?)
- Includes the ability to monitor temperature, pH, conductivity, ORP/redox (not sure what I'd do with that info?)
- Comes with GHL power strip, again don't need?
- Alkalinity monitoring: alkatronic or KHD? Doubt Apex trident can be integrated into Profilux system?
- Wavemaker control: Hydros wave engine
Option 3:
Control system: Apex
Purely a monitoring device. Trident vs alkatronic for alkalinity checking.
Includes the standard temp/pH/salinity probes
WaveEngine for wavemaker control.
It doesn't matter where you read, there's always a problem(s) with any of the alk checkers. I'm hoping a combination of these brands might integrate well with one another and give me remote access to view vital information of the tank. I can make dosing adjustments remotely from my phone to the GHL doser which is a standalone unit.
Anything else important that I'm missing that should be included in automated aquarium control? Any particular suggestions to move in one direction or another completely?
Thanks!!
I'm looking at a couple options to up my reef game with an aquarium monitoring system. I'd like any input regarding the following options -- which looks more promising / accurate / reliable etc.
In any of the options, I want basic functions such as reading me the tank temperature, pH and salinity of the tank. If there is a way to display alkalinity as well that would be awesome. Power switches are not overly important? I run my reef on kasa smart strips which work well.
Option 1:
Control system: Hydros Control 4 as the main control device.
- I will have the ability to monitor temperature and pH, but not salinity.
- Alkalinity monitoring: alkatronic or apex trident. Monitor only, not looking for automated dosing. I have a GHL doser that is extremely precise and I'd feel like I was going in a major downgrade direction if I chose an apex dos.
- Wavemaker control: Hydros WaveEngine. Currently gyre, tunze and jebao -- would like to run them off of hydros wave engine. Maybe even the vortech version of it if I can find the extra change for vortechs in the future.
Option 2:
Control system: GHL Profilux 4 (mega set?)
- Includes the ability to monitor temperature, pH, conductivity, ORP/redox (not sure what I'd do with that info?)
- Comes with GHL power strip, again don't need?
- Alkalinity monitoring: alkatronic or KHD? Doubt Apex trident can be integrated into Profilux system?
- Wavemaker control: Hydros wave engine
Option 3:
Control system: Apex
Purely a monitoring device. Trident vs alkatronic for alkalinity checking.
Includes the standard temp/pH/salinity probes
WaveEngine for wavemaker control.
It doesn't matter where you read, there's always a problem(s) with any of the alk checkers. I'm hoping a combination of these brands might integrate well with one another and give me remote access to view vital information of the tank. I can make dosing adjustments remotely from my phone to the GHL doser which is a standalone unit.
Anything else important that I'm missing that should be included in automated aquarium control? Any particular suggestions to move in one direction or another completely?
Thanks!!