Controller Preference?

[mckennamichael407]

I've never had a controller before and I am stuck between the Apex and Hydros. I am leaning towards the hydros option because there are several options within and I can get a built in dosing pump that will allow me to add extra sensors with complete control from phone.

What scares me is I am not the best with technology and don't want to buy something and be in over my head trying to get it installed correctly and end up giving up. I have the waterbox marine x 60.2 on the way with waterbox 140, ecotech marine vectra s2 return pump, (2) ectoech marine vortech mp10 power heads. I was planning on getting the ecotech marine single dosing pump and a tunze osmolator for the ato but if I get the hydros minnow I get the dosing pumps built in and can add their ato along with another controler add-on. I however can't find anyone that currently has a hydros controller for real life experience and come across mixed reviews for the apex.

My ultimate goal is to have everything automated so if we take a vacation it still runs like a fine-tuned machine with backups but in so it won't completely crash due to a pump failure. I know I can't get everything I want right this second but I'd like to know I can easily add onto down the road if possible. I will be video taping my build and posting on YouTube once everything arrives and would love support as well as input on things I can do to make the tanks inhabitants happier.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Because your already in the ectoech ecosystem. I would recommend Apex since you can integrate it. Hydros cannot. Or at least not with some hefty modification.

I have hydros. I prefer the ease of use and I mix and match a lot of brands. So it makes more sense.

 

[Elira_6301]

I've never had a controller before and I am stuck between the Apex and Hydros. I am leaning towards the hydros option because there are several options within and I can get a built in dosing pump that will allow me to add extra sensors with complete control from phone.

What scares me is I am not the best with technology and don't want to buy something and be in over my head trying to get it installed correctly and end up giving up. I have the waterbox marine x 60.2 on the way with waterbox 140, ecotech marine vectra s2 return pump, (2) ectoech marine vortech mp10 power heads. I was planning on getting the ecotech marine single dosing pump and a tunze osmolator for the ato but if I get the hydros minnow I get the dosing pumps built in and can add their ato along with another controler add-on. I however can't find anyone that currently has a hydros controller for real life experience and come across mixed reviews for the apex.

My ultimate goal is to have everything automated so if we take a vacation it still runs like a fine-tuned machine with backups but in so it won't completely crash due to a pump failure. I know I can't get everything I want right this second but I'd like to know I can easily add onto down the road if possible. I will be video taping my build and posting on YouTube once everything arrives and would love support as well as input on things I can do to make the tanks inhabitants happier.

I like the Hydros. I have one for auto dosing that works awesome. I had to have one set it up for me as Im not tech savvy either. Its never failed me.

 

[areefer01]

I've never had a controller before and I am stuck between the Apex and Hydros. I am leaning towards the hydros option because there are several options within and I can get a built in dosing pump that will allow me to add extra sensors with complete control from phone.

It is a personal preference as to what brands people like. With regards to hobbyist, posts, and content with both controllers you mentioned there are plenty. This subject comes up a lot. Search here or favorite search engine not to mention other social media and you will find plenty.

I'll throw down a different card since you mentioned vacation and/or travel. Spend the money up front on design and redundancy. That will save you more than any controller ever will. Things like having a neighbor you trust with a key for access to check on things if a power outage occurs while away. Resetting a tripped gcfi or circuit breaker. AC off. If no neighbor then LFS who you trust that can do similar or other house sitter. Someone to check in. Two return pumps. Battery backup for X amount of hours for flow. Label cords, plugs, ATO lines, etc.

Descartes, or the cart before the horse.

 

[mckennamichael407]

Because your already in the ectoech ecosystem. I would recommend Apex since you can integrate it. Hydros cannot. Or at least not with some hefty modification.

I have hydros. I prefer the ease of use and I mix and match a lot of brands. So it makes more sense.

So i have the option to change anything as my tank is a month back ordered and everything is attached to that order. What return pumps or power heads would you recommend? I intially was going to run 2 ai axis 90s but multiple people said they are just unreliable pumps to have a backup if one failed and only added the mp10s because they were ecotech but i do really like the outside the tank wires for them.

Also, do i really need a controller as the point with the technology that is already pre-built in? If i stick with the ecotech i believe they already have an app that i would be able to control the powerheads and pump and i already have the ai prime lights for other tanks that run on a schedule. I guess my biggest concern is the auto dosing of my elements. I currently manual dose but its a 20 gallon aio and im moving up to more than double that and really want to take my wife on a nice vacation but dont want to lose what ive been building to do so. :/

 

[mckennamichael407]

I've never had a controller before and I am stuck between the Apex and Hydros. I am leaning towards the hydros option because there are several options within and I can get a built in dosing pump that will allow me to add extra sensors with complete control from phone.

It is a personal preference as to what brands people like. With regards to hobbyist, posts, and content with both controllers you mentioned there are plenty. This subject comes up a lot. Search here or favorite search engine not to mention other social media and you will find plenty.

I'll throw down a different card since you mentioned vacation and/or travel. Spend the money up front on design and redundancy. That will save you more than any controller ever will. Things like having a neighbor you trust with a key for access to check on things if a power outage occurs while away. Resetting a tripped gcfi or circuit breaker. AC off. If no neighbor then LFS who you trust that can do similar or other house sitter. Someone to check in. Two return pumps. Battery backup for X amount of hours for flow. Label cords, plugs, ATO lines, etc.

Descartes, or the cart before the horse.

So i currently have a backup battery hooked up that in theory should be able to run the full system toned down for 12-14 hours. Ive been using the reef2reef app an maybe im still not use to it but have difficulty finding threads but will try from my laptop. The marine x 60.2 doesnt have a big pump chamber built in so options are limited for dual return pumps. Im probably getting myself to invested to early.

As for neighbors, sadly our neighbors are not trust worthy and the lfs guy i was friends with just moved out of state.

Would it be smarter to wait until I have everything set up and running to see what exactly my needs are before diving into this?

 

[Naturalreef]

Just food for thought, almost everyone I know who has owned apex, has had their energy bar fail with total power loss.

 

[mckennamichael407]

Just food for thought, almost everyone I know who has owned apex, has had their energy bar fail with total power loss.

That is what i have read and seen posted regarding them pretty much everywhere ive seen they tend to fail or die out relatively quick for their price. I ordered most of my supplies thinking i could get a hydros controller at some point but it seems i may have got something mixed up at some point but i can at least cancel the order within the next week if i want to.

This all started because i won the fiest $2k giveaway from waterbox and ordered the marine x 60.2 (i have been saving to get a red sea complete set up because ive just always been drawn to them and they have their own everything from powerheads to atos and fleece rollers but i have to make due with what i can afford and that gift card really helped a lot) but the issue ive been having is the mixed reviews pretty much on everything but i havent been able to find first hand experience regarding most of the items ive looked into except the ecotech marine vectra and vortech which many people have told me great things about. Im not a big fan of the color of the apex or the fact every post ive come across eventually ends with something failing or dying and needing to be replaced.

I also dont really know if i will need a control because if i get all of the ecotech marine items (doser and light included) i can control via the app. I already have the helio 400w (2 - 200w heaters) in storage i plan to use for that and got the waterbox 140 skimmer with the extra money on the gift card so im kinda stuck with that but everything else i can do whatever with. Im not a huge fan of returning items but i can still cancel but ive never owned a tank with a sump and regardless of how much you read and read and read, its all peoples personal opinions (i havent found any side by side comparisons as of now)

 

[Dragen Fiend]

So i have the option to change anything as my tank is a month back ordered and everything is attached to that order. What return pumps or power heads would you recommend? I intially was going to run 2 ai axis 90s but multiple people said they are just unreliable pumps to have a backup if one failed and only added the mp10s because they were ecotech but i do really like the outside the tank wires for them.

Also, do i really need a controller as the point with the technology that is already pre-built in? If i stick with the ecotech i believe they already have an app that i would be able to control the powerheads and pump and i already have the ai prime lights for other tanks that run on a schedule. I guess my biggest concern is the auto dosing of my elements. I currently manual dose but its a 20 gallon aio and im moving up to more than double that and really want to take my wife on a nice vacation but dont want to lose what ive been building to do so. :/

So I do not use any fancy features when it comes to my return pumps or wave makers. My tank is only 25G so fairly small. I use basic on/off features with Hydros. For wavemaker I have the jecod DMP20 which I use their app for that. If you want it all controllable through the hydros app itself. I would look at the compatibility chart for their waveEngine.
Compatibility list

Now for my future build. I plan to go with reef varios pumps for returns. I'll keep using Jecods DMPS for all future builds.

 

[n2585722]

I use the Hydros system. I have quite a bit automated. If you want to check it out I have quite a bit posted in my build thread here on R2R on my Hydros system. The Hydros info starts on page 6 post # 119. To get to the build thread just clicl on the My Tank Thread banner on one of my post. Also there is a facebook group and a forum for Hydros where there is always someone that will help with any questions you might have. In the build thread I would post whenever there were new features added to Hydros and also how I used them on my system. My reservoirs, mixing station and RODI unit are in my garage 35ft from the tank. That is where my first Hydros units were used, but I was switching from Digital Aquatics to Hydros. It took me a while to go complete Hydros but that also spread out the expense in doing it. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[FishTacos2]

I have never used apex.

I am very happy with my hydros. It is easy to program with the app. No coding required.

 

[mckennamichael407]

So I do not use any fancy features when it ...

Where did you purchase the jebao jecob dmp 20s? I pulled them up and its the exact same thing as the ecotech vortech with the powerline on the dry side but when i type it in google the only places coming up for purchase are ebay and ali express.