GHL clearance, should I buy?

[braaap]

The apex was good but now they are built in China and look like preschool toys. My 12 year old apex Jr still works with zero issues. My 2023 apex a3 that I bought as an "upgrade" already has had to to be sent back to neptune for a corrupt sd card and the 24v power supply on the eb8 quit working so none of the accessories work. With the replacement sd card that I paid $54.38 for plus shipping to neptune it also erased every bit of programming I had.

Don't even get me started on the trident. A controller this expensive should be reliable but that's not the case anymore. I've only had the hydros system for a month or so but it feels well built and it's super easy to program.

100% agree. My original orange label full apex is still working flawlessly. My A2 has been replaced/repaired by myself numerous times for SD card failure and WiFi dongle failures. It’s a joke.

 

[ryeguyy84]

100% agree. My original orange label full apex is still working flawlessly. My A2 has been replaced/repaired by myself numerous times for SD card failure and WiFi dongle failures. It’s a joke.

And it takes 3 weeks to get your unit back. I'll never trust it again

 

[braaap]

And it takes 3 weeks to get your unit back. I'll never trust it again

Well now you can easily swap the sd card. Or swap to hydros like I did lol

 

[ryeguyy84]

Well now you can easily swap the sd card. Or swap to hydros like I did lol

Yeah I swapped to hydros while waiting for my apex to come back. I didn't even know the apex had an sd card. Before I sent it in.

 

[Pod_01]

GHL… my opinion is same a BeanAnimal with respect to GHL. Also you get 2 year warranty…

I have P4, Kh-director and the dosing 2.1 pumps. Been using P4 and dosing pumps for 6 years now… and the original probes, I think I may have to replace the salinity probe it just started acting up.

GHL just works so no need for me to get the next shiny box…

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

So BRS and GHL are ending their business partnership?

I see Hydros on sale too, are they also ending?

Winds of change in the air.

 

[TrottingReef]

BRS is stopping selling any controllers except for their own Apex controllers. The store brand is losing too many customers so they are trying to get rid of the options customers have so they only buy the store brand.

 

[Herbster]

Aperture is basically a venture capital business which has focussed on our hobby. They have bought manufacturers (Neptune, AI & Ecotech) and internet retailers (BRS, Marine Depot) and are the US distributors for many more. They basically have massive control over the US (and worldwide) marine hardware business.

The only big players that can stand up to them from the manufacturing side are Red Sea and Coralife, with lesser players in europe (GHL, Tunze, Reef Factory & Sicce) and those in the far east (Maxspect & Octo) - These are manufacturers that a) have a range of products rather than targeting a specific market (e.g. lights), and b) and their products have electrical elements (e.g. rather than just a skimmer or reactor)

The big downside for any customers of their products is that, as a VC business, the $ is the only long term goal. So I would expect this to reflect in one or more of reductions in quality of:

Components
Manufacturing
Quality Assurance
Support

Added to this, which may well be far worse, is that by controlling a market, you strive to suppress external innovation and basically limit any new entities that might want to introduce products that are beneficial to the hobby. That may be via acquisition, limiting sales opportunities and/or blanket suppression.

For any retailer (internet or shop), they may find contractual limitations in being able to supply Aperture products in so far as selling competitor products.

It's all a bit scary. While the manufacturers produce great products (although I'm a GHL user), controlling the retail side points to a unsavoury future.

 

[AmateurAlchemist]

GHL lacks the polish we’ve come to expect with modern apps but it does work reliably. I don’t get the accusation that it’s impossible to use. A few things seem a bit convoluted at first glance, but once you get how they operate, it’s fine.

 

[spsick]

GHL makes high quality, reliable equipment that has a learning curve to use. I would put it exactly where Neptune was 10 years ago. If I was choosing a new controller ecosphere today it would be GHL hands down and the 40% clearance sale makes it a no brainer. You can get a doser, controller, and KH director for like a thousand bucks which is crazy.

 

[KStatefan]

GHL makes high quality, reliable equipment that has a learning curve to use. I would put it exactly where Neptune was 10 years ago. If I was choosing a new controller ecosphere today it would be GHL hands down and the 40% clearance sale makes it a no brainer. You can get a doser, controller, and KH director for like a thousand bucks which is crazy.

There will most likely ever a chance to buy new controller set up at these prices.

I have got mad at GHL for their user interface and some weird terminology but never for it not working.

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

I have P4, 4 powerbars, maxi doser 2.2, doser 2.2 with KHD, mechanical and optical sensors for ATO and four Mitras 7206. Hands down, best equipment imo.

One of my mentors has a similar setup, except he has a P3 and just replaced his optical sensor for ATO after 14 years, I'm hoping mine last that long as well, but that just goes to show how well their products are made.

 

[Doompastew]

Kasa wifi 6 outlet power strip for $45 If you just want to turn things on and off. You can also create schedules

Amazon product ASIN B07G95FFN3

 

[Schulks]

Kasa wifi 6 outlet power strip for $45 If you just want to turn things on and off. You can also create schedules

Amazon product ASIN B07G95FFN3

I have actually been using kasa smart plugs. I use the schedule to turn on the pumps every hour so if I ever forget to turn them on it's ok. I wish it could do more complex things like turn off an outlet based on the power monitoring, or turn off an outlet based on my aquarium temperature.

Kasa works but with concessions. If I have some kind of temperature alarm I could just turn off the UV with my phone.
I could also use the Alexa App to turn off the UV/skimmer if return is off which works for feed mode then I could use the alexa app to delay the UV/Skimmer turning back on but it can't do this based on the power monitoring. This might cost me a UV bulb and I also feel bad using the Alexa app for my fish' life support.

 

[GSPClown94]

I've been considering getting some GHL products but I don't think I can support BRS/Aperture anymore even if the clearance sale is appealing.

 

[jez]

There might be simpler business reasons GHL is too many dead Sku's too archaic and arcane for the modern world and probably meager sales. Oh, and they are building the new Trident NP at the Ecotech plant which is not in China from memory.

 

[Solo McReefer]

I have actually been using kasa smart plugs. I use the schedule to turn on the pumps every hour so if I ever forget to turn them on it's ok. I wish it could do more complex things like turn off an outlet based on the power monitoring, or turn off an outlet based on my aquarium temperature.

Kasa works but with concessions. If I have some kind of temperature alarm I could just turn off the UV with my phone.
I could also use the Alexa App to turn off the UV/skimmer if return is off which works for feed mode then I could use the alexa app to delay the UV/Skimmer turning back on but it can't do this based on the power monitoring. This might cost me a UV bulb and I also feel bad using the Alexa app for my fish' life support.

Do they return to their previous state if there is a power outage and it returns

I use Geeni power strips for turning stuff,not reef, on and off

If there is a power failure, the strip needs to be reset manually

When Hydros first made their wifi power strips, they used the the same units private labeled. I dunno who they use now

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

Hoping they discount the gel products more. I wanna get the mega set and several accessories, but I feel they will be going lower on their prices.

 

[Schulks]

Do they return to their previous state if there is a power outage and it returns

I use Geeni power strips for turning stuff,not reef, on and off

If there is a power failure, the strip needs to be reset manually

When Hydros first made their wifi power strips, they used the the same units private labeled. I dunno who they use now

Yes they do. I just tested. Turned it on unplugged it replug and it turned on and turned it off did the same and it stayed off.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Thanks for the heads up

I use those wifi strips for lights and grow lights timers

It's a pain when they lose power

I think it's obvious what that means for reef control system

Thanks again for testing