Looking for a controller...

[Bassmaster116]

Apex or GHL? Ive automated most of everything already, more or so want the testing. Looked at GHL, just not sure what i all need?

 

[Lasse]

GHL has works for me for many years now

Sincerely Lasse

 

[ADAM]

I’ve had good luck with Apex and the Trident. Own 2 Tridents actually. Had an issue with one few months after buying and Neptune was quick to send me another one before I sent mine in for service. I’d buy Apex/Trident again no questions asked.

 

[Bassmaster116]

only reason im looking at GHL is because of iond because it seems Coral vue is not releasing their testing unit and still havent seen their controller or any news on either. if they are soon id definitely go that route. id like to be able to test nitrates and whatnot

 

[PilotOfSubmarines]

I much prefer the Apex for day-to-day stuff. I'm considering going with GHL for the testing aspect of it. I also like the idea of switching it up a little bit, rather than having one brand do it all.

 

[Bassmaster116]

gotcha im torn i wish we had an update on coral vue’s controller and testing stuff..

 

[vangvace]

I moved from Apex to GHL and am happy with the results. That said...

For automated testing with GHL, a Stand-Alone Director combo is all you need to get started. From there a slave Director combo can be added to the existing system.

The stand-alone function is on the dosing pump unit portion of the combo and is the brains of the operation without needing a full controller. A stand-alone unit can also have additional slave units attached to it; for up to 16-32 individual dosing pumps total on the system. Finally, a stand-alone unit can also be converted to a slave unit via a check box in the software.


Finally, we are about a month out from the ION Director being released to the wild so there is plenty of time to mull things over and see how early adopters fair before jumping in as well.

 

[southerntnreefer]

I moved from Apex to GHL and am happy with the results. That said...

For automated testing with GHL, a Stand-Alone Director combo is all you need to get started. From there a slave Director combo can be added to the existing system.

The stand-alone function is on the dosing pump unit portion of the combo and is the brains of the operation without needing a full controller. A stand-alone unit can also have additional slave units attached to it; for up to 16-32 individual dosing pumps total on the system. Finally, a stand-alone unit can also be converted to a slave unit via a check box in the software.


Finally, we are about a month out from the ION Director being released to the wild so there is plenty of time to mull things over and see how early adopters fair before jumping in as well.

Can you tell me more about how the stand alone functions? What if i just want it to test not to also dose? What do I need etc?

 

[vangvace]

Can you tell me more about how the stand alone functions? What if i just want it to test not to also dose? What do I need etc?

Just a stand-alone combo is needed. Here is the link to the manual as well. Very helpful visuals in there. https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/downloads/kh-director-manual/

The stand-alone function is the smarts of the making the dosing heads move, provides the user interface, and does the calculations, charting, etc. Without the stand-alone function you would be forced to use the Profilux Controller... not that I think that is a bad thing :P

The ION director uses 4 pump heads while the KHD uses 3. The fourth I use to dose phyto, but before then it was a spare... which is always nice to have on hand.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Just a stand-alone combo is needed. Here is the link to the manual as well. Very helpful visuals in there. https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/downloads/kh-director-manual/

The stand-alone function is the smarts of the making the dosing heads move, provides the user interface, and does the calculations, charting, etc. Without the stand-alone function you would be forced to use the Profilux Controller... not that I think that is a bad thing :p

The ION director uses 4 pump heads while the KHD uses 3. The fourth I use to dose phyto, but before then it was a spare... which is always nice to have on hand.

So essentially it would replace my Jebao DP4 then, i wondered what the doser was for, if it was reagents or what. so basically, i could buy the alk one now, with 4 heads, what if i want to add the new Ion? do i need to have 4 more dosing heads, or can i add it on without?

 

[vangvace]

So essentially it would replace my Jebao DP4 then, i wondered what the doser was for, if it was reagents or what. so basically, i could buy the alk one now, with 4 heads, what if i want to add the new Ion? do i need to have 4 more dosing heads, or can i add it on without?

If you wanted to add the ION unit, it would need to have another 4 dosing head unit. It can be the slave combo though if you have the stand-alone alk unit already. For the ION Director's doser: pump 1 is tank water, pump 2 and 3 are calibration fluids, and pump 4 is waste removal.

Having both the ION director and KHD requires 7 GHL dosing heads for testing. . Your Jebao doser would still be dosing whatever it currently is dosing unless you decide to replace it as well.

 

[southerntnreefer]

If you wanted to add the ION unit, it would need to have another 4 dosing head unit. It can be the slave combo though if you have the stand-alone alk unit already. For the ION Director's doser: pump 1 is tank water, pump 2 and 3 are calibration fluids, and pump 4 is waste removal.

Having both the ION director and KHD requires 7 GHL dosing heads for testing. . Your Jebao doser would still be dosing whatever it currently is dosing unless you decide to replace it as well.

That's what I was struggling on.... Thanks!!

 

[Bassmaster116]

yea i wasnt sure if i need the profilux for the kh and ion

 

[southerntnreefer]

if i did the math right, to do both the KH and IOn, your talking at 1600 bucks, plus then need another doser to actually dose.

 

[vangvace]

yea i wasnt sure if i need the profilux for the kh and ion

No with caveat: Calcium Reactor control requires a profilux

if i did the math right, to do both the KH and IOn, your talking at 1600 bucks, plus then need another doser to actually dose.

Sounds about right. I waited till a 15% off sale when I went GHL.

 

[Crustaceon]

I hear GHL is pretty rad honestly. Not sure if it makes “beep boop” noises, but I would want it too.

 

[southerntnreefer]

I hear GHL is pretty rad honestly. Not sure if it makes “beep boop” noises, but I would want it too.

for its prices, id like it to greet me and make me a sammich.

 

[vangvace]

It emails me a tank status every 4 hours and keeps my Alk stable while feeling like I can trust the probes. I've also dumped RO water on the powerbars and they still work after they dried out.

As close to a sammich as I can give you :D

 

[southerntnreefer]

It emails me a tank status every 4 hours and keeps my Alk stable while feeling like I can trust the probes. I've also dumped RO water on the powerbars and they still work after they dried out.

As close to a sammich as I can give you :D

Well then yes yes it is.