Taking the plung into a controller Apex or GHL?

[Buddah001]

So I’m looking to finally take the plunge into getting a controller. I always save to get the best. What does everyone recommend?

 

[JoshH]

Dangerous question to be asking;) while I currently have neither. When I do get one I will be purchasing a GHL P4. Solid construcion, tough to beat reputation and well thought out components it's really a clear choice for me anyway... not that apexs are horrible as many will attest to there quality. The only thing GHL seems to lack over The apex is the internet control options. GHL is working hard to set there app controls up but they are aren't quite there yet. Have a good read of this... excellent comparison between the two systems with a boat load of info on both.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/switching-controllers.316106/

 

[Fudsey]

That, is a loaded question. You will get tons of answers for both sides.

Personally, I want a GHL but that is just my choice.

 

[hybridazn]

You can't go wrong with either one, they both do the same thing. Initial cost is a bit higher on the ghl side, bit imo it's a cleaner looking setup than apex. That orange is hard on me lol

Btw I am an apex owner lol

 

[Jeff_Toronto]

Can't comment which is better as I'm new to aquarium hobby but I went with apex jr for my 32 biocube and very happy with it after a week in operation. Paired with camera I'm loving it.

 

[JoshH]

That orange is hard on me lol

It is pretty..... bold lol I LOVE the look of the white GHL but have a hard time paying the extra $120 for the white over the black:(

 

[alexnyc22]

I’m personally a fan of the APEX. I don’t know enough about the GHL but I will say that the options on the apex are endless

 

[User1]

I currently run open source / reef angel. Kept my tank up and running for about 6 years no, no complaints. I think if you have basic coding skills it is a valid option although not on your list. Having said that I owned an earlier model of the Neptune controller back in 2000 with the X-10 technology. Worked fine and no complaints. Somewhere along the way one of my German Shepherd Dogs saw me doing some work, I had the head unit on the ground, and she thought it was a chew toy...needless to say that was that.

Over the holidays I received a new Apex so back in that family and eco system. Good support. Quality product. Like a poster above the orange color is, well, loud. I'm not a fan. In fact I am hoping I can change the color of the fusion web page(s) via settings. Otherwise that may be a huge turnoff.

Like others there is no best. You have to find out what options you are looking for and choose. I went "back" to Neptune because I liked their support, it was a known eco system for me, and a few features such as: 1. power usage / tracking 2. cor 15 pump integration for power 3. wire and wireless 4. options such as leak detector, 3 way auto top off, etc.

 

[ZaneTer]

Personally I have just bought a GHL P4 and KH Director. Still waiting for it to arrive. Nothing against GHL I only put my order in quite recently.

 

[Mark Gray]

I have 2 Apex love them their programming is very easy, I don't know anything about the GHL

 

[Dumaurier7]

I owned both Apex and now a GHL P4........I had bad experiences with the former and only great ones with the latter, now that I see the light it’s a no-brainer!

PS: Apex and their followers are always boasting about their excellent customer support.......we’ll guess what! When your product is unstable and unreliable your customer service better be top notch!

 

[reefwiser]

Both are good controllers and have different approaches to the problem of keeping a controller for your aquarium.
Apex adds a ton of little boxes that you hook together. GHL has everything in the main controller box and has expansion slots for adding extra functions. It comes with everything you would want right out of the box . The GHL dosing pump system is great and can be run by itself and allows you to add more dosing pumps as you grow in the hobby.

 

[Mark Gray]

I owned both Apex and now a GHL P4........I had bad experiences with the former and only great ones with the latter, now that I see the light it’s a no-brainer!

PS: Apex and their followers are always boasting about their excellent customer support.......we’ll guess what! When your product is unstable and unreliable your customer service better be top notch!

Interesting I do not have any experience with the GHL but I might try one but I have not ever had any problems with the Apex, the one thing I did have if my house lost power the Apex would boot before my router and modem so it would not be connected to the internet but I got that fixed

 

[Buddah001]

I am taking the plunge and ordering a GHL Profilux 4 Ultimate Set

 

[Dumaurier7]

I have had all the problems discussed on the Apex forum from the “Blue Screen” issue after power failures to the controller being constantly offline to the unreliable dosing by the DOS to the accuracy issues with the PM2 module etc. I was also trouble free for some time then within a couple months it all went to hell very quickly.

 

[Mark Gray]

I am taking the plunge and ordering a GHL Profilux 4 Ultimate Set

Good luck please let me know how you like it I am very interested

 

[293482398]

You will find fans of both and you'll find people who switched from Apex -> GHL or GHL -> Apex and are happy they switched brands. Regardless of your choice, I'd recommend you keep the packaging material should you need to return it for repair in the future and take advantage of the R2R forums for tips/answers.

 

[chefjpaul]

 

[Buddah001]

You will find fans of both and you'll find people who switched from Apex -> GHL or GHL -> Apex and are happy they switched brands. Regardless of your choice, I'd recommend you keep the packaging material should you need to return it for repair in the future and take advantage of the R2R forums for tips/answers.

I’m a pack rat with original packaging. Thanks for the info. Just placed the order so it begins. Already have plans for tax money for a KH Director, Dosing pump 2.1, 2x maxi doser for ATO and AWC

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

one word...Trident

THAT is why i just fitted my dream tank with an apex..

cheap monitoring of alk,cal, and mag... no extra dosing pumps to buy.. yes please.