Who wins?

[Mschmidt]

I'm looking into controllers, and not looking to spend a mint. I'm torn right now between GHL and Hydros. What are your oppinions either way?

To be more specific, the hydros control x starter pack or the GHL profilux mini.

They seem similarly equipped out of the box, and equally priced. I'm getting the vibe that Hydros can be more easily built out if that is where I want to head. But GHL has plenty of expansion as well. The future likely holds flow control, then auto testing as priorities.

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

I'm looking into controllers, and not looking to spend a mint. I'm torn right now between GHL and Hydros. What are your oppinions either way?

To be more specific, the hydros control x starter pack or the GHL profilux mini.

They seem similarly equipped out of the box, and equally priced. I'm getting the vibe that Hydros can be more easily built out if that is where I want to head. But GHL has plenty of expansion as well. The future likely holds flow control, then auto testing as priorities.

me too

 

[Cheesus]

I have had both, and I prefer Hydros.

GHL makes good products but they are not the most user friendly. I had been in the automation field for 10 years and still found myself lost in the menus.

Hydros gives all the same functionality but much easier to configure. And getting parts from CoralVue is 100% easier than from GHL.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

If given the 2, I would choose GHL hands down.

 

[Mschmidt]

I have had both, and I prefer Hydros.

GHL makes good products but they are not the most user friendly. I had been in the automation field for 10 years and still found myself lost in the menus.

Hydros gives all the same functionality but much easier to configure. And getting parts from CoralVue is 100% easier than from GHL.

the ease of use is a big draw.

If given the 2, I would choose GHL hands down.

why is that? anywhere ghl excels when hydros fall flat?

 

[BryanM]

No experience with ghl… I can say coralvue support has been fantastic.

 

[Brisk]

I have Hydros and don't have experience with any other controllers. I went with Hydros because it looked very user friendly, simple to program, and seamless integration. So far I'm loving it and glad I went with Hydros.

 

[dschuffert]

I have used both and like both of them. I also used Neptune for years. For me, though, GHL is the winner. I prefer the precision and accuracy of their probes and sensors and the programming options.

 

[Pod_01]

I use GHL and like what it does, initial setup can have its problems but after that it works (once going I forget about it).
Now the GHL mini has some limitations it doesn’t have PAB connection. So not all items are available for it like some power bars or slave dosers etc… Also I am not sure if all devices are compatible like the Breeze3 etc…

The GHL P4e may be a better option long term.

I am looking to put controller on my small tank and want to use the Breeze3 cooling option (works really well on my main tank).
Nothing similar is on Hydros or so well integrated. So I am looking at the GHL Mini vs P4e… Just not sure if Breeze3 works on the mini.

Good luck,

 

[JeffB418]

I'm looking into controllers, and not looking to spend a mint. I'm torn right now between GHL and Hydros. What are your oppinions either way?

To be more specific, the hydros control x starter pack or the GHL profilux mini.

They seem similarly equipped out of the box, and equally priced. I'm getting the vibe that Hydros can be more easily built out if that is where I want to head. But GHL has plenty of expansion as well. The future likely holds flow control, then auto testing as priorities.

Hydros will be coming out with a complete Auto tester in the future called maven. That would be something to consider between the two. That will do alkalinity, calcium, magnesium nitrate, and phosphate. If you want just alkalinity, then you can do it with the IV currently. What I really like about Hydros is the expandability and modularity. You can add on modules and make bigger collectives to have redundancy or split your collective and run devices individually. Multiple times I’ve bought new modules and reconfigured my systems and the stand alone nature of every controller has been super nice in growing and changing. If you get the x4 pro pack, it has 2 brains. One in the x4 and one in the xp8.

 

[Mschmidt]

I use GHL and like what it does, initial setup can have its problems but after that it works (once going I forget about it).
Now the GHL mini has some limitations it doesn’t have PAB connection. So not all items are available for it like some power bars or slave dosers etc… Also I am not sure if all devices are compatible like the Breeze3 etc…

The GHL P4e may be a better option long term.

I am looking to put controller on my small tank and want to use the Breeze3 cooling option (works really well on my main tank).
Nothing similar is on Hydros or so well integrated. So I am looking at the GHL Mini vs P4e… Just not sure if Breeze3 works on the mini.

Good luck,

Thank, this is helpful (you are too @JeffB418) If I were at the point of spending $1k (for the pro, $750 for the starter) I would be between the p4e and the pro pack; at least something less basic.

Hydros will be coming out with a complete Auto tester in the future called maven. That would be something to consider between the two. That will do alkalinity, calcium, magnesium nitrate, and phosphate. If you want just alkalinity, then you can do it with the IV currently. What I really like about Hydros is the expandability and modularity. You can add on modules and make bigger collectives to have redundancy or split your collective and run devices individually. Multiple times I’ve bought new modules and reconfigured my systems and the stand alone nature of every controller has been super nice in growing and changing. If you get the x4 pro pack, it has 2 brains. One in the x4 and one in the xp8.

I've seen the maven, and fawned over it, then saw the price (which isn't unreasonable if it delivers what it promises). The modularity of hydros is part of my confusion. GHL has a central hub, everything runs from there. Hydros seems to have a main brain which is stuck in every device with some different functionality in the ports.

Picking a place to start seems daunting with hydros.

 

[JeffB418]

Thank, this is helpful (you are too @JeffB418) If I were at the point of spending $1k (for the pro, $750 for the starter) I would be between the p4e and the pro pack; at least something less basic.

I've seen the maven, and fawned over it, then saw the price (which isn't unreasonable if it delivers what it promises). The modularity of hydros is part of my confusion. GHL has a central hub, everything runs from there. Hydros seems to have a main brain which is stuck in every device with some different functionality in the ports.

Picking a place to start seems daunting with hydros.

Yeah. That’s a big challenge for a lot of people. That’s why they released the Launch. It’s a perfect first device for any collective. And right now until Monday it’s under $500. It’s got the best of everything. Some ac outlets. Some drive ports. Etc.

 

[Mschmidt]

Yeah. That’s a big challenge for a lot of people. That’s why they released the Launch. It’s a perfect first device for any collective. And right now until Monday it’s under $500. It’s got the best of everything. Some ac outlets. Some drive ports. Etc.

The launch was second on my hydros list, with added probes.


I don't think I've ever read so much and understood so little as when I began looking at these companies.

 

[KrisReef]

The launch was second on my hydros list, with added probes.


I don't think I've ever read so much and understood so little as when I began looking at these companies.

Yup, "Functionality", Ultra fast, use the port cable, fits this, that and the other,

I have never boughten Ikea because I heard the instructions were written by the same programmers?

 

[Mschmidt]

Yup, "Functionality", Ultra fast, use the port cable, fits this, that and the other,

I have never boughten Ikea because I heard the instructions were written by the same programmers?

and what is this "bus" I keep reading about?

 

[Mschmidt]

@Connor At CoralVue can I, without much or any effort, control my kamoar dosers from the control 4?

 

[n2585722]

If you are interested I have a build thread here on R2R that has quite a bit of Hydros info and screenshots of the settings. The Hydros info starts on page 6 post # 119. To get to my build thread here click on "My Tank Thread" banner on one of my post and that will get you to the build thread. Just go to page 6 and post #119 to get to the start of the Hydros info. I got the X4 starter kit 4 years ago. Now my collective has 15 controllers and controls everything at the tank and my mixing station and RODI unit. I even have it controlling some non aquarium things also.

 

[Mschmidt]

If you are interested I have a build thread here on R2R that has quite a bit of Hydros info and screenshots of the settings. The Hydros info starts on page 6 post # 119. To get to my build thread here click on "My Tank Thread" banner on one of my post and that will get you to the build thread. Just go to page 6 and post #119 to get to the start of the Hydros info. I got the X4 starter kit 4 years ago. Now my collective has 15 controllers and controls everything at the tank and my mixing station and RODI unit. I even have it controlling some non aquarium things also.

Dude, you went deep into hydros! I'll take a look.