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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Feb 28, 2023 10:10:12 GMT -5
Hey guys, here it is. I want to know everyone’s opinions on which controller is better or worse. Which you bought or prefer and why? I’m looking at the Neptune Apex or the coralvue hydros.
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Post by spotfin on Feb 28, 2023 17:04:54 GMT -5
I've been out of the game for awhile. What do these control?
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Feb 28, 2023 17:51:55 GMT -5
I've been out of the game for awhile. What do these control? These can control everything from lights, heaters, ph probes, auto top offs, power heads, pretty much everything depending on how they are configured. |
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Post by spotfin on Mar 2, 2023 22:12:44 GMT -5
Oh, wow! I had a Jehmco controller for my heater on the stingray tank. That was sweet.
I bet either would work for you. Both are well know brands?
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Post by HomegrownReef on Mar 13, 2023 13:46:56 GMT -5
I have dealt extensively with both systems. Personally I don't trust them to do much "controlling" still.... software updates have extreme negative effects on a reef tank with one bum line of code.
that being said I LOVE the Hydros for a PH/ temp monitor and central dosing control station. Hydros dosing pumps are awesome! I also do use it for some leak detection and high water alarms (something that apex is notoriously horrible at) and it functions very well!
I would never purchase ...the other guys (apex). The hardware and software is incredibly antiquated and not worth the money spent. that being said if you could have a standalone trident it is an option I would consider. Trident has its downfalls (mostly in tubing clogs/failure) but is a pretty awesome piece of reef machinery - worth the money if you didn't need an apex brain to run it.
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Mar 14, 2023 12:00:51 GMT -5
My biggest thing I need right now is a good solid PH probe and PH monitoring device that can turn off a dedicated kalkwrasser dosing pump. Just trying to sort out which is my best option and best for long term upgrades as I decide the direction I want to go.
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Post by adinin on Mar 14, 2023 16:31:54 GMT -5
Have you looked at the reef-pi based systems at all? They are an open sourced system based on a raspberry-pi, very customizable and can be bare bones or open up to all kinds of sensors and controlling outlets and stuff. The robo tank is a pre built system I was looking at for a while, the only reason I did get one a while ago was the shortages of Pi's during the pandemic. It looks like they are coming with one installed now, so that's not a worry. The deluxe version of it only runs about $300, you just have to get the probes you want to run.
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Post by ryansweatt2004 on Mar 14, 2023 16:43:37 GMT -5
Have you looked at the reef-pi based systems at all? They are an open sourced system based on a raspberry-pi, very customizable and can be bare bones or open up to all kinds of sensors and controlling outlets and stuff. The robo tank is a pre built system I was looking at for a while, the only reason I did get one a while ago was the shortages of Pi's during the pandemic. It looks like they are coming with one installed now, so that's not a worry. The deluxe version of it only runs about $300, you just have to get the probes you want to run. I haven’t yet but will look into those, thanks! |
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Post by HomegrownReef on Mar 15, 2023 13:10:45 GMT -5
My biggest thing I need right now is a good solid PH probe and PH monitoring device that can turn off a dedicated kalkwrasser dosing pump. Just trying to sort out which is my best option and best for long term upgrades as I decide the direction I want to go. I'll make you a deal on a 1 year old Hydros x3, with a brand new wifi power strip. I am just upgrading to the x4. Comes with pH probe, is currently running on my 120. planning to put the x4 online this weekend. |
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Post by steelheader09 on Mar 17, 2023 20:42:10 GMT -5
I have an Apex, no idea how to really use it yet lol, I have it currently monitoring temps and pH, but I think the pH probe is bad. It does also run 2 tunze wavemakers and 2 Kessil A360s.
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