Aquawiz KH Controller - Install and Experience

[Alexander1312]

While we have some general threads around this KH controller, which is now available in its 5th generation, I did not see one where we share how to use this and any pitfalls, workarounds, or tips and tricks to improve the experience.

Also, there seems to be valuable information shared across various platforms, including Reef2Reef, youtube, some stuff on facebook (Hydros connectivity), etc, which are worth summarizing.

Kicking this off, why did I buy this (while I was for quite a while against/not excited about the idea of auto testing KH?). In the order of priority.

1. Consistently higher alkalinity/auto testing + auto dosing: To this date, I only test alkalinity once a week. I continue to have alkalinity fluctuations, running alkalinity now for quite a while (well) below 7 dkh, leaving PH improvement and growth on the table. I am hoping to keep a consistent 7.5 dkh with using this device.

2. Longer absences due to international travel: I test alkalinity through the hanna checker and adjust dosing through the Ecotech Versa dosing pump. Both are NOT compatible with international travel, and I worry about alkalinity all the time until I return home, which is annoying.

3. It does not require any reagents to test alkalinity reliably: The ability to combine reagent free auto testing and auto dosing seems almost too good to be true, which made me very suspicious for quite some time. Still, I could not find any meaningful downsides which offset these benefits.

4. Repairability seems perfect: It appears as if literally all parts of this device can be easily purchased and replaced easily due to its simple construction.

5. Hydros (and APEX) integration. The BNC cable connects to either a Hydros or APEX and you can see its readings in their respective apps.

6. 10% off from the regular price was a great deal.

Cons + risks related to this purchase:
My European friends have been using this device for quite some time now and I have been reading their various issues and concerns, but none of them seemed alarming, and more one-off. Still, the following issues could still materialize:

1. Price seems very high given the perceived lower quality of this device.

2. Company might go out of business or spare part and app support might become suddenly inaccessible. All companies could go out of business suddenly (see Reef Factory), but if you like me and read a lot about geopolitics, there seems to be a slightly higher risk given their place of business.

3. I heard that some generations are rather noisy, but that the newer generations should have fixed this issue. I am still a bit worried about this but did not want to dwell on it before pulling the trigger.

4. I am not 100% clear if the auto-dosing through the device itself is really that safe, given their quality of the dosing pumps. I would hate to see the pump failing while I am in Germany for three weeks, but a lot of folks do it, and I hope that as long as maintanance is done properly, this will not become an issue.

 

[Alexander1312]

Even before purchasing this device, I thought about where to place this since water will go into and out of his device, and I did not want to have it sit near my power outlets.

From what I understand, the device should be above the water level (sump). Finding the 3d print file to hang it onto an elevated platform under the tank convinced me that I might be ready to purchase this device (refer to my tank journal).

Two additional items seem to be needed to properly install this.

1. An extension power cord since the power cord it comes with does not appear to be long. Alternatively, a longer power cable (not sure which size and where to purchase them, but looks like a standard small power device). SHNITPWR 12V 5A 60W Power Supply Adapter AC DC Converter 100V~240V to 12 Volt 5 Amp Transformer 5.5x2.5mm Plug for 5050 3528 LED Strip Light 3D Printer LED Driver CCTV Security System LCD Monitor https://a.co/d/07jv1VNL

2. A long BNC cable to connect it with the Hydros controller. I wonder if there a quality differences than need to be observed, but will otherwise just buy this one: MOOKEERF BNC Cable - 6FT RG58 50 ohm Male to Male Coax Cables Low Loss BNC Extension Coaxial Cable with for Antennas, RF Radios, Modems, Oscilloscopes, Spectrum, etc (Black) https://a.co/d/0iqJCmDf

 

[CaseyP]

6. 10% off from the regular price was a great deal.

My European friends have been using this device for quite some time now and I have been reading their various issues and concerns, but none of them seemed alarming, and more one-off.

1. You're welcome
2. What issues have come up?

 

[Alexander1312]

1. You're welcome

Enabler.

2. What issues have come up?

Mainly what I mentioned, noise in older models (air pump I believe), algae growth inside the container, some calibration issues, and results from not cleaning this on a regular basis. Nothing that strikes me as a no go (such as the new iPhone ultra without Face ID).

 

[CaseyP]

Got mine today. Pleased with how much smaller the gen 5 is. I'm heading out of town soon so installation will have to wait until next week.

 

[Alexander1312]

Also got mine today . Will set it up later today. It is much smaller than I expected. Fits perfect on the platform.

I watched this yesterday and found it in parts informative. He sounds like one of those youtube danglers, but I somewhat believe him that he really tested the accuracy of this device with 3 hanna reagent bottles and never had a deviation of more than 0.1 dkh, which I have heard from others who are not getting paid for reviewing this

 

[Alexander1312]

First report on the setup. All is very simple, EXCEPT the WIFI setup, which is horrible!

It needs to connect to a 2.4 GHZ network which literally all Hydros devices require as well, but it does not want to accept the connection.

I have read in user forums that this is a perennial issue, but I could not believe I face the same issue.

More to come, but overall very annoying.

 

[Alexander1312]

WIFI issue cost me 2-3 hours of my life time, plus additional life expectancy reduction due to the anger that no one could help with this from the official support channels both in the US and Europe.

So I had to help myself with the help of AI.

I had to setup a new separate network on my router, with a simpler SSID, simpler password, and WPA2 vs WPA/WP2 mixed protocol. Now all works very well.

 

[Alexander1312]

Please ignore the PH as this is not the actual tank value, only used for the measurement.

 

[PjFish]

WIFI issue cost me 2-3 hours of my life time, plus additional life expectancy reduction due to the anger that no one could help with this from the official support channels both in the US and Europe.

So I had to help myself with the help of AI.

I had to setup a new separate network on my router, with a simpler SSID, simpler password, and WPA2 vs WPA/WP2 mixed protocol. Now all works very well.

I assume you already were using a duel band router. Did you have to change any of the vpn settings also?
Well you will get those hours back next time you fly back to Germany!!

 

[Alexander1312]

I assume you already were using a duel band router. Did you have to change any of the vpn settings also?

Yes, an older Orbi RBR850, with a dedicated IoT network with 2.4 GHZ, no VPN.

However, the SSID (and password) are bit more complicated with separations, numbers and hyphen, and this is apparently not liked by some IoT devices - this is the first one I encountered. Also, the mixed protocol seems to bother some devices.

Its a bit like fighting dinos, you try a lot and then they go away, and you do not know why exactly, and so it is not clear which of the three actions (SSID/password/WP2) finally resolved it, but it only took a minute to setup a guest network for this purpose - at least for now.

 

[Alexander1312]

Played around with the chart setting, and show only dkh.

Seems relatively stable already, without dosing through the device, but might switch to dosing by the controller in about a week from now, as often recommend, vs immediately.

 

[L/B Block]

Played around with the chart setting, and show only dkh.

Seems relatively stable already, without dosing through the device, but might switch to dosing by the controller in about a week from now, as often recommend, vs immediately.

View attachment 79946

What do you dose alkalinity with. I can’t imagine using anything to dose AFR.

 

[Alexander1312]

What do you dose alkalinity with. I can’t imagine using anything to dose AFR.

I have been using Fauna Marin’s Balling Light. But you can use All for Reef (or Ready to Reef) with this setup as well, but the consumption based auto dosing might need to be tweaked based on how this alkalinity solution works with delays I believe.

I can find out if there is interest, as I have read others asking the question on how setup this up with one part solutions.

The main point though is that you see your alkalinity development and can adjust your dosing manually (or automatic) with one device which you can control remotely.

 

[psidriven]

I found some fog/condensation in the lcd screen, which I assume was due to it being in the stand right above the sump. So something to consider if you're keeping it in the stand.

 

[PjFish]

Have you popped the hood.. If so how does the construction and connections look underneath?

 

[Alexander1312]

I found some fog/condensation in the lcd screen, which I assume was due to it being in the stand right above the sump. So something to consider if you're keeping it in the stand.

Good to know. Have not heard this before, and will watch out for this. Is this a gen 4 or gen 5 model? My stand is fully open on the back, so I hope humidity will be not as high.

 

[Alexander1312]

Have you popped the hood.. If so how does the construction and connections look underneath?

this device is an extremly simple 3d print box and a bunch of pumps and cables plus a controller board loosely placed inside the box. Some complain about this as being low quality, but others praise it because you can super easily replaced every single part for not a lot money. The video above shows what's under the hood.

 

[Patio]

Have you popped the hood.. If so how does the construction and connections look underneath?

Check it out. Kalamazoo Reefer shows some under the hood.

 

[psidriven]

Gen 4.