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GHL Profilux 4 mega set ideas?

Da_Neefer

Da_Neefer

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I had a scary incident last week and have decided to get a controller for the 69g tank. Picking it up today. My question for other controller users is, what should i be thinking about doing with it beyond the basic monitoring and alarms included. I know a bunch of the equipment I have won't be controllable and am limited to the 6 outlets that come with the GHL.There's a ton of accessories available and even more can be done with breakout boxes. What have you found to be indispensable, big quality of life upgrades, or complete failures after having tried them?

Current list of equipment:
UNS 90U rimless 36x22x22 tank drilled for E-shopps M overflow
Kessil AP9X in an Aquaticlife 36" T5 hybrid
Simplicity DC 2200 return pump
Lifereef skimmer, sump, refugium with Simplicity DC 2200 skimmer pump
Pair of Icecap WiFi 2k gyres
Sicce 4 pump with 2 media reactors
Pair of 200W Eheim heaters
GHL 5 fan cooling system
Bayite heater controller
KH Guardian
Avast Kalk stirrer w/BRS 50ml/min pump on digital timer. 2 mins per run 12+ times a day
Avast Plank auto feeder
Duetto A10 ATO
Milwaukee Pinpoint Ph controller w/ Aquamaxx Calcium Rector and Kamoer XTP wifi pump
Pair of 6 plug Kasa HS300 WiFi power strips


Sadly can't punch holes in the wall or I'd put in an automatic ATO fill system and a skimmer air feed

Any recommendations for a good inexpensive android tablet with Google play access to run it?

Thanks advance for any ideas!
 
You cannot go wrong with GHL.
Here is what I usually use the outlets
Return pump
Skimmer
Reactor (gfo/carbon..etc)
Fan/chiller(u do not need an outlet with ghl fans)
Heater
ATO (if you are using a FIY float based which is what I like)
None ghl Doser(I have the doser on off controlled by the khg reading, if you are using ghl doser u don't need to connect it to an outlet)

Accessories wise I use all their probs, their ATO kit(its so sleek and small footprint).
Their dosers are very good but u do not have to get it if you have a doser you like simce you run khg. With khg any doser is enough and thats the beauty of having a stand alone tester.

BTW if you have not purchased the ghl fans, ping me I have breez 6 I can give u for free.
 
ofzakaria said:
You cannot go wrong with GHL.
Here is what I usually use the outlets
Return pump
Skimmer
Reactor (gfo/carbon..etc)
Fan/chiller(u do not need an outlet with ghl fans)
Heater
ATO (if you are using a FIY float based which is what I like)
None ghl Doser(I have the doser on off controlled by the khg reading, if you are using ghl doser u don't need to connect it to an outlet)

Accessories wise I use all their probs, their ATO kit(its so sleek and small footprint).
Their dosers are very good but u do not have to get it if you have a doser you like simce you run khg. With khg any doser is enough and thats the beauty of having a stand alone tester.

BTW if you have not purchased the ghl fans, ping me I have breez 6 I can give u for free.
Click to expand...
I have started looking at the GHL fans for a local airflow which I could direct at the water to get another couple degrees out of my tank. How do you like the GHL fans?
 
Personal opinion : GHL has better quality hardware. Apex has better software and more features.

But I would question putting everything on a controller in the first place though.
For example, return pumps, skimmers, and power heads in particular.
They do not need control, so why add the extra risk of a controller failure to them.
Having some power monitoring/alarm is nice, but not necessarily enough for the added risk.
And putting large banks of LEDs on a power-bar is a possible issue due to huge inrush surge currents when turned on.
(A typical meanwell power supply has 40A inrush current, and the standard relays are 10A)
 
H2OPlayar said:
I have started looking at the GHL fans for a local airflow which I could direct at the water to get another couple degrees out of my tank. How do you like the GHL fans?
Click to expand...
They are same as any similar fans. Not huge amount of air flow. Thats why I do not use it anymore.
I got them just to try it for the garage setup cause it get hot. I ended up adding a chiller and called it a day.

I use these fans instead of the computer fan style solutions.

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ofzakaria said:
You cannot go wrong with GHL.
Here is what I usually use the outlets
Return pump
Skimmer
Reactor (gfo/carbon..etc)
Fan/chiller(u do not need an outlet with ghl fans)
Heater
ATO (if you are using a FIY float based which is what I like)
None ghl Doser(I have the doser on off controlled by the khg reading, if you are using ghl doser u don't need to connect it to an outlet)

Accessories wise I use all their probs, their ATO kit(its so sleek and small footprint).
Their dosers are very good but u do not have to get it if you have a doser you like simce you run khg. With khg any doser is enough and thats the beauty of having a stand alone tester.

BTW if you have not purchased the ghl fans, ping me I have breez 6 I can give u for free.
Click to expand...

Thank you Omar. I'm eying the ION Director for this tank which was a big reason for going GHL along with the build quality/reliability. I did expect a bit of setup issues and got em hehe. Took about 6 hrs off and on to get the connections all set up.

All those you mention will be connected but i think i'll hook up the Avast feeder vs the media reactor pump since the timer can be set for seconds instead of just minutes. I've already messaged Alex to order the AIM module to connect up the KHG although in an older thread @max_nano mentioned connecting his via BNC. Not sure how all that will work yet since I haven't seen the AIM. The KHG doser is the only one I use/need for this tank considering the kalk stirrer and CaRx already handled.

You haven't tried to use the breakout box, leak detection or other accessories yet?

I am thinking of using the ORP connection for a 2nd PH probe to control the CaRx vs the Milwaukee PH controller. I don't really see much benefit for the ORP probe but I could be wrong.

I do have the GHL Breeze 5 on this tank and a Breeze 4 on the other already. Thank you for offering the Breeze 6 but I'm set, it's very generous of you!
 
H2OPlayar said:
I have started looking at the GHL fans for a local airflow which I could direct at the water to get another couple degrees out of my tank. How do you like the GHL fans?
Click to expand...

I love them. The whole reason for this was a probe failure that caused a temp spike to 83.5 degrees. The Breeze 5 on this 100g system brought the temp back down to 78 within 2 hrs.
 
Da_Neefer said:
Thank you Omar. I'm eying the ION Director for this tank which was a big reason for going GHL along with the build quality/reliability. I did expect a bit of setup issues and got em hehe. Took about 6 hrs off and on to get the connections all set up.

All those you mention will be connected but i think i'll hook up the Avast feeder vs the media reactor pump since the timer can be set for seconds instead of just minutes. I've already messaged Alex to order the AIM module to connect up the KHG although in an older thread @max_nano mentioned connecting his via BNC. Not sure how all that will work yet since I haven't seen the AIM. The KHG doser is the only one I use/need for this tank considering the kalk stirrer and CaRx already handled.

You haven't tried to use the breakout box, leak detection or other accessories yet?

I am thinking of using the ORP connection for a 2nd PH probe to control the CaRx vs the Milwaukee PH controller. I don't really see much benefit for the ORP probe but I could be wrong.

I do have the GHL Breeze 5 on this tank and a Breeze 4 on the other already. Thank you for offering the Breeze 6 but I'm set, it's very generous of you!
Click to expand...
I might have extra AIM. I'll give it to u if I do.
I use leak detection and breakout box on the main tank. Just did not consider it as essential. I though you were asking about a must have...I know I know, leak detection can be a must have lol.
GHL have ton if features and expansions so watch out as you plan your spending ha ha.
 
rygh said:
Personal opinion : GHL has better quality hardware. Apex has better software and more features.

But I would question putting everything on a controller in the first place though.
For example, return pumps, skimmers, and power heads in particular.
They do not need control, so why add the extra risk of a controller failure to them.
Having some power monitoring/alarm is nice, but not necessarily enough for the added risk.
And putting large banks of LEDs on a power-bar is a possible issue due to huge inrush surge currents when turned on.
(A typical meanwell power supply has 40A inrush current, and the standard relays are 10A)
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I follow your logic here. For me, the overwhelming benefit of getting the controller is to provide alerts when mission critical pieces of equipment fail so they can be addressed ASAP. The control aspect for a return pump or skimmer pump is of minimal importance to me. From what I understand, if the GHL brain fails the power bar continues providing power to those outlets you've addressed to be always on.

I wouldn't connect lights as they are not GHL Mitras and have control apps of their own minus the T5's. The power "rush" at startup is handled well by much cheaper power strips handily so a much better built GHL: power bar seems to me even better suited to the task. However, I'm not enough of an electrical guy to really opine on this subject.
 
I found it.
Of u want it u can have it. Its extra
 

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Da_Neefer said:
I'm not sure I follow your logic here. For me, the overwhelming benefit of getting the controller is to provide alerts when mission critical pieces of equipment fail so they can be addressed ASAP. The control aspect for a return pump or skimmer pump is of minimal importance to me. From what I understand, if the GHL brain fails the power bar continues providing power to those outlets you've addressed to be always on.

I wouldn't connect lights as they are not GHL Mitras and have control apps of their own minus the T5's. The power "rush" at startup is handled well by much cheaper power strips handily so a much better built GHL: power bar seems to me even better suited to the task. However, I'm not enough of an electrical guy to really opine on this subject.
Click to expand...
I think it depend on the controller and the gadget. If the gadget is low risk of failure or its failure would not cause big issue, sure. But there are situations where a controller or gadget failure can cause big issue, that i would avoid unless am sure of the quality of the product.

BTW GHL in rush current spec is 160A..isnot this incredible?
 
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Da_Neefer said:
I'm not sure I follow your logic here. For me, the overwhelming benefit of getting the controller is to provide alerts when mission critical pieces of equipment fail so they can be addressed ASAP. The control aspect for a return pump or skimmer pump is of minimal importance to me. From what I understand, if the GHL brain fails the power bar continues providing power to those outlets you've addressed to be always on.

I wouldn't connect lights as they are not GHL Mitras and have control apps of their own minus the T5's. The power "rush" at startup is handled well by much cheaper power strips handily so a much better built GHL: power bar seems to me even better suited to the task. However, I'm not enough of an electrical guy to really opine on this subject.
Click to expand...
It all depends on how things fail. The always-on setting is still a software thing.

The concern is you have a single point failure tank killer : If your controller fails, everything fails.
That scares me, because it is also one of the most complex pieces of electronics on your tank.

On the plus side, Apex, and I think GHL, have a cloud based alert when they stop receiving data,
so you should know when controller dies.

When pumps/powerheads fail, one of the most common cases is that the rotor sticks due to calcium buildup.
The power use changes when that happens, but does not stop.
I am not sure if GHL (or others) measure individual currents per device and trigger warnings to that level of accuracy.

Note that relays usually fail ON, since they weld themselves together or spring rusts out.
That is good for pumps and such, but bad for dosers and heaters.
(GHL uses better relays, so less of a concern.)
 
I do believe the Apex actually monitors each outlet individually and lets you know if the power consumption changes. Not sure about the Profilux though
 
rygh said:
It all depends on how things fail. The always-on setting is still a software thing.

The concern is you have a single point failure tank killer : If your controller fails, everything fails.
That scares me, because it is also one of the most complex pieces of electronics on your tank.

On the plus side, Apex, and I think GHL, have a cloud based alert when they stop receiving data,
so you should know when controller dies.

When pumps/powerheads fail, one of the most common cases is that the rotor sticks due to calcium buildup.
The power use changes when that happens, but does not stop.
I am not sure if GHL (or others) measure individual currents per device and trigger warnings to that level of accuracy.

Note that relays usually fail ON, since they weld themselves together or spring rusts out.
That is good for pumps and such, but bad for dosers and heaters.
(GHL uses better relays, so less of a concern.)
Click to expand...
My rule of thumb is if stand alone option available i go with stand alone. Things like dosers, tester, skimmer, pumps..these I prefer the stand alone and use the controller to add a layer of protection. I do not want my doser to dump additives in my system or my return to stop if something went wrong with the controller logic or programing error.
Ofcourse if power bar of a controller blew up everything connected to it stop but tradeoffs in reliability vs protections are important.
 
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Feature request for GHL/Apex : A high quality water resistant power-strip that measure current per output.
No relays or controls, just monitoring.
 
Side note: GFCI is another one of those full tank shutdown problems.
That did happen to me. Turned out to be a combination of a cheap power strip and old powerhead.
Each leaked current just enough... shut down the whole tank. Fortunately I was there.

So I built my own "power strip" with individual GFCI on each plug. (In parallel not series)
 
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