65 gallon reef
- Thread starter KMUNCC
- Start date
Awesome. I have not owned this specific NiCrew but have heard many comments on it, if you haven’t yet, I’d strongly consider getting the controller to go with it. Many say it is a must have as you can fine tune the light with 5 channels.
Beyond that, it seems to get great feed back.
Amazon.com: NICREW HyperReef Gen 2 Controller, 5 Channels Adjustable, Touch Button Control, 2.4 in LCD Screen, with Daisy Chain Function : Pet Supplies
Amazon.com: NICREW HyperReef Gen 2 Controller, 5 Channels Adjustable, Touch Button Control, 2.4 in LCD Screen, with Daisy Chain Function : Pet Supplies
a.co
Beyond that, it seems to get great feed back.
Affordable really depends on one’s personal budget.
Pre-made you have Neptune Apex, CoralVue Hydros, GHL Profilux, and a few others. Each of these will generally cost $200-$500+ new depending on what “features” you want. Most do pretty much all the same thing. I run Apex, @griss just switched to Hydros, @n2585722 also runs hydros. I’m not aware what others on here uses. Really the biggest complaints I’ve seen come down to customer service (with Neptune sliding recently after its acquisition by Aperture)
If you’re pretty tech savvy and DIY, there’s also ReefPi which I believe is free software but then just the cost to DIY necessary parts of it.
reef-pi.github.io
Pre-made you have Neptune Apex, CoralVue Hydros, GHL Profilux, and a few others. Each of these will generally cost $200-$500+ new depending on what “features” you want. Most do pretty much all the same thing. I run Apex, @griss just switched to Hydros, @n2585722 also runs hydros. I’m not aware what others on here uses. Really the biggest complaints I’ve seen come down to customer service (with Neptune sliding recently after its acquisition by Aperture)
If you’re pretty tech savvy and DIY, there’s also ReefPi which I believe is free software but then just the cost to DIY necessary parts of it.
reef-pi - An opensource reef tank controller based on Raspberry Pi
reef-pi - An opensource reef tank controller based on Raspberry Pi
I'm still running Apex. I bought used components here and there. I'm not very technical and had a lot of help from @kharmaguru getting it setup and running. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the Apex. My only complaints are: 1. My display constantly goes dark (unreadable) and 2. About once every month or two, the unit loses connection to Fusion and I have to unplug all the power cords and plug them back in to re-establish connection.
When I bought the 150 for my long overdue upgrade, it came with two Hydros components. A friend who was getting out of the hobby then sold me his Hydros setup. So, once the upgrade is done, I'll be switched over to Hydros. As I mentioned, I'm not very technical and struggle with programming the Hydros. I'm currently using the Wave Engine and Octo Pulse powerheads on the current tank.
When I bought the 150 for my long overdue upgrade, it came with two Hydros components. A friend who was getting out of the hobby then sold me his Hydros setup. So, once the upgrade is done, I'll be switched over to Hydros. As I mentioned, I'm not very technical and struggle with programming the Hydros. I'm currently using the Wave Engine and Octo Pulse powerheads on the current tank.
I have never used the salinity module for my Apex. From everything I've read, they are not very accurate.
n2585722
Well-known member
The Hydros Launch runs $604.99 and comes with a pH probe and temp sensor. The controller has 4 AC outlets, 4 drive ports, 4 sense ports, a pH/ORP port and a salinity port. You would have to get the salinity probe kit if you want to monitor salinity. That comes with the salinity probe and 2 bottles of calibration solutions. The calibration is done at 2 different points so that is the reason for 2 bottles. That is a good starting point and if you need more of any of the ports you can get another controller with the needed ports, a command bus cable and a couple of terminators and then you can add the new controller and create a collective. After that to add on you will just need the new controller and a command bus cable to add it to the collective.
I have no idea with regards the salinity probe so I’ll leave that to the others.
One peace of mind thing is to get a wifi security camera (Wyze is popular but other brands should be fine) to access while you’re away
One peace of mind thing is to get a wifi security camera (Wyze is popular but other brands should be fine) to access while you’re away
n2585722
Well-known member
I have a Wyze that is pointed at the tank also so I can see it if I need to do that. I also have my son and daughter that live near enough that the can run by the house if there is an issue and I need to have them check for me. They go by once a day anyway to feed our cat if we are out of town anyway. Of coarse we have done the same for them when they are out of town.
