Aquarium controllers, PH controllers, dosing systems etc

[Aquajack]

For 95% of people in this hobby, running an aquarium appears to be guess work, casual observations and not a lot of data driven applications.
That's where scapecrunch is amazing and so many like minded people here.

I love the tech side of it too which I'm only just starting to get into to help me progress the hobby further.
I was thinking about this as I was in our big box hardware store today just to pick up a minor plumbing item and ended up walking out the door with 90% of the material required for a Yugang reactor lol. Don't ask me how that happened! That will be another thread in the future I'm sure.

For now, my point is that when I get around to implementing the reactor, I don't want to rely only on CO2 kits to let me know what is happening.
I've seen some of you showing the PH charts which I think would be super helpful. Atleast to me as that is how my brain works best.

Which brings me to the equipment discussion. I was thinking about a PH probe (but not really as much to control CO2, just as a fail safe for that). More to log the PH data. Most stand alone PH controllers like Milwaukee do not log the data far as I can see.

Also, will be looking at fert dosing. For this I was considering something like the chihiros system.

I have a decent regulator to start with. Well I think it is lol. Also a flow meter (which i still haven't tested yet) so that side should be ok.

I also don't want to spend a fortune on an aquarium computer if I don't really need it. Most are starting at around $1,500 AUD here.

Do I just find a stand alone PH probe that will do what I want and the doser and call it a day?

What monitoring/automation systems do you use?

 

[Capraquaria]

If you don't want or need a full pH controller, as one element of getting my CO2 dialed in with the Yugang (I am using the large ARC Stainless on a 150U), I am using the Apera pH60-Z pH probe. Once it is calibrated, you can mount it on the tank (I am using a Small-Rig arm and clamp), and it's been sitting on my tank for the last week, running non-stop. It logs the data via the ZenTest app, stores the data in the cloud, and you can export CSV files of that data if needed. Right now I have an old Android tablet that is pretty much dedicated to running this tank, as everything seems to be so app-heavy these days, but this Apera model been working well so far, and really helps me see when/if I am hitting equilibrium before the photoperiod, and any fluctuations in pH during the photoperiod. It has been handy several times for catching the flowmeter drifting downward, and needing to be adjusted.


I just have it sitting in the back corner of the tank:

You can set the recording frequency for the data points, too. From continuous, to every x minutes or hours. Here I had it set to record a data point every five minutes.

 

[Koan]

Here's a discussion on that from @JacksonL just a couple weeks ago

Hypothesis Thread 'In line pH probe - genius or terrible idea?'

Apr 24, 2026

As I rethink the plumbing in my tank, I am planning to remove as much equipment from the tank as possible.
Being a relatively smaller tank (130L, 80cm) there are less places to hide all the tech.
On other tanks, I have used cable glands, meant for electrical installs, to install standard in tank heaters in line. I have had these running for about 8 years and they have never leaked a drop. So I am comfortable that they are waterproof.
I am looking to use one to install my pH probe between the filter outlet and my CO2 reactor.
I have made a prototype setup which is pictured below. Before I...

• JacksonL
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Equipment Discussions

• 

 

[RockyProndoa]

For 95% of people in this hobby, running an aquarium appears to be guess work, casual observations and not a lot of data driven applications.
That's where scapecrunch is amazing and so many like minded people here.

I love the tech side of it too which I'm only just starting to get into to help me progress the hobby further.
I was thinking about this as I was in our big box hardware store today just to pick up a minor plumbing item and ended up walking out the door with 90% of the material required for a Yugang reactor lol. Don't ask me how that happened! That will be another thread in the future I'm sure.

For now, my point is that when I get around to implementing the reactor, I don't want to rely only on CO2 kits to let me know what is happening.
I've seen some of you showing the PH charts which I think would be super helpful. Atleast to me as that is how my brain works best.

Which brings me to the equipment discussion. I was thinking about a PH probe (but not really as much to control CO2, just as a fail safe for that). More to log the PH data. Most stand alone PH controllers like Milwaukee do not log the data far as I can see.

Also, will be looking at fert dosing. For this I was considering something like the chihiros system.

I have a decent regulator to start with. Well I think it is lol. Also a flow meter (which i still haven't tested yet) so that side should be ok.

I also don't want to spend a fortune on an aquarium computer if I don't really need it. Most are starting at around $1,500 AUD here.

Do I just find a stand alone PH probe that will do what I want and the doser and call it a day?

What monitoring/automation systems do you use?

Well, my situation is a bit different than probably most, but I use a Neptune Systems - Apex controller to automate my system. In my fish room/finished basement, I have saltwater/reef and freshwater systems, so I run them all off of my Apex controller. For the freshwater side, I can/do control or monitor the following:

1. Heaters via a temperature probe
2. Dosing Pumps for micros/macros
3. Lights On/Off
4. CO2 - the Apex opens/closes the solenoid valve via the readings of the pH probe.
5. Water changes - the Apex opens/closes solenoid valves that drain and refill the tank. (I also seperately use an irrigation controller with a 15-point manifold for my breeding racks).

I do have a new 235g freshwater build that I am going to start a journal on in a few weeks, but this Apex controller will also do most of the automation on this tank as well. However - for mostly curiosity purposes, I am going to use the Chihiros Dosing Pump system on this new build. I always like trying 'new' tech and equipment, and I am generally curious to see how this one stacks up against my Apex.

 

[SingAlongWithTsing]

I'm using Coralvue hydros for:

1. Temp monitoring / fan controls
2. Dosing pump for micros/macros
3. CO2: Open/close my solenoid valve, turning on/off the pump on my co2 reactor since it's on a separate loop.
4. Flow monitoring on my return lines
5. ph monitoring, thinking of switching out the pH probe for an at Atlas Scientific branded one (supposedly doesn't need to be calibrated as often)
6. leak sensor

Using Hydros X4, XP8, Minnow, and Wave Engine 2.

My Netlea leds are on own their own app since I have em ramping and ramping down in intensity.

Hydros doesnt have an option to export data/charts though, not sure when/if they'll ever do.

 

[Aquajack]

Well, my situation is a bit different than probably most, but I use a Neptune Systems - Apex controller to automate my system. In my fish room/finished basement, I have saltwater/reef and freshwater systems, so I run them all off of my Apex controller. For the freshwater side, I can/do control or monitor the following:

1. Heaters via a temperature probe
2. Dosing Pumps for micros/macros
3. Lights On/Off
4. CO2 - the Apex opens/closes the solenoid valve via the readings of the pH probe.
5. Water changes - the Apex opens/closes solenoid valves that drain and refill the tank. (I also seperately use an irrigation controller with a 15-point manifold for my breeding racks).

I do have a new 235g freshwater build that I am going to start a journal on in a few weeks, but this Apex controller will also do most of the automation on this tank as well. However - for mostly curiosity purposes, I am going to use the Chihiros Dosing Pump system on this new build. I always like trying 'new' tech and equipment, and I am generally curious to see how this one stacks up against my Apex.

Nice one, I know a few here use either the Apex, GHL profilux or Coralvue. They would certainly do the job.
Since the post i've done a little more digging and found you can actually DIY your own aquarium PC system with Home Assistant as the interface + an addon. You only need a couple small hardware circuits readily available, open source software and whatever probes, dosing hardware etc you want.

That might be something down the track I think I'll seriously look at. I was even looking at encompassing a DIY digital version of a drop checker that will run on the same system and stream a constant measurement of CO2 ppm and log the data. So much more useful than a drop checker but the data will be about 60-90 min delayed like a drop checker. Still, I think that would be an advancement on what we have currently, unless you want to fork out thousands for an OxyGuard.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

For 95% of people in this hobby, running an aquarium appears to be guess work, casual observations and not a lot of data driven applications.
That's where scapecrunch is amazing and so many like minded people here.

I love the tech side of it too which I'm only just starting to get into to help me progress the hobby further.
I was thinking about this as I was in our big box hardware store today just to pick up a minor plumbing item and ended up walking out the door with 90% of the material required for a Yugang reactor lol. Don't ask me how that happened! That will be another thread in the future I'm sure.

For now, my point is that when I get around to implementing the reactor, I don't want to rely only on CO2 kits to let me know what is happening.
I've seen some of you showing the PH charts which I think would be super helpful. Atleast to me as that is how my brain works best.

Which brings me to the equipment discussion. I was thinking about a PH probe (but not really as much to control CO2, just as a fail safe for that). More to log the PH data. Most stand alone PH controllers like Milwaukee do not log the data far as I can see.

Also, will be looking at fert dosing. For this I was considering something like the chihiros system.

I have a decent regulator to start with. Well I think it is lol. Also a flow meter (which i still haven't tested yet) so that side should be ok.

I also don't want to spend a fortune on an aquarium computer if I don't really need it. Most are starting at around $1,500 AUD here.

Do I just find a stand alone PH probe that will do what I want and the doser and call it a day?

What monitoring/automation systems do you use?

I use GHL Profilux 4 system. It's a super expensive system, but literally used by professional aquariums around the world. When I saw some used at the Denver Aquarium to monitor and run the saltwater display tanks, I knew they were legit.

They will do everything you want and more, with redundancy, repairability, modularity, and reliability. Every time, just up to you to know what you're doing with it.

High quality pH and temp probes, black mechanical float switches (that have NEVER failed, not even once). Insane programability with logic programming. I can access via it's own wifi, my house's wifi, ethernet, USB, cellular... It handles my automated fert dosing, outlet switching, temperature protection, CO2 injection, auto top offs, water changes, and more. And it does it all while recording every single dose, every pH and temp reading every 15 minutes, and applying it into easy to read interactive live graphs.

If I'm out of town, I can check my CO2 setup from across the world as long as the computer is connected to my home's wifi, which is super reliable (even if a bit slow). It hasn't ever failed me once.

It has it's quirks, but there are no servers, no passwords, no issues. I might consider trusting my life (or, at least the threat of flooding my house with water) to one of these computers, if it was programmed correctly. Used by high-end reefers around the world, hardly touched by freshwater hobbyists.

You can see more in this thread. They should sponsor me!

 

[Aquajack]

I'm using Coralvue hydros for:

1. Temp monitoring / fan controls
2. Dosing pump for micros/macros
3. CO2: Open/close my solenoid valve, turning on/off the pump on my co2 reactor since it's on a separate loop.
4. Flow monitoring on my return lines
5. ph monitoring, thinking of switching out the pH probe for an at Atlas Scientific branded one (supposedly doesn't need to be calibrated as often)
6. leak sensor

Using Hydros X4, XP8, Minnow, and Wave Engine 2.

My Netlea leds are on own their own app since I have em ramping and ramping down in intensity.

Hydros doesnt have an option to export data/charts though, not sure when/if they'll ever do.

Sounds good. Pretty much what I would like to encompass. I just figure as I am starting out and haven't purchased individual dosers, probes etc I amy as well look at all possibilities.

I use GHL Profilux system. It's a super expensive system, but literally used by professional aquariums around the world. When I saw some used at the Denver Aquarium to monitor and run the saltwater display tanks, I knew they were legit.

They will do everything you want and more, with redundancy, repairability, modularity, and reliability. Every time, just up to you to know what you're doing with it.

High quality pH and temp probes, black mechanical float switches (that have NEVER failed, not even once). Insane programmability with logic programming. I can access via it's own wifi, my house's wifi, ethernet, USB, cellular... It handles my automated fert dosing, outlet switching, temperature protection, CO2 injection, auto top offs, water changes, and more. And it does it all while recording every single dose, every pH and temp reading every 15 minutes, and applying it into easy to read interactive live graphs.

If I'm out of town, I can check my CO2 setup from across the world as long as the computer is connected to my home's wifi, which is super reliable (even if a bit slow). It hasn't ever failed me once.

It has it's quirks, but there are no servers, no passwords, no issues. I might consider trusting my life (or, at least the threat of flooding my house with water) to one of these computers, if it was programmed correctly. Used by high-end reefers around the world, hardly touched by freshwater hobbyists.

You can see more in this thread. They should sponsor me!

Thanks Rocco! I knew you had one of those but didn't know the extent to which you were using it. That sounds crazy good and you probably wonder now what you did without it. I'll have a good read of that thread too. I would prefer an all in one rather than 5 different hardware components independently operating and 5 different apps etc.

 

[Capraquaria]

Sounds good. Pretty much what I would like to encompass. I just figure as I am starting out and haven't purchased individual dosers, probes etc I amy as well look at all possibilities.

Thanks Rocco! I knew you had one of those but didn't know the extent to which you were using it. That sounds crazy good and you probably wonder now what you did without it. I'll have a good read of that thread too. I would prefer an all in one rather than 5 different hardware components independently operating and 5 different apps etc.

The first time I saw the GHL was via a GA video, so those freshwater folks are using it extensively, including to help diagnose issues with client tanks. I have looked at the ProFilux pretty extensively, and put in my cart multiple times, but kept chickening out, and wondering if it was overkill. In retrospect, with my current build, I should have done it already, especially as it can expand to multiple tanks. The idea of controlling everything under one roof, so to speak, would be far more straightforward than digging through multiple apps and connectivity issues. I have little question that once I get our former workout room remodeled (which includes jettisoning the previous owner's exercise equipment), and can convert into a home studio space, this will be the first purchase before I start adding tanks. It makes a ridiculous amount of sense.

 

[Aquajack]

The first time I saw the GHL was via a GA video, so those freshwater folks are using it extensively, including to help diagnose issues with client tanks. I have looked at the ProFilux pretty extensively, and put in my cart multiple times, but kept chickening out, and wondering if it was overkill. In retrospect, with my current build, I should have done it already, especially as it can expand to multiple tanks. The idea of controlling everything under one roof, so to speak, would be far more straightforward than digging through multiple apps and connectivity issues. I have little question that once I get our former workout room remodeled (which includes jettisoning the previous owner's exercise equipment), and can convert into a home studio space, this will be the first purchase before I start adding tanks. It makes a ridiculous amount of sense.

Yeh the more I think about it the more it does make sense. I've also seen GA use them, and looked like it would be so beneficial for running high tech tanks. Particularly with a setup like yours (which is an amazing build btw).

The two main models out there seem to be Apex & GHL By the looks. Apex appears a little more user friendly but the GHL can be customized a little more if you get to harness it's full powers.

Definitely a game changer once you have it fully running I would suggest. But of course I'm not the one to say that which is kinda why i started this thread.

 

[Dennis Wong]

I come from the opposite angle, and make use of less automation as I find them to be potential weak points. I also dislike having more equipment touching the tank glass. The main automation I have is CO2 injection (fixed rate) on a timer and the in-built timer in the light system.

I do own various devices, like auto dosers and stuff sent to me from other businesses and sponsors, but gradually I stopped using them. A large part maybe that my tanks and tap water run in a very predictable fashion. I think an auto-nutrient level reader would be the one useful thing I would pay for, but the current ones on the market that I know of aren't that precise.