Apex vs Hydros. Salinity & PH

[ecam]

Hey guys. Anyone running a hydros now. How is the salinity and ph probe ?

The apex as usual is driving me crazy. Would love someone to compare the two if they have the experience

 

[Jamie S]

Following along as I’m curious people’s thoughts as well.

 

[kevin]

I'm back into reefing after 10+ years, but i did have an APEX back then. However, can't tell you how APEX holds up today.

Started my tank in August 2024 & bought a Hydros setup. I love the hydros, ironically today, the salinity probe is finally matching my milwaukee refractometer. It was always .01/.02 off.
My hanna reads .01 lower than my milwaukee
Tomorrow I'll update with the pH. I have a milwaukee stand-alone pH tester as well, so I'll run those tests tomorrow.

 

[ecam]

@kevin can you share some pics of the setup. What gives me pause is the 3ft length of the probes. You essentially have to have it over water

 

[kevin]

I just have a small 30g AIO.

These are old pictures but I'll take more tonight

Wiring is a mess because I kept adding hydros modules

 

[The Gooch]

I run a hydros with a pinpoint ph probe. It's been rock solid for last 6 months. I check it and calibrate once in a while but it hasn't deviated much at all. No idea about salinity because it requires me to either purchase an additional X4 or Launch to get that option. I don't see the value there. I monitor temp, PH, and ORP with Hydros. Would love to have salinity on there but not at that the additional cost. Maybe one day they will have an add on cheaper salinity module.

 

[mnat]

I am super new to controllers as this is our first one in 15 years of reefing, but we are running the Hydros PH to control our calcium reactor and really like it so far. Easy to dial in on the app.

 

[radiata]

Mr. Saltwater, on a SaltwaterAquarium.com series, recently raved about the Hydros salinity probe. Without naming names, he said it was the best out there. (He also has a Neptune controller, so you know what he was comparing it to.)

 

[kevin]

Hydros pH = 7.67 currently (running since August) reclibrated today . Which ironically they use a milwaukee probe for it. At least that's what my launch came with
Milwaukee mw102 pinpoint = 7.83 tested just now
Hanna ph handheld 7.8 tested just now

So my hydros is a little off. Maybe it's still breaking in. Took awhile for the salinity probe to break it. Still reading .01 higher than the milwaukee.

 

[kevin]

@kevin can you share some pics of the setup. What gives me pause is the 3ft length of the probes. You essentially have to have it over water

You can get extensions from Amazon to make it longer. Or do you mean for the conductivity of it, that being over water will mess it up?

 

[ecam]

The extension part is what I was concerned about but if it’s working even if extended. I’m excited !!!

 

[kevin]

Amazon.com
For the extension
I think they said 6ft is the longest you can go before you will have issues

 

[ecam]

6ft total length with probe or
3 + 6 =9 total length ?

 

[kevin]

6ft total length with probe or
3 + 6 =9 total length ?

I believe 6ft total. However, I'm trying to locate where I read that info & I can't find it. Maybe I made that up
I'll keep searching for it

Edit: I think what I read was to only put 1 extension, doesn't matter the length.