I'm really torn between trying the ghl with the new ion director or going apex again on my new build, things like no push notification and lack of control on the plug bar keeps turning me away. The ion director could be a game changer though, if that probe remains usable for a yr or more.
Thanks so much for this review. I will not say how long I’ve been reading comments, complaints and reviews about various controllers and monitoring equipment, but this is the first time that I’ve heard that the GHL doesn’t send any notifications. GHL is now out of the running.
You are the master of right title hands down ;) it was interesting, thx for those feedback, I was looking for one, wasn't sure for GHL Alk, the Alkatronic seems more attractive for this purpose.
Listen to one first if you can - see if you think you can put up with the noise... Although they're closer to monitoring phosphate than ghl from what I understand...
Do you still have it up and running? I'm wondering if I should get the GHL Profilux set. Initially for monitoring, but if I get one, I want to be sure it's expandable for full automation eventually.
Good honest review but ive got to disagree with some of your points. 1. You mentioned the need for a second doser 2.1 for the KH director to control your Alk. The KHD only needs 3 heads for its testing and leaves you 1 spare head to dose your KH supplement. 2. Although correct about push notifications, you can set up email notifications for Alarms. Although you may need to have a profilux 4 for this. Ive not used the KHD as a standalone unit but know when connected to the P4 this is definetely possible. Im pretty sure there looking to add push notifications in a future firmware update. 🤞
Yes, I should have said I would want to adjust alk and calcium at the same rate which is why I need a 2nd doser. You're right that you need the Profilux for notifications, but even then that's only emails 🙂
@@ReefDork oh yeah that makes sense. If you would like to adjust more then just Kh in line with your test results, you would need the other doser. Yeah email notifications seem like old technology now 😂 but if you set up a email address specific to your GHL equipment, you can then get push notifications about the email. Bit of a long winded method but the same result.
You can get email notifications. You don't get push notification of the phone. Also you don't need more than the KHD to dose ALK. You can dose alk with the last , spare 4th dosing head.
I think you can only get emails if you have the Profilux. Fair point re the 4th head - I'd want it to adjust my calc at the same rate though so will need another doser. Should've said in the video 🙂
I know this is a year old but would you buy again? Idk maybe you ditched it by now or still running it. I’m thinking of going into the ghl eco system those krauts really make good quality goods but over engineered
I really didn't get on with it - ghl stuff seems to suit some people really well, but I don't have the patience for their software so I wouldn't go back now
mines been running for over a year now and still gets bubbles in regent line giving false readings so i will never use it for adjustments in alk also the pumps that are on high speed settings squeal sometimes its quite horrid iv taken them off and cleaned them etc but still does it , i messaged ghl over it and nothing was ever said back from them lol , the wheels that squeeze the tube in dosing pump should be made from polished alloy and not cheap plastic and at 1600nzd this thing should be bullet proof but it is not. dont get me wrong it is a nice bit of kit but it will only ever be a replacement auto tester to hanna i certainly hope my expensive very long awaited ion d isn't so troublesome!!
When push comes to shove it's very much like Apple vs PC. If, in the future, you are looking at a controller you will basically go either GHL (KH director) or Apex (alkatronic). Now I would love to have standardisation and cross compatibility across products but this is something which we are unlikely to see. For many it will come down to what is readily available.
@@ReefDork Thanks.. quick question.. without the Apex, does the alkatronic do notifications? Most people reviewing it already have an apex system. The profilux 4 does have notification capability.
@@ReefDork There's a trick with emails depending on provider to provide SMS although have not tried it personally. There's also a GHL SMS box which can be set up which also sends power out alerts but it costs "a lot" extra. Not sure about UK but www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-send-a-text-from-your-email-account/ may be of interest to some when it comes to messaging.
They're all gen 1 so are bound to have issues. The Alkatronic software looks ace, but it does sound noisey and the ghl hardware is quality. Don't know much about the Trident yet. Decisions, decisions!
@@bobbyknox9258 Possibly! If I was buying again today, I'd go for the Alkatronic. But if GHL sort notifications, the KHD is smaller, quieter and cheaper...
@@bobbyknox9258 I don't have the alkatronic but I played with it at another reefer.(I have the KHD). I would not advice anyone to buy alkatronic based on what I have seen in terms of hardware quality ,test accuracy and capabilities. Try to see the devices in person and when performing a test , it might simplify your decision.
I must say I am surprised by your review, I thought that the KH Director would be a more finished product by now. I have the opposite problem with how Xepta presents the results: it presents numbers and the chart is so small and counter-intuitive that it's almost useless :)
@@ReefDork As long as they continually update, and don't pull an Ecotech and only give you a decent interface with a hardware upgrade (i.e. buying the next gen of lights)
Hello .. can u pls advice what could be the issue..? I just ordered a new KH Director plus 2.1 Doser and received the same around last week. The unit tested the alkalinity well for the initial 2 days (total 4 tests done) but subsequently started giving an error as follows: Error: Titration takes too long. On further reading through your official forums and other support related articles I have noticed that the internal circulation pump of the KH Director is not functioning at all. When the reagent is being added to the KH Director, the PH does not drop, as expected. The PH Electrode is well calibrated and I have rechecked the PH Electrode calibration and it is accurate. The reagent is also getting dosed well into the KH Director. I also connected the unit to the GHL Control Center and from the diagnosis option tried to start the internal circulation pump but the internal pump does not start at all.
I have it set to 4 per day but you can set it to 1 per day if you like. Or you could set it to 0 and just click test as and when you want to test. It hardly uses any reagent though so 4 per day is fine (for me anyway)
I don’t mean to sound rude and I’m not trolling or trying to cause an argument. This is merely constructive criticism as some people will watch this video and make a decision based on your opinion. This could easily be a 10-20 minute video with a lot more in depth and detailed information. I find some of the facts/information questionable. 1. You don’t need a second doser to control alkalinity. 2. The mobile graph does show time, date and result when you touch the data point, it’s just not in a list format. It is easier to read when the overall swing is less than 1.5. My swings are 0.3-0.4 so I don’t need to touch on the data point to see the result. I can use the y axis of the graph. 3. You state there’s genuine issues with the software but don’t specify what they are. 4. Push notifications are not a major flaw as the aren’t currently a feature. 5. Ref you faulty test. In control mode the KHD will stop adjusting the dose if the result it outside of the specified range. 6. Working on the push notification software is not just limited to the KHD, they are working on it for the ProfiLux and no doubt the ION D as well. 7. It would be nice if you explained or showed what you mean by clunky software. 8. Agree on the consumable heads and think they should come in a pack of 4 for around the same price. 9. I personally found it easy to set up but I already had a P4. 10. It’s your opinion (which you’re entitled to) but recommending an Alkatronic because of the push notifications? You should really do a side by side comparison or at least a review on the Alkatronic. FYI. When in control mode, there’s a handy feature in the doser screen which shows how much the KHD has adjusted the dose. Im not connected to GHL in any way. I’ve had a P4 for 2 years, a KHD for 1 1/2 years and I’m waiting on the ION D too.
Discussion is always welcome! I'll do my best to answer your points... 1. True, but if you're adjusting alk, you probably want to adjust calc too so for me just adding alk is pointless (or at least far from ideal). 2. I just find the Alkatronic graph so much easier to read whereas I feel the GHL display makes you work harder for the information 3. I mainly mean the notifications, but I do find it generally clunky. 4. In my opinion, not having proper notifications is a huge flaw but not everyone will agree :-) 5. Interesting, thanks - good to know. 6. That's good to hear, I just think it should have had it from day 1 - I wouldn't have bought it had I known. 7. Yep, fair point. I did a video a month or so ago called 'equipment update' when I went into a bit more detail, but I try to keep my videos short - sometimes that's at the expense of not giving enough info/detail. But that wasn't the main issue so I didn't want to labour the point unnecessarily 8. In GHL's defence, their hardware has a fantastic reputation, so if you change the heads every year, it'll probably last forever. My confidence was shaken a little though by a head failing so quickly because of a build up of dust. 9. I bought a 2nd doser recently - once you've worked out how to set it up, it was easy, but I do feel GHL make it hard 10. I haven't re-watched the video, but I think I just said I'd buy the Alkatronic if I had my time again. Which is true - I actually tried to take the KHD back after the head broke - it was the final straw. Edit - i've re-watched the video now and I didn't say it's just what I do. But, having watched it again, I don't think I could have done a more balanced and fair review 🙂 There's a lot to like about the KHD (and GHL overall) and I prefer them to Neptune - build quality and reliability is just so important for something like this. And there's nobody better at that for what they do (in my opinion). But I feel their software and user experience is outdated and needs to be better to keep up with new competitors like Mobius and Reef Factory. Nothing's perfect of course, but if GHL had an awesome interface, there wouldn't even be a discussion, they'd be the best by a mile. It's just that for me personally, user experience is just so important. But you're right to point out this is my opinion - I don't intend my videos to be the last word, just something to consider and I try to be balanced wherever possible. My opinion is that there's real value in TH-camrs pointing out flaws in products as well as good stuff, even if it's what I perceive to be a personal preference that I think others will agree with. Thanks for taking the time to post such a detailed comment - I hope i've helped pad out the video a little with this reply 🙂
Totally angry with KHD and GHL Support. Within 8 months, they tell me to send it in for repair for the THIRD time. I decommissioned that garbage! Don’t buy it!
Medal on its way in the post for you, and well done you have won the bonus price of £100,000. All you have to do to claim your prize is put up a short video on TH-cam telling the world why you feel the need to put the comment "first".
Edit - as of 8 Nov 21, push notifications are finally available on the KHD! 🙌🙌
Only took them three years 😁
Thats stupid, that's the only reason to have it pretty much. I'll just hanna check every day or other day.
I'm really torn between trying the ghl with the new ion director or going apex again on my new build, things like no push notification and lack of control on the plug bar keeps turning me away. The ion director could be a game changer though, if that probe remains usable for a yr or more.
Thanks so much for this review. I will not say how long I’ve been reading comments, complaints and reviews about various controllers and monitoring equipment, but this is the first time that I’ve heard that the GHL doesn’t send any notifications. GHL is now out of the running.
@@dennon2010 it's why I made the video - I went through the same journey as you so it came as a surprise not to have them.
@@dennon2010 You do realise, that it now does do notifications?
Great detailed and honest review! i agree about the software, it does seem clunky. thanks
You are the master of right title hands down ;) it was interesting, thx for those feedback, I was looking for one, wasn't sure for GHL Alk, the Alkatronic seems more attractive for this purpose.
Listen to one first if you can - see if you think you can put up with the noise...
Although they're closer to monitoring phosphate than ghl from what I understand...
Alex great vid you’ve just stopped me rushing out to get one 👏😉👍🏴
A wise move! I'm toying with the idea of selling it.
@@ReefDorkDid you ever sell it?
I’m thinking of buying one…
Great video Alex, as always! take care matey!! 😀👍👍
Do you still have it up and running? I'm wondering if I should get the GHL Profilux set. Initially for monitoring, but if I get one, I want to be sure it's expandable for full automation eventually.
No, sold it ages ago. I have a Reef Factory KH Keeper now which I much prefer.
@@ReefDork Thank you for your reply. I'm a bit skeptical about Reef Factory at the moment, but will take a closer look.
Good honest review but ive got to disagree with some of your points.
1. You mentioned the need for a second doser 2.1 for the KH director to control your Alk. The KHD only needs 3 heads for its testing and leaves you 1 spare head to dose your KH supplement.
2. Although correct about push notifications, you can set up email notifications for Alarms. Although you may need to have a profilux 4 for this. Ive not used the KHD as a standalone unit but know when connected to the P4 this is definetely possible. Im pretty sure there looking to add push notifications in a future firmware update. 🤞
Yes, I should have said I would want to adjust alk and calcium at the same rate which is why I need a 2nd doser. You're right that you need the Profilux for notifications, but even then that's only emails 🙂
@@ReefDork oh yeah that makes sense. If you would like to adjust more then just Kh in line with your test results, you would need the other doser.
Yeah email notifications seem like old technology now 😂 but if you set up a email address specific to your GHL equipment, you can then get push notifications about the email. Bit of a long winded method but the same result.
You can get email notifications. You don't get push notification of the phone. Also you don't need more than the KHD to dose ALK. You can dose alk with the last , spare 4th dosing head.
I think you can only get emails if you have the Profilux. Fair point re the 4th head - I'd want it to adjust my calc at the same rate though so will need another doser. Should've said in the video 🙂
I know this is a year old but would you buy again? Idk maybe you ditched it by now or still running it. I’m thinking of going into the ghl eco system those krauts really make good quality goods but over engineered
I really didn't get on with it - ghl stuff seems to suit some people really well, but I don't have the patience for their software so I wouldn't go back now
Hello sir do you have an update on this? Have they updated the app? Keep up your wonderful videos!!!
I sold mine ages ago I'm afraid. I checked a couple of months ago and they still didn't have notifications 🙈
Excellent and glad to see Kamoer X4 doser. :)
mines been running for over a year now and still gets bubbles in regent line giving false readings so i will never use it for adjustments in alk also the pumps that are on high speed settings squeal sometimes its quite horrid iv taken them off and cleaned them etc but still does it , i messaged ghl over it and nothing was ever said back from them lol , the wheels that squeeze the tube in dosing pump should be made from polished alloy and not cheap plastic and at 1600nzd this thing should be bullet proof but it is not. dont get me wrong it is a nice bit of kit but it will only ever be a replacement auto tester to hanna i certainly hope my expensive very long awaited ion d isn't so troublesome!!
Have you tried the Trident system? It is a serious jump and actually a lot of people really like GHL for what does it seems.
No, I'm not too keen on it and it would cost me a lot to change so I think i'm going to stick with it for now
When push comes to shove it's very much like Apple vs PC. If, in the future, you are looking at a controller you will basically go either GHL (KH director) or Apex (alkatronic). Now I would love to have standardisation and cross compatibility across products but this is something which we are unlikely to see. For many it will come down to what is readily available.
Nicely put 👍
@@ReefDork Thanks.. quick question.. without the Apex, does the alkatronic do notifications? Most people reviewing it already have an apex system. The profilux 4 does have notification capability.
@@freakygoblin3068 It does, yes. Mr Salty has one without an Apex and gets notifications. I think the P4 only has emails...
@@ReefDork There's a trick with emails depending on provider to provide SMS although have not tried it personally. There's also a GHL SMS box which can be set up which also sends power out alerts but it costs "a lot" extra. Not sure about UK but www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-send-a-text-from-your-email-account/ may be of interest to some when it comes to messaging.
Too much faff for me - i'll just wait for ghl to release the notifications...
Excellent honest review! I don't think I'd be buying one thou!
I dont get...u use it for controlling alkanikity but still have 1.6 dkh swings? 🤔
can you do a review on the Ion Director soon please?
I'm afraid I stepped away from GHL stuff - I didn't get on with it so probably won't be going back...
Loving the honest review Alex. Not sure which way to go now after watching this. 🤔
They're all gen 1 so are bound to have issues. The Alkatronic software looks ace, but it does sound noisey and the ghl hardware is quality. Don't know much about the Trident yet. Decisions, decisions!
@@ReefDork so if money was no object the alkatronic?
@@bobbyknox9258 Possibly! If I was buying again today, I'd go for the Alkatronic. But if GHL sort notifications, the KHD is smaller, quieter and cheaper...
@@ReefDork cheers Alex this helps massively! 👍
@@bobbyknox9258 I don't have the alkatronic but I played with it at another reefer.(I have the KHD). I would not advice anyone to buy alkatronic based on what I have seen in terms of hardware quality ,test accuracy and capabilities. Try to see the devices in person and when performing a test , it might simplify your decision.
I must say I am surprised by your review, I thought that the KH Director would be a more finished product by now.
I have the opposite problem with how Xepta presents the results: it presents numbers and the chart is so small and counter-intuitive that it's almost useless :)
It's still only gen 1 so I do forgive it to a point. But not sorting notifications baffles me.
@@ReefDork As long as they continually update, and don't pull an Ecotech and only give you a decent interface with a hardware upgrade (i.e. buying the next gen of lights)
Reef Dork will they make future newer versions instead of software upgrading ?
Hello .. can u pls advice what could be the issue..?
I just ordered a new KH Director plus 2.1 Doser and received the same around last week.
The unit tested the alkalinity well for the initial 2 days (total 4 tests done) but subsequently started giving an error as follows:
Error: Titration takes too long.
On further reading through your official forums and other support related articles I have noticed that the internal circulation pump of the KH Director is not functioning at all. When the reagent is being added to the KH Director, the PH does not drop, as expected. The PH Electrode is well calibrated and I have rechecked the PH Electrode calibration and it is accurate. The reagent is also getting dosed well into the KH Director.
I also connected the unit to the GHL Control Center and from the diagnosis option tried to start the internal circulation pump but the internal pump does not start at all.
What is your opinion on it now that you have had it for more than 1 year?
I hated it so I sold it a long time ago - I now have a KH Keeper Plus which is much much better 🙂
@@ReefDorkI see, how is the Sound of dosing pump compared to the reef factory/GHL
Did you buy the GHL ion ?
No, I can't bear the GHL software - I've since sold my KHD too
@@ReefDork ohw oops ok thanks for quick reply mate 🐟🐠
@@ReefDork Are you considering Mastetronic or Alktronic??
@@binlin1402 No, I don't have the space for it.
Is there a minimum number of times you must run a test with this unit?
I have it set to 4 per day but you can set it to 1 per day if you like. Or you could set it to 0 and just click test as and when you want to test. It hardly uses any reagent though so 4 per day is fine (for me anyway)
Good honest review 👍
I don’t mean to sound rude and I’m not trolling or trying to cause an argument. This is merely constructive criticism as some people will watch this video and make a decision based on your opinion. This could easily be a 10-20 minute video with a lot more in depth and detailed information.
I find some of the facts/information questionable.
1. You don’t need a second doser to control alkalinity.
2. The mobile graph does show time, date and result when you touch the data point, it’s just not in a list format. It is easier to read when the overall swing is less than 1.5. My swings are 0.3-0.4 so I don’t need to touch on the data point to see the result. I can use the y axis of the graph.
3. You state there’s genuine issues with the software but don’t specify what they are.
4. Push notifications are not a major flaw as the aren’t currently a feature.
5. Ref you faulty test. In control mode the KHD will stop adjusting the dose if the result it outside of the specified range.
6. Working on the push notification software is not just limited to the KHD, they are working on it for the ProfiLux and no doubt the ION D as well.
7. It would be nice if you explained or showed what you mean by clunky software.
8. Agree on the consumable heads and think they should come in a pack of 4 for around the same price.
9. I personally found it easy to set up but I already had a P4.
10. It’s your opinion (which you’re entitled to) but recommending an Alkatronic because of the push notifications? You should really do a side by side comparison or at least a review on the Alkatronic.
FYI.
When in control mode, there’s a handy feature in the doser screen which shows how much the KHD has adjusted the dose.
Im not connected to GHL in any way. I’ve had a P4 for 2 years, a KHD for 1 1/2 years and I’m waiting on the ION D too.
Discussion is always welcome! I'll do my best to answer your points...
1. True, but if you're adjusting alk, you probably want to adjust calc too so for me just adding alk is pointless (or at least far from ideal).
2. I just find the Alkatronic graph so much easier to read whereas I feel the GHL display makes you work harder for the information
3. I mainly mean the notifications, but I do find it generally clunky.
4. In my opinion, not having proper notifications is a huge flaw but not everyone will agree :-)
5. Interesting, thanks - good to know.
6. That's good to hear, I just think it should have had it from day 1 - I wouldn't have bought it had I known.
7. Yep, fair point. I did a video a month or so ago called 'equipment update' when I went into a bit more detail, but I try to keep my videos short - sometimes that's at the expense of not giving enough info/detail. But that wasn't the main issue so I didn't want to labour the point unnecessarily
8. In GHL's defence, their hardware has a fantastic reputation, so if you change the heads every year, it'll probably last forever. My confidence was shaken a little though by a head failing so quickly because of a build up of dust.
9. I bought a 2nd doser recently - once you've worked out how to set it up, it was easy, but I do feel GHL make it hard
10. I haven't re-watched the video, but I think I just said I'd buy the Alkatronic if I had my time again. Which is true - I actually tried to take the KHD back after the head broke - it was the final straw. Edit - i've re-watched the video now and I didn't say it's just what I do. But, having watched it again, I don't think I could have done a more balanced and fair review 🙂
There's a lot to like about the KHD (and GHL overall) and I prefer them to Neptune - build quality and reliability is just so important for something like this. And there's nobody better at that for what they do (in my opinion). But I feel their software and user experience is outdated and needs to be better to keep up with new competitors like Mobius and Reef Factory. Nothing's perfect of course, but if GHL had an awesome interface, there wouldn't even be a discussion, they'd be the best by a mile. It's just that for me personally, user experience is just so important.
But you're right to point out this is my opinion - I don't intend my videos to be the last word, just something to consider and I try to be balanced wherever possible. My opinion is that there's real value in TH-camrs pointing out flaws in products as well as good stuff, even if it's what I perceive to be a personal preference that I think others will agree with.
Thanks for taking the time to post such a detailed comment - I hope i've helped pad out the video a little with this reply 🙂
Great vid, hate the wallpaper
Merci pour ta vidéo !!! 👍👍👍
Totally angry with KHD and GHL Support. Within 8 months, they tell me to send it in for repair for the THIRD time. I decommissioned that garbage! Don’t buy it!
Pacific sun kh lab all day long.
First
Medal on its way in the post for you, and well done you have won the bonus price of £100,000. All you have to do to claim your prize is put up a short video on TH-cam telling the world why you feel the need to put the comment "first".