I'm with you! From people I have talked to they are built like a tank.. once wholesalter i was talking to said hes had the same one running for 10+ years issue free!
Thanks for the unboxing video. Please do the how to videos on the setup as you go. I’m thinking about getting a GHL controller. However I’m torn between it and Apex. I have a Ghl doser so I’m leaning heavily towards GHL so I’m sure your follow up videos will help me. Thanks again for the great videos.
I'm so glad you are doing this review Devin. BRS sells it but GHL get's no love in the New World I feel ;) I am thinking of getting the kH Director - maybe because I think it's the highest quality one you can get - but also because it has a spare dosing pump and I only dose 1 part like All For Reef. Though I feel like Hydros is going to be equal with GHL on quality at a much lower price point and I think it will mean a lot more people will get a controller (I do wish though the lower price one came with 1 pH port (even though I have never tested it).
On a side note I contacted Jack Kent after your stream with Jeremy. He was SUPER helpful - what to use on skimmer outlet if I run a small amount of ozone - so I got Purit (he said their carbon would be better but Purit will be fine and I wanted to use Purit). Also I had some questions about their amazing Kalk+2 product (which I think every reefer should know about) and using it with Replenish or KoralKolor, So it was super helpful. I also asked Lou a few questions once and he put me onto Dr Balling. Both companies are amazing so I mainly use their products and a few things from Fauna Marin (where I get most of my corals from) - they are super helpful. So I wanted to say thanks for having such amazing guests - I am stoked Brightwell sponsors you and I hope Jack Kent is on soon ;)
I’ll see if I can lure jack on for a stream! Let me know if you have any topic requests! Got controllers the Ghl is built very well and prob one of the best built for current options. I think hydros will be the best value once its released! Lots of fun new reefing goodies on the horizon!
Devin I am definitely curious about your thoughts and follow-up videos on this. I've been in the Neptune camp for many years now. This seems to be the only worthy competitor (that I am aware of).
Will do! Neptune has been my main controller for years (and is still on my other tank) so will be interesting to see how they both are long term! Ill do a follow up video in a few months once I have properly utilized the P4!!
Honestly you should do your homework on what you would like your controller to do. Way back when, I got an Aquacontroller 3 (the one before Apex came out), and after using it for a while I found really the only thing I used it for was as a temperature controller (including turn off metal halide lamps if it got too warm), a pH monitor (didn't have anything to control), and a light timer/controller. And I want to say that was $600 or so? Looking back at that choice I was shaking my head over why I bought it in the first place. Now these days there is a lot more feedback that controllers can give you, but yeah you need to ask yourself if that's something you want/need.
I was thinking of setting up a 25 gallon frag tank for fraging soft corals. I live in Bangladesh and I can’t find any egg crate or frag racks, what should I use as a frag rack now?
@DrOfWelshMagic I have thought of that but for some reason all the test tube holder are make of wood, is that safe to use in the tank? I don’t think so. But thank u for the reply and for trying to help me. I’m 12 years old and have a 60 gallon mixed reef tank.
@ReefDudes and @DrOfWelshMajic thank u both for ur reply. Helped me a lot. I never thought of neither using test tube holder/racks or drilling holes into a sheet of acrylic to use as a frag holder. Love from Bangladesh 🇧🇩.
They will both get the job done and both have pros and cons. I guess make a list of what all you plan to do with it and see which fits best (although both can do majority of the same things)
I'm sure there is a learning curve like anything new but man that UI is terrible. This is the story of GHL though. Great product with ZERO attention to being user friendly. The app is giant step in the right direction but they need to continue to streamline things and make it cleaner.
The build quality is a lot...lighter duty... than it looks in pictures. I was under the impression that these were heavier, with thick, hard plastic. Sounds cheap and rattley, like Apex plastic. I only went with Apex because everyone else seems to use it, and it seemed more user friendly with a nicer interface.
I'm happy to see this, especially consider BRS sponsors your videos as they don't sell GHL controllers other than the dosing type things, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's because a certain *other* controller company advertises very heavily with them and may prevent that from happening. And I know with first hand experience said *other* company actively tries to make sure GHL controllers have their spotlight reduced as much as possible in any way possible often with financial incentives (either giving or taking away what they offer), and don't ask me how I know this because I'm not happy that I know this and can't say any details about it.
Thanks Mike, My followers always come first! One of the main reasons I chose to work with BRS is they were about supporting the channel and leaving me the freedom to do what I have been doing, which I massively respect about them. (Great company!) I personally see a lot of value of using different brands for both adding to my knowledge base and teaching/sharing/giving multiple perspectives to my followers. I'm all for companies having a little friendly competition.. it good for innovation!
@@ReefDudes I agree my man, and I competition is great for the end consumer in most any case. However when competition is stiffled ... well lets just say watching your video has made my decision a bit harder about which direction to go, and you didn't really go super far in depth with it either. I hate to say this as if this is a deciding option, but I do like the color scheme way better than brown and orange, like by a billion percent :D
@@Mike__B haha I do like the look of it too! I was just itching to open and play with it and I had a bunch of request for a bit of an unboxing video since i posted the teaser pic on Instagram. Once the new office tank shows up and i fully set it up ill go into more detail on it!
Just got the same controller! I am waiting for my new 8ft tank to be built, I can’t wait till I can connect everything! Enjoy!
Sweet! have you set yours up yet? Cant wait to fully get it going
There's not enough ghl stuff out there, glad you're giving it a shot, hope this ion director is as amazing as it sounds
I'm with you! From people I have talked to they are built like a tank.. once wholesalter i was talking to said hes had the same one running for 10+ years issue free!
@@ReefDudes that's amazing
Thanks for the unboxing video. Please do the how to videos on the setup as you go. I’m thinking about getting a GHL controller. However I’m torn between it and Apex. I have a Ghl doser so I’m leaning heavily towards GHL so I’m sure your follow up videos will help me. Thanks again for the great videos.
Nice first look at the interface. Lets mount that beast!
Once my new tank shows up! cant wait!
Awesome video Dev!
Thank you!
I'm so glad you are doing this review Devin. BRS sells it but GHL get's no love in the New World I feel ;) I am thinking of getting the kH Director - maybe because I think it's the highest quality one you can get - but also because it has a spare dosing pump and I only dose 1 part like All For Reef. Though I feel like Hydros is going to be equal with GHL on quality at a much lower price point and I think it will mean a lot more people will get a controller (I do wish though the lower price one came with 1 pH port (even though I have never tested it).
On a side note I contacted Jack Kent after your stream with Jeremy. He was SUPER helpful - what to use on skimmer outlet if I run a small amount of ozone - so I got Purit (he said their carbon would be better but Purit will be fine and I wanted to use Purit). Also I had some questions about their amazing Kalk+2 product (which I think every reefer should know about) and using it with Replenish or KoralKolor, So it was super helpful. I also asked Lou a few questions once and he put me onto Dr Balling. Both companies are amazing so I mainly use their products and a few things from Fauna Marin (where I get most of my corals from) - they are super helpful. So I wanted to say thanks for having such amazing guests - I am stoked Brightwell sponsors you and I hope Jack Kent is on soon ;)
I’ll see if I can lure jack on for a stream! Let me know if you have any topic requests! Got controllers the Ghl is built very well and prob one of the best built for current options. I think hydros will be the best value once its released! Lots of fun new reefing goodies on the horizon!
Devin I am definitely curious about your thoughts and follow-up videos on this. I've been in the Neptune camp for many years now. This seems to be the only worthy competitor (that I am aware of).
Will do! Neptune has been my main controller for years (and is still on my other tank) so will be interesting to see how they both are long term! Ill do a follow up video in a few months once I have properly utilized the P4!!
@@ReefDudes Same...waiting for your review and comparison to Apex. Soooo Excited
I like the diversification that the GHL presents. Once you get your tank up and running I’m curious to see how the GHL compares versus the Apex system
Me too! Can’t wait for the tank and to get it fully automated :)
Would love to see a head to head comparison review of ghl and Apex.
I can do some comparisons down the road once I have fully setup and utilized it. Need a few months playing it with to fully setup and learn it all
Hey Devin how are you liking this ghl p4 controller so far?
How do you like it
Awesome! Your videos are top notch
I always wanted an aquarium controller but then i look at the price and stick to doing everything manual lol
haha yes not a cheap investment.. at the very least you should get your self a heater controller!
Honestly you should do your homework on what you would like your controller to do. Way back when, I got an Aquacontroller 3 (the one before Apex came out), and after using it for a while I found really the only thing I used it for was as a temperature controller (including turn off metal halide lamps if it got too warm), a pH monitor (didn't have anything to control), and a light timer/controller. And I want to say that was $600 or so? Looking back at that choice I was shaking my head over why I bought it in the first place. Now these days there is a lot more feedback that controllers can give you, but yeah you need to ask yourself if that's something you want/need.
Looks a great piece of kit Dev. And far more straight forward than the Apex too. 👌👌
so far so good! still lots of playing to do once i can fully get this baby setup
Any updates comparing it to the apex?
I’ll do an update on it. Soon. Any specific questions on it ?
Good luck
What's the song in the background?
Jakarta - Bonsaye
I was thinking of setting up a 25 gallon frag tank for fraging soft corals. I live in Bangladesh and I can’t find any egg crate or frag racks, what should I use as a frag rack now?
Have you considered and can you get hold of test tube holders/racks ?
Can always get some acrylic and drill holes in it to make your own
@DrOfWelshMagic I have thought of that but for some reason all the test tube holder are make of wood, is that safe to use in the tank? I don’t think so. But thank u for the reply and for trying to help me. I’m 12 years old and have a 60 gallon mixed reef tank.
@ReefDudes thank u for the reply that is a good idea I didn’t think of that.
@ReefDudes and @DrOfWelshMajic thank u both for ur reply. Helped me a lot. I never thought of neither using test tube holder/racks or drilling holes into a sheet of acrylic to use as a frag holder. Love from Bangladesh 🇧🇩.
So if you had to pick ghl or apex which would it be?
They will both get the job done and both have pros and cons. I guess make a list of what all you plan to do with it and see which fits best (although both can do majority of the same things)
suppose to get this brand but i leaned towards apex. Please let us know how good it is..
Will do! Will be a bit until I get it fully setup and get a good few for it All :)
I'm sure there is a learning curve like anything new but man that UI is terrible. This is the story of GHL though. Great product with ZERO attention to being user friendly. The app is giant step in the right direction but they need to continue to streamline things and make it cleaner.
The build quality is a lot...lighter duty... than it looks in pictures. I was under the impression that these were heavier, with thick, hard plastic. Sounds cheap and rattley, like Apex plastic.
I only went with Apex because everyone else seems to use it, and it seemed more user friendly with a nicer interface.
I would say its has a very good build quality. Feels solid.. no creekyness to it. I have both systems so will be good for long term comparisons :)
I'm happy to see this, especially consider BRS sponsors your videos as they don't sell GHL controllers other than the dosing type things, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's because a certain *other* controller company advertises very heavily with them and may prevent that from happening. And I know with first hand experience said *other* company actively tries to make sure GHL controllers have their spotlight reduced as much as possible in any way possible often with financial incentives (either giving or taking away what they offer), and don't ask me how I know this because I'm not happy that I know this and can't say any details about it.
Thanks Mike, My followers always come first! One of the main reasons I chose to work with BRS is they were about supporting the channel and leaving me the freedom to do what I have been doing, which I massively respect about them. (Great company!) I personally see a lot of value of using different brands for both adding to my knowledge base and teaching/sharing/giving multiple perspectives to my followers. I'm all for companies having a little friendly competition.. it good for innovation!
@@ReefDudes I agree my man, and I competition is great for the end consumer in most any case. However when competition is stiffled ... well lets just say watching your video has made my decision a bit harder about which direction to go, and you didn't really go super far in depth with it either. I hate to say this as if this is a deciding option, but I do like the color scheme way better than brown and orange, like by a billion percent :D
@@Mike__B haha I do like the look of it too! I was just itching to open and play with it and I had a bunch of request for a bit of an unboxing video since i posted the teaser pic on Instagram. Once the new office tank shows up and i fully set it up ill go into more detail on it!
Four hundred and fifty eighty first