GHL ION Director - "Build thread"

[PurePleX]

Hello!

First of all a disclosure: I'm deeply into the GHL/Profilux ecosystem. Some out of tradition, some out of experience, some out of reasons, some out of no reason at all. Just want to state that clearly to make clear that this is no post in the pro/con this-or-that controller.

That given, this is a "build thread" of my recently aquired ION Director (gen 2 probe). I've read a lot of bad reviews, unreliable values, terrible setup experience and plain don't-go-there-opinions.

So, I don't know why I went there anyway, but I guess I want to stick to the GHL/Profilux ecosystem and I can't resist trying the ION Director given the potential of automatic and regular testing.

First some baseline on my GHL/Profilux ecosystem!

Pro
* Have yet to experience an error or crash in the system itself. It doses always as programmed. The ATO works like a solid rock. The AWC continues flawlessly as programmed. The lightning (Mitras LX7) does it thing. The pumps, skimmer, RODI-tank-fill, heater, levelsensors, what-ever, do their on/off thing without error or tweaks.
* The customizability (is that a word?) is endless with programmable logic. When taking samples for my ReefFactory SmartTester or KH Keeper (yes, I have in parallell some Reef Factory for some independent testing) the ATO fills with saltwater instead of RODI - endless ways to customize and tweak the response. Again, without every finding a flaw or crash (except occationally my own defuncted cerebral logic...)

Con
* Connectivity is unreliable. Yes I know there are several ways to connect (and I use them all), but nevertheless what-ever-method I choose it runs into occational problems. Sometimes it won't find myGHL, sometimes it takes several retries to connect to the PC via USB.
* Setup/connection. Oboy! Expect some cursing, frustration and need for network/WiFi knowledge. and then some more cursing or a beer or two. But then you will get it to work; in my case often without knowing why.
* pH/salinity sensors. Just find them unreliable and needed frequent calibration to the point of just not finding any reason to use them. Yes, probably/definitely LARS (LAzy Reefer Syndrome), but unfortunately for me a reality and I just found it defied the purpose of the probe in the first place. I just stick with my Milwaukee refractometer for salinity, Hanna tests, or Reef Factory sensors (yes, they also need calibration, so I really can't explain this point even to myself...)

So, with that info done with, let's begin the "build thread". Here is the wonder. Let's begin! But, realize that my reason to get automatic testing is that my calendar is very aggressive, and so I can't make any promise how or at what rate this build thread will progress!

 

[PurePleX]

ION Director Initial Setup (Part 1) went like a breeze (https://www.aquariumcomputer.com/knowledge-base/ion-director-initial-setup-part-1/). No hickups. No problems. As a note I'm not completely certain of what the different options (IOND EXT vs Standalone IOND) means. I can/could figure it out - just saying that it's not completely, quick, immediately and intuitively 100% clear for a (like me) "innocent" user.

 

[BeanAnimal]

EXT - needs profilux to run.
Standalone can run by itself with no profilux.

 

[PurePleX]

EXT - needs profilux to run.
Standalone can run by itself with no profilux.

Exactly!

So (to the UX department), why does "EXT" intuitively mean "needs profilux to run"? Actually (according to manual) it is "For ProfiLux or Doser SA owners". And, under the other option ("Standalone IOND set owners") one should connect it to the GHL Doser 2.1 Stand Alone?!?

So, in summary:
1. The "Standalone IOND set owners" use a Doser Stand Alone (according to online Part 1 manual)
2. The "IOND EXT set" is for "ProdiLux or Doser SA owners" (according to online Part 1 manual).

Only me who is confused regarding the "Doser Stand Alone/SA" part...?

But, again, I figuered it out and thanks BeanAnimal!

Just constructive suggestions to the UX department to make the product manual even better (and maybe even optimal for a non-english native like myself).

 

[BeanAnimal]

Matthias and team can be extremely stubborn about things like that. Although in the several months, to their credit, have worked a lot on listening and adapting to customer perception vs engineer's intent.

Good luck with the ION - I am sure plenty of folks are eager to see your results!

 

[PurePleX]

ION Director Initial Setup (Part 2) equally breezy. Judging from the time of my post 2 hours and 2 minutes (minus time spent writing reply to BeanAnimal). Now attacking part 3 (probe has been soaking since I started part 1).

 

[PurePleX]

And now Part 3 is done and sensor is prepared and waiting for the 12 hour stabilization period. Exciting!

In part 3 there where some issues/points:

1. The guide does not mention that I had to activate the sensor. Given that the guide is ridiculously step-by-step (good!!!), it's strange that it doesn't mention the neccessity of sensor activation (with S/N) - otherwise myGHL does not allow you to activate the ION Director.

2. The pins of the sensor was scary and I initially bent one. I was extremely careful, and didn't push or force and noticed it (above normal resistance). I corrected the pin with a needle and it wen't in OK. I guess?! How do I now? At least myGHL hasn't complained and the probe is now marinating in the 12 hour preparation period.

To be continued...

 

[PurePleX]

OK! 12.5 hours has passed and started the measurement now...!

As a control I just sent an ICP (will of course be a while before resluts) and done some Hanna tests:

Nitrate (HR HI 782): 6.2 ppm
Mg (HI 783): 1270 ppm
Ca (HI 758): 478 ppm

Unfortunately I have no way to measure K and Na besides the ICP. Last measurements (August 28) was:

Na: 10493 mg/l
K: 421 mg/l

Now we are waiting the results of the ION Director...!

 

[PurePleX]

I guess this is at least not bad.

 

[PurePleX]

3 minutes left. But I've noticed a small leak at the sensor attachment. I tightened it as hard as I could with hand power - I'm allergic to use wrench on plastic even though the manual states that's an option. BUT the manual also says DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. Well, I guess now it's undertightened - will wrench it a tiny bit and observe.

 

[PurePleX]

OK, the jury is back with the verdict (Hanna/ICP values in parenthesis & percentage difference [with Hanna as reference; ICP for K & Na]):

Ca: 425 mg/l (478; -11.1%)
Mg: 1079 mg/l (1270; -15.0%)
NO3: 12 mg/l (6.2; +93.5%)
K: 361 mg/l (421; -14.3%)
Na: 8502 mg/l (10493; -19.0%)

First of all: I'm happy the setup worked and no obvious trouble. The values are what they are - I think the sensor needs some marinating and run-in-period. I'll tighten the sensor nut and run frequent tests the next couple of days.

 

[PurePleX]

Still a drop at the sensor; tightening it in 1/8 turn increments - really hurts using a wrench on plastic... Running tests every second hour (12 per day; starting 15.00 - yep, you better get used to metrics and ISO...)

 

[PurePleX]

Still a small leak; tiny drop and wet tissue paper. An other 1/8 turn with the wrench.

 

[PurePleX]

It's definitely eating reference fluid - this is after 2 tests. Might/should also include any run-in-fill-setup phase.

 

[PurePleX]

Getting better...

 

[BeanAnimal]

3 minutes left. But I've noticed a small leak at the sensor attachment. I tightened it as hard as I could with hand power - I'm allergic to use wrench on plastic even though the manual states that's an option. BUT the manual also says DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. Well, I guess now it's undertightened - will wrench it a tiny bit and observe.

Silicone grease.. just a very light amount on the surfaces of the rubber grommet (if it is like the KH director).

 

[BeanAnimal]

Still a small leak; tiny drop and wet tissue paper. An other 1/8 turn with the wrench.

Looking at the photo, I am a bit disappointed in the reliance of what appears to be a cost cutting measure in the bulkhead fitting design. My KH director has a "cord grip" style bulkhead where increased torque uses wedge action to create the seal. Likewise, my heater is installed in the wall of my sump with a similar compression (cord grip style) fitting.

 

[PurePleX]

Silicone grease.. just a very light amount on the surfaces of the rubber grommet (if it is like the KH director).

Tx! Will give that a try. Still a bit of a leak with a wet tissue paper under the fitting... Don't dare to give it an other 1/8 with the wrench. I'll let it run until tomorrow and then do the silicone thing. As for the values, they seem to stabilize. Still generally low except nitrate - I'll do an other Hanna tomorrow to reconfirm the golden standard. But, honestly, it's not the actual numbers with decimals that matter - it's the trend.

The reference fluids are disappearing fast...

 

[BeanAnimal]

Reference fluids faster than expected?

 

[PurePleX]

Reference fluids faster than expected?

Good question! With reference to the manual (section 11 Technical Data), High-precision mode should use 13 ml of each reference solution per measurement.

I've now done 7 measurements, so the reference consumption should be 7 x 13 ml = 91 ml. However, the consumption is 330 ml (Reference A) and 313 ml (Reference B). Or approximately 45 ml of each reference fluid per measurement.

The initial setup/soaking/filling took some - I didn't notice how much; now I'll check again in two measurements and thus get a better average consumption excluding any initial consumption during setup.

And it's not the leak - it's now down to next to nothing. Don't dare tightening the nut more with a wrench - will instead empty the chamber and silicone the o-ring seal as you suggested. And, I see now, the pdf/printed version of the manual suggests the silicone thingie - I've been following the on-line step-by-step setup instruction. So, an other suggestion/feedback to the GHL/Profilux team: Double documentation (in this case manual + step-by-step-online) is the cause of all evil on this planet. Make all and any effort not to. Scrap one of them. Double documentation will never sync. Looking now at the step-by-step instruction, I do find the silicone/vaseline suggestion - deeply into troubleshooting section, but not in the instruction on the "front"-line. In my medical profession I strictly prohibit double documentation. Again, it's the cause of all evil on this planet.

So, yes but preliminary, the consumption is considerably and significantly larger than expected.