Market shifts: What controllers are poised to make the biggest gains this next year?

[Peace River]

Market shifts: What controllers are poised to make the biggest gains this next year?

Traditionally Neptune has dominated the North American controller market, but GHL has made inroads from Europe and Hydros has developed a strong entry into the controller market with their distributed approach to controlling. Additionally, Reef Factory is just stepping into the North American market with yet another approach to aquarium control. There is also ReefPi, the DIY option, that has just added some strong features and has the potential to make an impact. Where do you think we will see the biggest gains in the controller market this next year? Beyond what you use for your own system, do you expect any of these companies or approaches to grow market share? Let us know what you think about the future of controllers in the discussion that follows…

Photo by @Broadfield

 

[Court_Appointed_Hypeman]

Hydros baby, because that's what I pocked and I am banking on it expanding.

I am glad I went with it, even after I had some regrets after learning more about the others.

The apex looked like a toy to me, and I had no idea you had access to that much info and coding with it. I love writing scripts and would have gone apex in a heartbeat had I known.

However, i absolutely love my redundancy, and love the aesthetic.

With the new products on the horizon, I am incredibly optimistic about their market share. The pricing is also pretty great, it fit my budget better to get the features I have over equivalent products.

 

[Dburr1014]

I voted hydros, I wished I went with them. I've had apex a couple years and hydros was just getting into controlling.
They seem easier and beefier.

 

[vetteguy53081]

While I use Apex, Hydros has made impact during 2022 and already has new product for 2023 and according to Carlos, they are not done yet

 

[DaveC]

I researched both GHL & Apex previously and went with the GHL. Now that Hydros is in the game, I would happily make the switch if something happens to my GHL unit.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Tough question... I would like to see a particular one stop hiding behind old logic and listen to its customer base.

 

[notMrDurden]

Dang... Now I'm interested in this reefpi deal. Looks very interesting

 

[Lord_Mort]

To me, they have been cost prohibitive. But if a mfg made them more affordable, that is who I would vote for. Just my .02

 

[CincyReefer07]

Hydros for sure…. I’m so happy with my choice to go with hydros for my 370 gallon system. Plan on adding Hydros control to my QT setup and my 75 gallon mixed reef as well. Several new products being released this year and have spoken with Connor at hydros multiple times and they aren’t done yet with new releases for them by any means

 

[Lord_Mort]

Hydros for sure…. I’m so happy with my choice to go with hydros for my 370 gallon system. Plan on adding Hydros control to my QT setup and my 75 gallon mixed reef as well. Several new products being released this year and have spoken with Connor at hydros multiple times and they aren’t done yet with new releases for them by any means

Dude... that is sexy AF! What are those horizontal black "Cord hiders" called?

 

[CincyReefer07]

Dude... that is sexy AF! What are those horizontal black "Cord hiders" called?

Thank you man! I hate a cluttered cable look. As an electrician my ocd comes into play and want to dress it up as neatly as possible. Cable tray, cable raceways, panduit is a brand name that makes them, or you can get them off Amazon. Just have to pay attention to the size of them that you order the correct size. I bought mine from wirecare.com. Although I don’t know if they carry the size I have in black anymore. I checked a few months ago and no longer saw it on their site

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Hydros will be the investment when the next Apex classic dies.

 

[dstockwell]

So I'm completely clueless with using these things. If your pumps are on separate controllers how do you integrate those into a single system.

 

[reefstarterpack]

I have a APEX A3 and have just now heard of the Hydros. Looks like a solid product but I’m really liking my APEX

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

So I'm completely clueless with using these things. If your pumps are on separate controllers how do you integrate those into a single system.

Depends on how much integration your looking for. Return pumps are really a on/off thing, I plug mine up through the apex, but mainly for ease of water changes (I do 10% instead of awc). It's more about the other devices: skimmers, reactors, ozone, etc...

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Dude... that is sexy AF! What are those horizontal black "Cord hiders" called?

I get mine on Amazon, but as said above cable raceway...

 

[mattdg]

My vote is the best innovations in controllers will not be in the hardware, but in the apps and software associated with most pumps and lights. Controllers themselves are becoming less and less necessary.

That said I will be replacing my old, but still working, RK2 with a Hydros this year. I don’t love reef controllers, but I appreciate how the Hydros understands we are all different. Some of us require supplemental powering and monitoring, while others prefer entire system control. Hydros covers both.

 

[RSNJReef]

While I don’t have one, my bets on hydros making the biggest gains over the next few years. While the other companies are great and I’d take/use any of those controllers, in seeing some of the interviews with the leaders at hydros, their main focus seems to be R&D as opposed to riding the financial wave.

 

[flashsmith]

If I ever get to the point of wanting a controller I'll just hire a maintenance company to maintain my tanks for me. I thought this was a hobby? I enjoy doing the work. That's part of it...

 

[HiddenGentleman]

I have been pleased with Hydros so far. I wish they would add an independent salinity probe.