I recently purchased the thermo-controller, Reef factory have updated the plug sockets to UK specs and orientated the plugs perpendicular to the top edge.
Yes please send Alex at least 2 of everything so he can do giveaways and prizes !!! Great review iv never heard of this company I will defo be looking into to it
Smashing video as always, Alex. What this video did for me that other reviews don't quite capture is the value add on top of the nearest competitor. Yes its more costly than the D-D model but you've clearly illustrated what you get for the extra cash. Would love to see you do future Reef Factory videos, particularly on the salinity monitor, pH monitor and Power Switcher. Re: the thermo control; any chance the temp probe is replaceable?
Thanks David. If it is replacable, it'll involve unscrewing the main box as there's no plug in thing if you see what I mean! And I haven't seen spare parts on their website. So I'd guess no...
Great video. Thanks are you still using one? Looking to upgrade my ink bird very unreliable. But need one that has two heaters. Any advice would be appreciated 🙏
I use the Thermoi control and the level keeper in my new tank. In the beginn I have some connecting Problems with my netgear router. But with the friendly an quick help of the Hotline ist works now. Durin istallallation make shure tha the 5 ghz lan ist off. If you cant switch it of you can use your phone aus a access Point. Anyway, good vid, thanks from Germany....
Please get more products mate 👍🏼 really like the look of everything they’re producing, if everything is as good as it looks is rather go down this route than a profilux! An idea of how good the dosers are would be a great indicator 😏 Cheers for the video!
Great video and explanation of the product, never heard of the company and but am interested in what over products they are bringing out to compliment this one. Shame it’s not £99 so it would be more tempting.
The reason the 2 plugs outlets collide is that there are adaptors fitted (from euro to uk) They basically turn the outlet upside down, so in this case the 2 uk outlets collide, the euros dont. Somewhere in the past (i dont know where now), i have found adaptors that come out the right was around.
I've noticed both ecotech and reef factory have been aggressively advertising though offering free products to youtubers. I really appreciated that you looked for sensible budget friendly option for bits (like your lights) in the past since that's what most of your audience would do. I don't mind sponsored content but the price of this temperature controller is really out of touch with reality, a second hand seneye + new dd temp controller cost the same price as this and offer a lot more value
Loads of companies do it - some also pay for reviews as well as giving free stuff away (which sucks). You're spot on about budget stuff being popular - I'll always try to bring budget stuff along too, so long as it's still good - the Evergrows are a great example of that - full video on them to follow next week!
That's why you need to take reviews with a grain of salt, and a huge 200g bucket worth of salt when you start seeing lots of reef vloggers reviewing the same stuff. Like last month or so when most everyone was reviewing the Maxspect "Jump" line of products. And I agree, the price for this is way out of touch when you compare it to what is the gold standard which is the Ranco controller, which granted doesn't have wifi but that shouldn't increase the price point to this level.
@@Mike__B Agreed. Reviews on youtube are shit. Everything is paid. All "reef youtubers" advertise those that pay. Very few youtubers have the decency to have a small text saying "this video is sponsored"
Nice review and a nice looking piece of kit, the price might be high compared to some, lot cheaper than the plc that runs mine, but you’ll always get someone willing to pay more. Would love to see a review of the salinity guardian when it’s out if you can please Alex.👍
Hi Alex! I always love your videos, is this this weeks video or have u stopped making videos?? The reason I say this is because in the last couple of weeks I have found it really hard to find your videos!!! Much respect my friend!! 😀👍👍
I would definitely be interested in seeing you test other Reef factory stuff, I saw it mentioned on UR and had a look at the website, it would be great to have a range of aquarium stuff that was a bit more modern and user friendly and it looks like this might be it?
I don't know if I quite agree with your definition of "solid" that you use, shiny black plastic isn't my idea of solid, especially at that outrageous price point, I would hope for something like the Ecotech Vectra controller where there's a milled aluminum heatsink to cool off the controller. And I'm sure it's me being from a different generation than you, but not having buttons to do thinks shouldn't be a positive aspect, just because you can't be bothered with holding down a button to turn off the alarm on your controller sounds like a personal problem with you not one with the controller :)
I’ve never heard of this manufacturer before so would definitely like to see more reviews of their products. The mobile app and web browser dashboard looks really interesting but having plugs face inwards towards one another on the controller annoys me as it seems pretty obvious that’s not a good design decision lol
@@ReefDork just thinking it might be better to run two thermo controls rather than two heaters off one incase its the control that fails and not the heater. So £300 is a bit steep for two, might end up just going with the old trusty inkbird for £50 each if am getting two.
I had a look at them ages back and had forgotten about them (I think when they launched). I need a pH... let me rephrase that... I'd like a pH meter but I don't want to spend that much on it. I would like to see the dosing pump - I want to know why it's "the only device of this kind on the market". I don't have a fan... I occasionally throw a bottle in the sump if the tank is heating up. I also dropped my temp before the heatwave to give me more margin for error - I will raise the temp in winter just in case. This is a product I really like the look of. The app looks great. I don't trust the app on my doser - that's not good ;)
@@ReefDork Yeah it does look like the Versa - it'd be good to have an alternative that's built the same but is wifi controlled so you don't have to be home to adjust it. If I get the Seneye Coral I will need a doser I can control remotely. I don't think there are many options - maybe the Kamoer (the Versa you can't control remotely). I dose TM All4Reef - 1 part... so I'm thinking either the KH Director (which has a spare doser) or the Seneye plus doser. I think the cost is the same... the Seneye you get to test more where as the GHL may be more robust and automatic = it's a tough one ;)
Hi Alex, I also have the controller you used and have a double socket plugged into both as I have 2x heaters and 2x fans. Is this an option on the new one?
Really overkill for a thermal controller. I have set my controller and never touched it and my temperature have kept steady since. It cost 25 U.S. dollars and the control panel is exactly like yours so I am suspicious that it is the same manufacturer just adding features to the existing controller.
for that price the fact that the don't put native UK plugs in the unit and just use adaptors is really poor. I'll be steering well clear and sticking with my Elitech controller.
So here's the thing.. does reef factory gadgets allow themselves to be controlled by the results of others? Sounds as though it's separate gadgets linked by an app, rather than an actual controller. That's fine but a controller is 24/7, an app isn't.
Good point - I think probably yes as they'll have a KH monitor coming soon and they have dosing pumps so it would be a waste if not. But i'll see if I can find out...
It has malfunctioned after 14 days from the delivery, right now when the heat waves hit. Displaying Error message is a reason for the unit to be shipped back to a "service center". I have tried reseting it and plugging it in different sockets around the house. All other equipment runs without a problem. I have now contacted my retailer and will return it. I will definitely update you on how it went. Considering I could have lost all my corals and fish I cannot recommend this product.
So Reef Factory organized a pick up by UPS 2 days after I contacted the retailer (Thursday) and received it after the weekend (Monday). After one week (Friday) I received a notification from UPS that they'll be delivering the TCu today (Monday). My wife got home before me and did the unboxing, she has told me the TC box was really well packaged and protected. Unfortunately by the placement od the TC in the box and some dust on the cables I have realized that it's the original one that broke down. As I plugged it in and it has immediately paired with the app again and started functioning properly. I have received no information regarding the service. I have contacted the retailer and neither has he. It's been running for an hour so far with no problems. I really hope it stays this way. Long story short - it broke down, they picked it up and paid for the transport, they repaired it and shipped it back...so I'm happy. My guess is a malfunction of the thermometer or its wiring.
I think reef factory are taking the P**** a bit with the price of this thing. You can get wifi app-controlled, dual probe inkbird heating controller for £46. Reef Factory are probably laughing up their cuff when they can get away with selling a heating controller at this price. Same with the PH Keeper. The only thing i would consider is the KH keeper as that seems to around the standard price for such a device.
OK a thermo controller. Pretty much the ONLY important thing is the quality of the electronic components and reliability. A review of this kind of controller needs someone with knowledge of electronics to open the thing up and do a tear down. Ill stick my neck out and say its the same cheap chyna parts as any other controller. The packing, finish and how many lights it has is kind of irrelevant for such a mission critical piece of kit. Its all about the electronics.
@@ReefDork As a DIY enthusiast that is the unfortunate case for many reefers i think. Its why these kind of simple products wrapped in shiny plastic exist.
I recently purchased the thermo-controller, Reef factory have updated the plug sockets to UK specs and orientated the plugs perpendicular to the top edge.
Don’t think there’s a reef channel out there that is so thorough and detailed when it comes to products.. great content once again
Thanks man, appreciate it
Yes please send Alex at least 2 of everything so he can do giveaways and prizes !!! Great review iv never heard of this company I will defo be looking into to it
That's a QUALITY idea!
I'm using both the Thermo control and the level keeper on my tank. Super easy to set up and both working really well.
Kh keeper or the plus?
Hi Alex yes get them to send you more products to review always great to see new gear great video thanks for sharing
Smashing video as always, Alex. What this video did for me that other reviews don't quite capture is the value add on top of the nearest competitor. Yes its more costly than the D-D model but you've clearly illustrated what you get for the extra cash. Would love to see you do future Reef Factory videos, particularly on the salinity monitor, pH monitor and Power Switcher. Re: the thermo control; any chance the temp probe is replaceable?
Thanks David. If it is replacable, it'll involve unscrewing the main box as there's no plug in thing if you see what I mean! And I haven't seen spare parts on their website. So I'd guess no...
Great video. Thanks are you still using one? Looking to upgrade my ink bird very unreliable. But need one that has two heaters. Any advice would be appreciated 🙏
I am and I just bought a 2nd one. You can use 2 heaters with a splitter plug - I think it can handle up to 1000w, but double check that
I use the Thermoi control and the level keeper in my new tank. In the beginn I have some connecting Problems with my netgear router. But with the friendly an quick help of the Hotline ist works now.
Durin istallallation make shure tha the 5 ghz lan ist off. If you cant switch it of you can use your phone aus a access Point.
Anyway, good vid, thanks from Germany....
Seems like a great product good job on the tutorial
Great video. Can you use any heater or fan, for example D&D? Also does it come with those adapters for UK plugs?
Yes and I think they've updated the adapters now so they don't point towards each other
@@ReefDork Thank you. Do they come with it then?
@@sussex_reef559 yep
It was a hell to coneckt the device with the fone i spend 2 ouhrs ..now it works with the app great
Looks quite good well thought out kit.
Please get more products mate 👍🏼 really like the look of everything they’re producing, if everything is as good as it looks is rather go down this route than a profilux! An idea of how good the dosers are would be a great indicator 😏
Cheers for the video!
Will do! I'm thinking the same re Profilux - i'd rather find an alternative so we'll see...
Great video and explanation of the product, never heard of the company and but am interested in what over products they are bringing out to compliment this one. Shame it’s not £99 so it would be more tempting.
The reason the 2 plugs outlets collide is that there are adaptors fitted (from euro to uk) They basically turn the outlet upside down, so in this case the 2 uk outlets collide, the euros dont. Somewhere in the past (i dont know where now), i have found adaptors that come out the right was around.
That's good to know - apparently Reef Factory are working on it so maybe future models will come with those adapters...
I've noticed both ecotech and reef factory have been aggressively advertising though offering free products to youtubers.
I really appreciated that you looked for sensible budget friendly option for bits (like your lights) in the past since that's what most of your audience would do.
I don't mind sponsored content but the price of this temperature controller is really out of touch with reality, a second hand seneye + new dd temp controller cost the same price as this and offer a lot more value
Loads of companies do it - some also pay for reviews as well as giving free stuff away (which sucks).
You're spot on about budget stuff being popular - I'll always try to bring budget stuff along too, so long as it's still good - the Evergrows are a great example of that - full video on them to follow next week!
That's why you need to take reviews with a grain of salt, and a huge 200g bucket worth of salt when you start seeing lots of reef vloggers reviewing the same stuff. Like last month or so when most everyone was reviewing the Maxspect "Jump" line of products.
And I agree, the price for this is way out of touch when you compare it to what is the gold standard which is the Ranco controller, which granted doesn't have wifi but that shouldn't increase the price point to this level.
@@Mike__B Agreed. Reviews on youtube are shit. Everything is paid. All "reef youtubers" advertise those that pay. Very few youtubers have the decency to have a small text saying "this video is sponsored"
Just to clarify, I was sent the controller for free but I wasn't paid anything 🙂
Nice review and a nice looking piece of kit, the price might be high compared to some, lot cheaper than the plc that runs mine, but you’ll always get someone willing to pay more.
Would love to see a review of the salinity guardian when it’s out if you can please Alex.👍
Hi Alex! I always love your videos, is this this weeks video or have u stopped making videos?? The reason I say this is because in the last couple of weeks I have found it really hard to find your videos!!! Much respect my friend!! 😀👍👍
That's weird! Nothing's changed - still every Friday at 4. Try turning notifications on if you haven't already 🙂
Money spent on hobbies is not wasted 😉
I would definitely be interested in seeing you test other Reef factory stuff, I saw it mentioned on UR and had a look at the website, it would be great to have a range of aquarium stuff that was a bit more modern and user friendly and it looks like this might be it?
Definitely agree with that - it's only a small hobby so it's great to see new companies with new ideas coming along
Hi Alex, great video as always I see you have gone for a second it5012 how you finding running 2 over the hybrid?
I'm in the process of making a video about it for next Friday so full details to follow. But in short, I love it!
I was about to ask the same question :) are you preferring the 2 evergrows over the hybrid set up?
Please do a top ten video next week 🙏
Already done next week's video, but I have a couple of top 10s in mind, so maybe the week after!
I don't know if I quite agree with your definition of "solid" that you use, shiny black plastic isn't my idea of solid, especially at that outrageous price point, I would hope for something like the Ecotech Vectra controller where there's a milled aluminum heatsink to cool off the controller. And I'm sure it's me being from a different generation than you, but not having buttons to do thinks shouldn't be a positive aspect, just because you can't be bothered with holding down a button to turn off the alarm on your controller sounds like a personal problem with you not one with the controller :)
Yes, correct, it’s definitely you. Buttons are redundant, the future is now, old man.
I’ve never heard of this manufacturer before so would definitely like to see more reviews of their products. The mobile app and web browser dashboard looks really interesting but having plugs face inwards towards one another on the controller annoys me as it seems pretty obvious that’s not a good design decision lol
Yep! Since this video, they've told me they're working on fixing that...
If wanting to run a backup heater could you just plug a double socket adapter into it or would you need to buy a second thermo control?
Double socket would be fine - I've been meaning to do so on mine for months!
@@ReefDork just thinking it might be better to run two thermo controls rather than two heaters off one incase its the control that fails and not the heater. So £300 is a bit steep for two, might end up just going with the old trusty inkbird for £50 each if am getting two.
Hi Alex in which part of sump have you installed temperature probe ?
Middle section - crucially not in the same section as the heaters or ATO freshwater tube
Change of lights or added a 2nd? We’re the t5 not as good as the led?
T5s are gone! ruclips.net/video/EMLkvRCqg6M/видео.html
Do you still have it? Has it been reliable for you?
Yep, not had any problems. Really good bit of kit
@@ReefDork Thanks! ✌️
love your vid! and the accent lol
I had a look at them ages back and had forgotten about them (I think when they launched). I need a pH... let me rephrase that... I'd like a pH meter but I don't want to spend that much on it.
I would like to see the dosing pump - I want to know why it's "the only device of this kind on the market".
I don't have a fan... I occasionally throw a bottle in the sump if the tank is heating up. I also dropped my temp before the heatwave to give me more margin for error - I will raise the temp in winter just in case.
This is a product I really like the look of. The app looks great. I don't trust the app on my doser - that's not good ;)
I'm hoping to get hold of the doser - looks good. If I do, I'll tell you what's so unique about it! (looks a lot like the Versa to me...)
@@ReefDork Yeah it does look like the Versa - it'd be good to have an alternative that's built the same but is wifi controlled so you don't have to be home to adjust it. If I get the Seneye Coral I will need a doser I can control remotely. I don't think there are many options - maybe the Kamoer (the Versa you can't control remotely). I dose TM All4Reef - 1 part... so I'm thinking either the KH Director (which has a spare doser) or the Seneye plus doser. I think the cost is the same... the Seneye you get to test more where as the GHL may be more robust and automatic = it's a tough one ;)
Hi Alex, I also have the controller you used and have a double socket plugged into both as I have 2x heaters and 2x fans. Is this an option on the new one?
I used to do that on my old one until recently. Don't see why you couldn't with the Reef Factory one
What if you have two heaters to control for redundancy. Does this have a module to attach?
You can plug a 2 gang extension socket into it - no module though
@@ReefDork Seems messy for a premium product
Reef Factory be sure to send Alex the Kh keeper and your pumps.. He will be the ideal person to test all the integration with your dosing, etc..
Really overkill for a thermal controller. I have set my controller and never touched it and my temperature have kept steady since. It cost 25 U.S. dollars and the control panel is exactly like yours so I am suspicious that it is the same manufacturer just adding features to the existing controller.
for that price the fact that the don't put native UK plugs in the unit and just use adaptors is really poor. I'll be steering well clear and sticking with my Elitech controller.
Will they be launching this in the US?
I don't know for sure, but I suspect they'll want to once they've set themselves up in the EU.
Hi I don't seem to get the temp swing you are getting with my d-d
?
Cool 👍
So here's the thing.. does reef factory gadgets allow themselves to be controlled by the results of others? Sounds as though it's separate gadgets linked by an app, rather than an actual controller. That's fine but a controller is 24/7, an app isn't.
Good point - I think probably yes as they'll have a KH monitor coming soon and they have dosing pumps so it would be a waste if not. But i'll see if I can find out...
It has malfunctioned after 14 days from the delivery, right now when the heat waves hit.
Displaying Error message is a reason for the unit to be shipped back to a "service center". I have tried reseting it and plugging it in different sockets around the house. All other equipment runs without a problem.
I have now contacted my retailer and will return it. I will definitely update you on how it went.
Considering I could have lost all my corals and fish I cannot recommend this product.
So Reef Factory organized a pick up by UPS 2 days after I contacted the retailer (Thursday) and received it after the weekend (Monday). After one week (Friday) I received a notification from UPS that they'll be delivering the TCu today (Monday).
My wife got home before me and did the unboxing, she has told me the TC box was really well packaged and protected. Unfortunately by the placement od the TC in the box and some dust on the cables I have realized that it's the original one that broke down.
As I plugged it in and it has immediately paired with the app again and started functioning properly.
I have received no information regarding the service. I have contacted the retailer and neither has he.
It's been running for an hour so far with no problems. I really hope it stays this way.
Long story short - it broke down, they picked it up and paid for the transport, they repaired it and shipped it back...so I'm happy. My guess is a malfunction of the thermometer or its wiring.
Glad you didn't lose anything.
I think reef factory are taking the P**** a bit with the price of this thing. You can get wifi app-controlled, dual probe inkbird heating controller for £46. Reef Factory are probably laughing up their cuff when they can get away with selling a heating controller at this price. Same with the PH Keeper. The only thing i would consider is the KH keeper as that seems to around the standard price for such a device.
"this video is sponsored"
Mihai A this advertisement is sponsored haha
Mine's the one with a Deadpool logo
It smashed the inkbird out the water but for the price ... 😟😱
first!
OK a thermo controller. Pretty much the ONLY important thing is the quality of the electronic components and reliability. A review of this kind of controller needs someone with knowledge of electronics to open the thing up and do a tear down. Ill stick my neck out and say its the same cheap chyna parts as any other controller. The packing, finish and how many lights it has is kind of irrelevant for such a mission critical piece of kit. Its all about the electronics.
I don't know my amps from my elbow so i'm no good for that! I'll report back longer term though for what it's worth.
@@ReefDork As a DIY enthusiast that is the unfortunate case for many reefers i think. Its why these kind of simple products wrapped in shiny plastic exist.