Hey Sam, any follow up reviews on these? Still running them or recommend them? Im in the market for one atm and have noticed the prices have dropped significantly now to within my budget.
Alkatronic doses the reagent into the testing vessel using a stepper motor dosing pump. It has to be re-calibrated periodically. It also has other pumps similar to the KH Guardian to pump in tank water, pump out the completed test solution and dose small additions of alkalinity solution to the tank.
Nice Video! They really state the reagent is reef-safe? What is it? Sounds like it's some form of acid - that could mess with your PH level or even bacteria (like vinegar?) if you dump enough of it in - I'm no chemist though so I'm probably wrong ;) When you flush the waste reagent into an internal skimmer's cup you should have a skimmate collector because in case the skimmer overflows some of the reagent might get into the tank. But the KHG is a really nice device I'd love to test out on my reef - i used the Salifert KH test every ~2 days in the last two years and got somewhat sick of it lol You mentioned the time you roughly need per week for "upkeep" of the KHG. That sounds about like the time I need every week for my KH tests... so no advantage there. BUT the KHG can test multiple times per day during the week. Which looks like it offers a level of stability any reeftank with acropora in it would benefit from!
Thanks for the reply Felix. I can only say that the creator says it is reef safe, but you have the option to dump it to waste if you prefer (which I do). My skimmer cannot overflow, it has a slow drain connected to it all the time and also a shut off switch should it fill quickly. I was being pretty generous for the amount of time required to service the KHG. Realistically, if you looked over it for 10-15mins a month it would be fine.
I don't really understand how this is of much use as I thought you had to dose alkalinity and calcium in a fixed ratio otherwise you water parameters will get out of balance. That's why you use two-part solutions that are dosed in equal parts. If you use this to automate alkalinity dosage how do you know how much calcium and magnesium to dose to maintain balanced water paramaters?
You use this to track your two part dosing. Once you see additional uptake it trends via the KHG, you adjust your dosing (or calcium reactor) to suit. Also, you use the KHG to control your cal reactor or connect to an apex or similar to manage other dosing too :)
How many mls of tank water does it take for each test? I’m wondering if you do 12 tests per day and the ATO is topping off with rodi could salinity change much?
Great question! It takes about 20ml of tank water per test. I have an automatic water change system which allows me to precisely dial in the amount of water added and removed from my tank - so it is no issue for me. I wouldn’t think it would make much difference in large tanks, but something you would need to consider in smaller tanks
@@JasonStJohn-my1cs In the 3-4 years of operation across 3 units I have had to do some servicing yes. I replace ph probes every 12 months and clean out the dosing pump heads (like any other doser) every few months)
That’s what I, wondering because my pH is good, calcium is perfect but alkalinity is lower than I’d like it to be. Maybe I’ll just pony up the money for a dastaco Ca reactor...
@@ParkersReef Hi mate, i picked up the same repeater today, but for some reason in bridge/repeater mode it can't reach the internet. Have you had this issue?
@@ParkersReef Thanks, are you still using it. I plan to buy one. Price for other brands are too expensive. With the same money i can buy KHG and 4 years of reagents. So i am wondering.
@@ParkersReef Cheers for the reply !!. Been eyeing one off one at RS for a while and could't pass it up the other day 😉🍻 fantastic job on the vids mate 🖒
I saw they had one cheap. I’ve set quite a few of these up (actually helping someone over text right now!) so yell out if you have any trouble or questions
Hey Sam, any follow up reviews on these? Still running them or recommend them? Im in the market for one atm and have noticed the prices have dropped significantly now to within my budget.
Just saw this comment, yeah mate - still running them and still loving them. Great investments!
@@ParkersReef haha all good mate. You actually already answered me in private chat haha
Hi Sam,, would you recommend the kh guardian or the kh keeper plus by reef factory trying to decide between the 2
the two are suited to two very different types of reefers.
If you want automations and an app, go the reefkeeper. If you do not, go the KH Guardian :)
what's the difference between this and alkatronic? i think you mentioned that the alkatronic measures by dosing and kh guardian counts the drops?
Alkatronic doses the reagent into the testing vessel using a stepper motor dosing pump. It has to be re-calibrated periodically. It also has other pumps similar to the KH Guardian to pump in tank water, pump out the completed test solution and dose small additions of alkalinity solution to the tank.
@@jimchase3551 sorry for the slow reply - but yes, the difference is how they measure the reagent required :)
Great vid! Been thinking about one for awhile!
Thanks Sam, awesome review mate!!!
Hi Sam , very helpful video . I thought mine one is broken until I found at 10:45 that the unit resets .
yeah they reset after each test - totally normal behaviour :D
Nice Video!
They really state the reagent is reef-safe? What is it? Sounds like it's some form of acid - that could mess with your PH level or even bacteria (like vinegar?) if you dump enough of it in - I'm no chemist though so I'm probably wrong ;)
When you flush the waste reagent into an internal skimmer's cup you should have a skimmate collector because in case the skimmer overflows some of the reagent might get into the tank.
But the KHG is a really nice device I'd love to test out on my reef - i used the Salifert KH test every ~2 days in the last two years and got somewhat sick of it lol
You mentioned the time you roughly need per week for "upkeep" of the KHG. That sounds about like the time I need every week for my KH tests... so no advantage there.
BUT the KHG can test multiple times per day during the week. Which looks like it offers a level of stability any reeftank with acropora in it would benefit from!
Thanks for the reply Felix. I can only say that the creator says it is reef safe, but you have the option to dump it to waste if you prefer (which I do).
My skimmer cannot overflow, it has a slow drain connected to it all the time and also a shut off switch should it fill quickly.
I was being pretty generous for the amount of time required to service the KHG. Realistically, if you looked over it for 10-15mins a month it would be fine.
Good review. Does the unit need to be connected to your network or is that just for convenience?
Cheers. Doesn’t need to be, but if you want to look at the results (other than on the lcd screen) you’ll want to hook it up to your network
I don't really understand how this is of much use as I thought you had to dose alkalinity and calcium in a fixed ratio otherwise you water parameters will get out of balance. That's why you use two-part solutions that are dosed in equal parts. If you use this to automate alkalinity dosage how do you know how much calcium and magnesium to dose to maintain balanced water paramaters?
You use this to track your two part dosing. Once you see additional uptake it trends via the KHG, you adjust your dosing (or calcium reactor) to suit.
Also, you use the KHG to control your cal reactor or connect to an apex or similar to manage other dosing too :)
You never showed how to connect to the apex or what it looks like when connected
How many mls of tank water does it take for each test? I’m wondering if you do 12 tests per day and the ATO is topping off with rodi could salinity change much?
Great question! It takes about 20ml of tank water per test. I have an automatic water change system which allows me to precisely dial in the amount of water added and removed from my tank - so it is no issue for me. I wouldn’t think it would make much difference in large tanks, but something you would need to consider in smaller tanks
I was wondering if you are still using your dkh checker and doser. And does it still work Properly
absolutely. Been running the KHG for a number of years now, couldn't be happier
So you haven’t had any issues with any of the motors or pumps or the pH probe at all.
@@JasonStJohn-my1cs In the 3-4 years of operation across 3 units I have had to do some servicing yes. I replace ph probes every 12 months and clean out the dosing pump heads (like any other doser) every few months)
why is this only out now ? because of the competition from Alkatronic ?
KHG was out well before alkatronic... Video is out now because I had a couple people ask me about them :)
@@ParkersReef ...yeah, I am aware the KHG was out before......but why didn't you release this ages ago when I was looking for one ?
Lol sorry mate 😂
I am running my khg for 3 years. Best investment I ever added to my system. Great product!
bloody good things huh!?
Absolutely love my KHgs. Srsly best investment ever.
Hey whats up omar!
You run this alongside a calcium reactor?
That’s what I, wondering because my pH is good, calcium is perfect but alkalinity is lower than I’d like it to be. Maybe I’ll just pony up the money for a dastaco Ca reactor...
@@thegolflife7565 sorry for the slow reply. Yes, I do run these with calcium reactors - works a treat!
What model / brand is the wifi repeater?
TP Link MR3020 :)
@@ParkersReef Hi mate, i picked up the same repeater today, but for some reason in bridge/repeater mode it can't reach the internet. Have you had this issue?
cant say I have sorry mate
Hi Sam, can these run in conjunction with a calcium reactor?
Yes, absolutely! That's how I run mine :)
Parkers Reef thanks Sam
What's the set up like? Webbased or Windows only?
Dan La web based or on the Device itself
@@ParkersReef awesome.... Best place to buy in Melbourne?
I like to shop at deer park aquarium in Melbourne
Please share the brand of that wifi extension module.
It is tp link
@@ParkersReef Thanks, are you still using it. I plan to buy one. Price for other brands are too expensive. With the same money i can buy KHG and 4 years of reagents. So i am wondering.
they're a fantastic unit!
@@PunchGaming1007 and yes, I certainly do still use it
Hay Sam. How often have you had to replace the PH probe, and where do you source you probes from (im in Aus too) cheers gab 🖒
Hey Gab, I’m a bit lazy and swap them out around 12-18months. I buy them from my local fish store deer park
@@ParkersReef Cheers for the reply !!. Been eyeing one off one at RS for a while and could't pass it up the other day 😉🍻 fantastic job on the vids mate 🖒
I saw they had one cheap. I’ve set quite a few of these up (actually helping someone over text right now!) so yell out if you have any trouble or questions
good video. easy to follow.
thank you!
So is this checking actual alkalinity or just pH?
Alkalinity :)
Man is that 3D printed bracket
It’s made from acrylic
@@ParkersReef anyone make it or you just measure it up
@@cheekonv Was made by an acrylic champion here in Australia, "Anything Acrylic"
@@ParkersReef Sweet Ill give Thomas a call :) does't live to far from me Top Bloke and i get most my fist QT from him LOL
982 O'Kon Flats
289 o’Doyle rules
Johnson Kimberly Hall Anna Lee John
Lost me 😅
Martinez Daniel Martinez John Taylor Ruth
John Mary Joesph!