Open your window mate and let some fresh air in no matter what the PH in the tank is. Fresh air is good for humans too!😁 Really impressed with Reef Factory - got two of the dossers and temperature gauge and love it especially the app👍🍺
PH pen from amazon £5 to £15 ok its a manual read and will give you the there abouts reading and the big but is if your in ph 7.8 to 8.2 are u going to chase numbers and worry that u don’t open enough windows for carbon dioxide I have a low ph 7.8 and it’s not the best number but im just going to leave my tank stable ... if I spend £200 I’m gunna panic that my tank hit 7.6 and there is not much I can do
Looks great. I'm holding off from purchasing in the hope Ecotech release something similar. It's price point is a little higher than I'd hoped but as you said, I don't think there's a comparable device on the market and I'd be keen on both this and the salinity meter. People who are comparing it to standalone ph measurement devices are missing the point - the reef factory device alerts but also trends and I think this is a game changer in terms of understanding your tank
Have you given Mobius a try? I had a crack at it for my Vortechs and I hate it! So i've gone back to my Reeflink which is also bad, but easier for a simpleton like myself!
I just bought this. I just wanted to monitor ph but didn’t want to shell out all that money to apex. They seem to be the only device that offer just ph Wi-Fi monitor
Hi Alex, just about to take the plunge and buy a PH meter but was looking for your promised long term review of this device? I have scoured the listings on your channel but alas, I cannot fond any review of the PH meter other than this 'first impressions'. Did you ever do a long term review of the PH meter and if not, is there a reason why not - and ultimately, would you still recommend this PH meter in terms of accuracy and ongoing costs such as replacement probes? Thanks
Didn't do one in the end but I dont have much more to add. They updated the pH probe a year or so ago - don't know why, I had no issues with the old one and the new one is fine. I had to replace the probe after about 18 months and you do need to calibrate it every couple of months, but it's a good bit of kit and I have no real complaints.
@ReefDork thanks Alex, if it's as good an investment as the auto water changer you recommended then I'll be a happy chap. 😁 I'm still not sure why the AWC kit from reefloat is still such an unknown gem; I wouldn't be without it now.
Great device. Is it possible to program an action on the smart reef app so that when pH varies a specific device like power switcher is then switched on or off? Thank you.
Hi reef dork, brilliant video but I have a off topic question if you have time to answer......I wonder if you have ever dealt with a white spot outbreak and even if you havnt how would you treat it if (God forbid) it broke out in your tank? Many tanks, keep up the great work
I had a mini outbreak in my first tank - I added a UV steriliser, fed more and just left it. Nothing died but I consider I got lucky. I don't know what I'd do now but I personally don't think white spot is something to panic about. I run UV, choose fish carefully, feed well and keep a nice environment. Which in my opinion is the best way to reduce stress and avoid diseases.
@@ReefDork I appreciate the reply, I'm having a similar issue to your first tank, I may well consider a UV system, iv not lost any fish other than a goby which may still be in with the pistol shrimp but just havnt seen it. Thank you very much, look forward to the next video!
@@danielmaddocks9315 my new white looking goby hid from when day one and I panicked fed new frozen food they ain’t had before and boom he was out like a flash swimming everywhere looking at me, I got the killing green machine it’s a great uv I got the biggest one think it was 12v helped me with green water issue and kind of helped when I got what looks like white spot or some stress only thing I think my regal was scared of was me lol only one of them the younger one could t care less I can actually touch him or her sometimes, my white spot went down I think it came from the other regal tang I got new both are tiny about the size of half my pink finger
Hey, thank you for the video. You mentioned a replacement probe in the comments, can you get this from them or could I replace it with another probe thst uses the same connector? Appreciate it 🙂
I tried a third party probe from Atlas Scientific which I believe is what the Alkatronic uses. But it didn't last very long so I changed back to RF. But I think you can use other probes and I had no issues other than longevity
@@ReefDork perfect thank you I think they use a BNC connector, I just wasn't sure if there was any issues with compatibility such as calibration ect but that's good to hear 👍
This thing looks great, but it sucks that it doesn't have control built into this meter - I'd love to have this for my calcium reactor, but that's not going to happen!
I NEED a pH monitor - I am slowly giving up on Seneye coming out with the coral (with KH) and I am thinking of saving up for the KH Guardian (the Seneye would be cheaper but not that much when you add in the wifi thingy and a dosing pump (you get a spare with the KH Director). KH Monitor? I'm excited but like the when I hear "standalone pH monitor" I get excited and then... Their stuff looks great... but the prices are high. The GHL Controller Mini Wifi is GBP300ish with the probe and does other things. Honestly Reef Factory is a really great concept but there's a premium and it's too much for budget friendly reefers and it's a premium price above quality brands that have earned trust. Coral Vue and the Hydros controller was what I thought would do it... but the Controller 2 can't measure pH - but my guess is they will bring one out and it will be $150 or less.... So I guess I don't need a pH monitor then - I've never checked it on my new tank and I check kH most nights - I will definitely need a KH monitor if I can ever fly back home to Australia again... looks like that is at least 2 years away... and they will make me take a vaccine... no thanks... I will just save my money aka spend it on expensive acros... Oh the GOLDENROD made it out here... and it's not out of this word expensive..... see when it's a pH monitor or a Goldenrod the answer is easy ;)
Thinking about it, ReefPi has a pH probe outlet I think. Too techy for me but could be an option. I saw the Hydros on Reef Dudes this week - looks really good. Love the redundancy stuff 🙂
Yes definitely overpriced considering it cant turn off the equipment that effects ph.... yes its great to know the ph all the time but if you were for example dosing kalkwasser or two part which raises ph considerably then there is no fail safe in place.... in my opinion they missed the mark with this one.... So the ph meter and temperature controller is around £400, for £60 more you could get the apex el which does a lot more than just monitor ph you can control it as well and upgrade and add on down the road.....
Alex can I ask you a question about the ATI essential you dose in your tank I'm thinking of starting to use it and wondered what the difference between the 3 bottle essential method and the 2 bottle Pro method. And roughly how long does it last you. And what do you use to keep your phosphates low
It's been a while since I've used ati essentials but I think it's just balling classic. Pro achieves the same goal but is pre-mixed and only has two bottles instead of three. They both provide your corals with alk, calc, mag and trace elements though. Pro is just more expensive and more convenient. 2L of Pro lasts me about a month now but my alkalinity consumption has increased massively recently. It used to last me three months not that long ago. I use Rowaphos tumbling in a reactor. Best way bar none
I took it offline a few months ago but i'll set it up again when I have a new pH probe. It's generally very good though, although the graphs aren't as easy to ready as some other pH probes.
Hmm. Maybe, although it's not been designed to measure such high pH and you can only calibrate it with pH 4 and 7 and not 7 and 10. And the probe probably won't last long in a pH solution of 12+.
My pH Meter has been giving false readings for the majority of the time I've had it. Reported it to Factory support but they're useless. Make you do test after test after test and when it still fails they don't come to the party with a replacement. I've bought the kH Keeper, 3 different dosing pumps and salinity monitor from them and won't be buying another one of their products.
@@ReefDork hahaha, thanks. I've just tidied all my cabling for that very reason. I was little worried as read a ReefBuilders article from 2021 where they stated the BNC cable was 34" and also watched a foreign video where it looked short out the box. I've contacted Reef Factory just to be sure as I don't have a sump so only have a limited area of where it can go.
Does this come with the double junction probe pal? Interested to see the results of the kh plus. Whats your thoughts on it so far? Yes or no to purchase?
@@MrB2989 I disconnected it a few months ago but I'll reconnect it soon. After a couple of months, pH info is boring as it doesn't change! But if you're doing something to monitor pH, it's useful. The graph in the app doesn't really suit pH which I think I mentioned in the review, but it's fine.
Low pH itself doesn't really matter so you wouldn't need to do anything. But if it's very low, that's probably a sign your alkalinity is low too so you could tell your doser to add alkalinity.
I just want to say whoever hired that girl for the Reef Factory videos deserves a raise. What a Babraham Lincoln.
You are very right
Open your window mate and let some fresh air in no matter what the PH in the tank is. Fresh air is good for humans too!😁 Really impressed with Reef Factory - got two of the dossers and temperature gauge and love it especially the app👍🍺
Ekoral sells a controller that monitors all the basics and has a 4 plug power bar and is upgradable.
PH pen from amazon £5 to £15 ok its a manual read and will give you the there abouts reading and the big but is if your in ph 7.8 to 8.2 are u going to chase numbers and worry that u don’t open enough windows for carbon dioxide I have a low ph 7.8 and it’s not the best number but im just going to leave my tank stable ... if I spend £200 I’m gunna panic that my tank hit 7.6 and there is not much I can do
Brilliant video Alex, I will certainly be purchasing one off these.
Like the look of this 👌 really torn between this and the ghl but looks a smart unit 👍
Looks great. I'm holding off from purchasing in the hope Ecotech release something similar. It's price point is a little higher than I'd hoped but as you said, I don't think there's a comparable device on the market and I'd be keen on both this and the salinity meter. People who are comparing it to standalone ph measurement devices are missing the point - the reef factory device alerts but also trends and I think this is a game changer in terms of understanding your tank
Have you given Mobius a try? I had a crack at it for my Vortechs and I hate it! So i've gone back to my Reeflink which is also bad, but easier for a simpleton like myself!
I just bought this. I just wanted to monitor ph but didn’t want to shell out all that money to apex. They seem to be the only device that offer just ph Wi-Fi monitor
Hi Alex, just about to take the plunge and buy a PH meter but was looking for your promised long term review of this device? I have scoured the listings on your channel but alas, I cannot fond any review of the PH meter other than this 'first impressions'. Did you ever do a long term review of the PH meter and if not, is there a reason why not - and ultimately, would you still recommend this PH meter in terms of accuracy and ongoing costs such as replacement probes? Thanks
Didn't do one in the end but I dont have much more to add. They updated the pH probe a year or so ago - don't know why, I had no issues with the old one and the new one is fine. I had to replace the probe after about 18 months and you do need to calibrate it every couple of months, but it's a good bit of kit and I have no real complaints.
@ReefDork thanks Alex, if it's as good an investment as the auto water changer you recommended then I'll be a happy chap. 😁 I'm still not sure why the AWC kit from reefloat is still such an unknown gem; I wouldn't be without it now.
Great device. Is it possible to program an action on the smart reef app so that when pH varies a specific device like power switcher is then switched on or off? Thank you.
No unfortunately not 😕
@@ReefDork thank you so much
Hi reef dork, brilliant video but I have a off topic question if you have time to answer......I wonder if you have ever dealt with a white spot outbreak and even if you havnt how would you treat it if (God forbid) it broke out in your tank? Many tanks, keep up the great work
I had a mini outbreak in my first tank - I added a UV steriliser, fed more and just left it. Nothing died but I consider I got lucky. I don't know what I'd do now but I personally don't think white spot is something to panic about. I run UV, choose fish carefully, feed well and keep a nice environment. Which in my opinion is the best way to reduce stress and avoid diseases.
@@ReefDork I appreciate the reply, I'm having a similar issue to your first tank, I may well consider a UV system, iv not lost any fish other than a goby which may still be in with the pistol shrimp but just havnt seen it. Thank you very much, look forward to the next video!
@@danielmaddocks9315 my new white looking goby hid from when day one and I panicked fed new frozen food they ain’t had before and boom he was out like a flash swimming everywhere looking at me, I got the killing green machine it’s a great uv I got the biggest one think it was 12v helped me with green water issue and kind of helped when I got what looks like white spot or some stress only thing I think my regal was scared of was me lol only one of them the younger one could t care less I can actually touch him or her sometimes, my white spot went down I think it came from the other regal tang I got new both are tiny about the size of half my pink finger
Love the vids dork! Get stuck in!
Hey, thank you for the video. You mentioned a replacement probe in the comments, can you get this from them or could I replace it with another probe thst uses the same connector? Appreciate it 🙂
I tried a third party probe from Atlas Scientific which I believe is what the Alkatronic uses. But it didn't last very long so I changed back to RF. But I think you can use other probes and I had no issues other than longevity
@@ReefDork perfect thank you I think they use a BNC connector, I just wasn't sure if there was any issues with compatibility such as calibration ect but that's good to hear 👍
Where is the long term test video Alex?
Didn't ever make it - nothing really worth talking about in a long-term video
This thing looks great, but it sucks that it doesn't have control built into this meter - I'd love to have this for my calcium reactor, but that's not going to happen!
I NEED a pH monitor - I am slowly giving up on Seneye coming out with the coral (with KH) and I am thinking of saving up for the KH Guardian (the Seneye would be cheaper but not that much when you add in the wifi thingy and a dosing pump (you get a spare with the KH Director).
KH Monitor? I'm excited but like the when I hear "standalone pH monitor" I get excited and then...
Their stuff looks great... but the prices are high. The GHL Controller Mini Wifi is GBP300ish with the probe and does other things.
Honestly Reef Factory is a really great concept but there's a premium and it's too much for budget friendly reefers and it's a premium price above quality brands that have earned trust.
Coral Vue and the Hydros controller was what I thought would do it... but the Controller 2 can't measure pH - but my guess is they will bring one out and it will be $150 or less....
So I guess I don't need a pH monitor then - I've never checked it on my new tank and I check kH most nights - I will definitely need a KH monitor if I can ever fly back home to Australia again... looks like that is at least 2 years away... and they will make me take a vaccine... no thanks... I will just save my money aka spend it on expensive acros... Oh the GOLDENROD made it out here... and it's not out of this word expensive..... see when it's a pH monitor or a Goldenrod the answer is easy ;)
Thinking about it, ReefPi has a pH probe outlet I think. Too techy for me but could be an option. I saw the Hydros on Reef Dudes this week - looks really good. Love the redundancy stuff 🙂
@@ReefDork Yeah for sure - there's heaps of amazing stuff being launched for those who are into controllers ;)
Good video as always, personally I'd pay that sort of money for a ph controller, but not for just a monitor like this.
Fair shout 👍
Yes definitely overpriced considering it cant turn off the equipment that effects ph.... yes its great to know the ph all the time but if you were for example dosing kalkwasser or two part which raises ph considerably then there is no fail safe in place.... in my opinion they missed the mark with this one....
So the ph meter and temperature controller is around £400, for £60 more you could get the apex el which does a lot more than just monitor ph you can control it as well and upgrade and add on down the road.....
@@tomengland5082 they are bringing out a smart switch so ph can be controlled at some point, although like you say we are in apex territory money wise
@@wildernessfalconry6692 that would make more sense providing its not stupid money as well.....
@@tomengland5082 I read around £30
Do you have a frag tank, I’m setting one up
Yep. There'll be an update video about it this Sunday at 2pm 🙂
Did you ever do a follow-up video on this product? Do you trust it?
I didn't, no. I definitely trust it and the probe lasts up to 18 months in my experience. It's a pretty simple device but it's a good bit of kit.
Did you ever do a long term review?
No, not much more to add to be fair - probe lasted about 18 months, otherwise it's all good.
Alex can I ask you a question about the ATI essential you dose in your tank I'm thinking of starting to use it and wondered what the difference between the 3 bottle essential method and the 2 bottle Pro method. And roughly how long does it last you. And what do you use to keep your phosphates low
It's been a while since I've used ati essentials but I think it's just balling classic. Pro achieves the same goal but is pre-mixed and only has two bottles instead of three. They both provide your corals with alk, calc, mag and trace elements though. Pro is just more expensive and more convenient. 2L of Pro lasts me about a month now but my alkalinity consumption has increased massively recently. It used to last me three months not that long ago. I use Rowaphos tumbling in a reactor. Best way bar none
@@ReefDork that what I'm using atm for my phosphate but It seem rather expensive and only last me about 4 week
Watch this video - there's a way of making it slightly cheaper and last longer - ruclips.net/video/ThZ4C35xxp0/видео.html
Its like $400+ here in Aus. Bit of a rip off considering it just measures pH
Yeah, it's certainly not cheap. I found it really useful while I was starting kalkwasser but I don't really check pH anymore
Interested to hear how you are finding the monitor long term?
I took it offline a few months ago but i'll set it up again when I have a new pH probe. It's generally very good though, although the graphs aren't as easy to ready as some other pH probes.
Can i use it to measure in a kalkwasser reactor?
Hmm. Maybe, although it's not been designed to measure such high pH and you can only calibrate it with pH 4 and 7 and not 7 and 10. And the probe probably won't last long in a pH solution of 12+.
The worst part about this is that you waited till nearly the end tell me how much it cost and now I really want it
My pH Meter has been giving false readings for the majority of the time I've had it. Reported it to Factory support but they're useless. Make you do test after test after test and when it still fails they don't come to the party with a replacement.
I've bought the kH Keeper, 3 different dosing pumps and salinity monitor from them and won't be buying another one of their products.
Any plans to come to the US?
I'll ask...
Yes, plans to be in the US soon!
Do you still have this? Could you confirm the power cable and probe cable length?
I do but it's all one big snake's nest of cables in cabinet so I can't say beyond "it's quite long"
@@ReefDork hahaha, thanks. I've just tidied all my cabling for that very reason. I was little worried as read a ReefBuilders article from 2021 where they stated the BNC cable was 34" and also watched a foreign video where it looked short out the box. I've contacted Reef Factory just to be sure as I don't have a sump so only have a limited area of where it can go.
Does this come with the double junction probe pal? Interested to see the results of the kh plus. Whats your thoughts on it so far? Yes or no to purchase?
I'm not sure - I asked RF before I made the video but they didn't say...
@@ReefDork are you still happy with the ph meter? About to order 1 but nothing long term about then
@@MrB2989 I disconnected it a few months ago but I'll reconnect it soon. After a couple of months, pH info is boring as it doesn't change! But if you're doing something to monitor pH, it's useful. The graph in the app doesn't really suit pH which I think I mentioned in the review, but it's fine.
@@ReefDork thanks buddy. I guess its boring but especially on a new system its handy. Love your vids. Just subscribed
When pH is low . Imagine you are in holiday. What can you do correct your pH from aboard ? Thanks in advance
Low pH itself doesn't really matter so you wouldn't need to do anything. But if it's very low, that's probably a sign your alkalinity is low too so you could tell your doser to add alkalinity.
@@ReefDork ok fantastic really appreciate your help
Never knew you had a cat. What's his/her's name?????
😅 He's called Fred Titmus (named after the song...)
600AUD in Australia on eBay theres way better and cheaper monitors out there
Atleast the app works on a PC, regret owning 2 ai primes and 2 ai nero - lost my phone and well i just hate mobile apps.
Wo im f.......fi........ not first
😅
I just bought a seneye......
Seneyes are still great but for me they're best for temperature and water level alarms as well as par tests 🙂
Too bad it isn't in the U.S