GHL has released new information on their upcoming ION director, a unit for Fully “automatic measurement and control of Ca, Mg, K, Na, NO3” according to GHL. In a recent video, the GHL USA team shows just how long it takes for the tests to take (around 10mins) and needs reference water for control sampling.
Of note though is the statement by GHL that it does not need a major Profilux controller to operate. Rather you can use a standalone GHL Doser or a Profilux controller 3 or higher to control the unit. Some users might like the additional flexibility of using the GHL doser without having to commit to a legacy controller box-like Profilux series.
To run the ION director you need at least 3 pump heads in your Doser for the water sample and ref A and B inputs. The GHL 4 pump doser retails for around $499 USD in the United States and GHL has said they plan to offer a ION director and GHL doser slave for around $899 USD.
To be fair though, the GHL ION Director has been seen its fair share of delays. Originally supposed to be released in Q1 2020 and moved to Q4 2020 with the following benefits added:
- Only 3 instead of 4 dosing pumps are needed for the measurement – the existing fourth pump of the GHL Doser can be used for any other purpose!
- Halving the reference consumption and there by reduction of the operating costs – instead of approx. 10 ml only approx. 5 ml are needed per measurement and reference!
- No more aquarium water is consumed – the complete water sample can be returned to the aquarium!
- The measurement is now super fast – currently, less than 10 minutes are needed for the complete measurement process!
As hobbyists expand into automated aquarium water and testing it is interesting how different companies approach their technology ecosystems and lock-in. Apparently, GHL has made the decision you can run the GHL ION director without having to invest in their series of Profilux aquarium controllers. But you still have to invest in a GHL dosing pump.
