A good Controller?

[MaroonFish]

Hi Guys,

I was thinking of getting a controller.

What is the best one to get?

I was looking at the Neptune Aqua Controller JR or the Reefkeeper 2. What one is the more stable brand? Did anyone have problems with these controllers?

Is there any other brands I should look at?

Thanks,

Eric

 

[geckofrog]

I have a Reefkeeper 2 and you can see the tank its running on my blog: www.reefbuilders.com/blog/

 

[dougchambers]

There are a number of threads out here comparing the ACJr and RK2. Take a look... Also think about what you want to accomplish with a controller and map out how many outlets you need now and in the future.

I can't speak directly to the RK2, but it looks like a nice unit and was #2 on our selection quest behind a Neptune controller. Granted we got the AC3 which has quite a bit more horsepower, but the base programming language and flexibility are the same for the ACJr. I can speak to the service from Neptune. It is second to none and their Forum support speaks strongly to their customer service commitment. Half the time, the forum group has an answer posted before Curt from Neptune can chime in.

Honestly, I don’t think you can go too wrong with either one, but for my money, we wanted the power and flexibility afforded by an AquaController. Swing by the forum to get an idea of what people are doing with their controllers.

-Doug

 

[RobbyG]

Check out Aquatronica controllers also. Very expandable and tons of add-on hardware items. You can start out fairly cheap and it can really grow with you over time.
www.aquariumobsessed.com

 

[MaroonFish]

Nice tank Ryan!


This is what I am looking for in a controler

1. Control my light I have 4 sets that I want to come on diffrent times.
2. Control my 3 powerheads.
3. Control a doser to feed my corals when I am away. (I would like it to turn my powerheads off at that time).
and 4. if posable control my chiller and heater.

So I would need about 8-12 plugs.


Thanks,

Eric

 

[drummereef]

Aquacontroller Jr rules. I can check my tank stats anywhere, anytime with this bad boy. I wouldn't run another tank without one.

 

[dougchambers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8613166#post8613166 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MaroonFish
Nice tank Ryan!


This is what I am looking for in a controler

1. Control my light I have 4 sets that I want to come on diffrent times.
2. Control my 3 powerheads.
3. Control a doser to feed my corals when I am away. (I would like it to turn my powerheads off at that time).
and 4. if posable control my chiller and heater.

So I would need about 8-12 plugs.


Thanks,

Eric

I'd suggest the ACJr with a DC8 and DC4 or DC4HD. Realize that you are limited to 12 total outputs on the ACJr. If you step up to the ACIII you bump to 24 outputs and built-in webhosting. If you get the ACJr, definitely get the serial option for remote programming!

Here is the comparison sheet if you need it;

http://www.neptunesys.com/comparison.htm

-Doug

 

[geckofrog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8613166#post8613166 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MaroonFish
Nice tank Ryan!


This is what I am looking for in a controler

1. Control my light I have 4 sets that I want to come on diffrent times.
2. Control my 3 powerheads.
3. Control a doser to feed my corals when I am away. (I would like it to turn my powerheads off at that time).
and 4. if posable control my chiller and heater.

So I would need about 8-12 plugs.


Thanks,

Eric

Thanks!

 

[neotekz]

sounds like the acjr is a better option for you, the reefkeeper 2 is a good simple controller but isn't as versatile. you can do pretty much anything you want with the inputs from the probes.
some people say that the ACjr is hard to program but i find the programming language and menu very easy to navigate. i got the serial option but i haven't used it yet, it took me about 20mins to set up. the option to use 12 plugs is also a huge plus, leaves a lot of room for upgrades.

 

[JR719]

I have the Aqua Controller II and don't know how I made it so long without it. I can only imagine what the AC III would do.
The customer service with Neptune is second to none, that was the big seller for me. You won't go wrong with one of their controllers.

 

[McCrary]

I am getting the Reefkeeper 2. They seem to be pretty similiar and the Reefkeeper 2 looks better in my opinion, so I am going to go with it. But I am not going to be doing anything to intense with the controller. A friend has the AC Jr. and really likes the flexibilty, but for someone who is just going to be using it to control pH through their calcium reactor, temperature and lights it should work fine.

 

[elephen]

My vote is for the Jr. Locally someone put together a large buy of RK2's and out of 16 ordered 4 didn't work/had major issues and DA wouldn't stand behind them.

I run an ACIII and Neptune by far makes some of the most superior control equipment. There is another out there that is more flashy but I think Neptune has it down pat.

 

[MaroonFish]

Thanks for all your feed back.

Eric