balloonpilot,
I ran for years without a controller. I first would manualy turn on
and off everything. Later I got analog timers, then later yet digital timers.
Honestly when I had a smaller tank most of it was an easy task.
Along the line I thought it would be cool to automate it some
of it (top off, lights, temp etc.) it did make it a little less work.
I now have a 180 gallon tank, it uses about 3 gallons
a day in top off so ATO is almost a must.
But even on this tank when I first set it up I ran all
but the lighting manualy, so it can be done.
So the real answer to your question is NO you don't Need a
controller, does it make maintaining it little easier, Yes it can.
In your position would I spend prime dollars for all the toys,
Honestly NO.
A few Walmart timers, and a simple ATO would do.
Or something like a ReefKeeper Lite would work fine, and the
modules would be able to work with the elite if you ever wanted
one. That not be 100 % best solution since you would have to
re-buy the head.
So you could just go with the one of the more base RKE
packages, that puts you inthe RKE path and withall the
money you save you can spend it on Fish or taking your
kids out to the movies.
So in the end I would personally choose a basic RKE, or just
simple timers and blow the cash I saved on my wife and kids.
I just did that a few weeks ago and got a new puppy.
Lets see blow a bunch of cash in redoing all my lights or
on a puppy, and shots, and toys, and crate, and .......
Even thought the puppy is like having a two year old all over
again, I think the puppy was a much better choice over the lights.
My family sure enjoys her more than new lights, and honestly so don't I.
Before you plop down your hard earned money give it all some
real thought as to what you really need and not just want.
I wish you well in your choice.
PS: Puppies are easier to play fetch with
