Controller or not???

T

TankArchitect

Member
Hi,

I previously had a Reefkeeper controller which has since died. Looking at options for replacement. Currently I'm just running my equipment on a power strip and timers.

I'm not sure I want to invest in the expense of an Apex system and not convinced of the reliability or support for a new Reefkeeper. I'm also not sure that it's necessarily a good thing to have everything hooked to a controller.

My question is if everyone considers a controller a necessity? If so, do you use it for everything? (I'm thinking I could just use a standard surge suppressor power strip with individual on/off switches for constant use items like the return pump and skimmer and to run equipment which already has its own controller/timer built in or included, like certain models of LED lights and powerheads). I'm also not necessarily into all the bells and whistles of the more elaborate systems like graphing, email notifications, etc. (I will be retired very shortly so I will be at home for much more of my time).

Just looking for some input/opinions on this topic.

Thanks, John
 
I use the Reef Angel controller. I don't think I would run a tank without one. I love being able to monitor it from anywhere.

Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A10-70F using Tapatalk
 
Controller or not???

I thought about controllers for a while and I decided against it. Yes it's probably nice to have but I never really had issues with using just timers and power strips. I do have a ranco temp controller as I feel temperature must be controlled the most. Plus must pumps come with controllers of their own like my mp40's and dosing pump. Other than the ranco it's not needed. If I see something fail I'll just replace it as needed. I don't go away from home often but if you do it might be a good investment. That's my 2 cents


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well, you dont drive your car without insurance, for me, that's same for a tank with controller.
sure you can buy a more reliable temp controller like ranco, but if that fails you done, but with controller, i have min. 2 temp probes. if any of them are off, i got text and it will turn off my return pump/light. so most i will have to lose is what i have in my sump.
 
OK thanks.

Not to be challenging, but again just asking, if the conensus is to use a controller (like Apex) as "insurance", everyone considers this (the controller itself) to be failsafe? Like I said, I've had my previous controller fail, but maybe just because it was a DA and not Apex?
 
All can fail. Just make sure you have it setup to have the bare nessisities running in the event of a total failure. My vortech's are my backup. They are not dependant on the controller and have battery backup. I run the Archon which is DA's latest controller. Which Reefkeeper do you have? The Archon is compatible with RKE and RKL modules.
 
Thanks,

I don't have a Reefkeeper now - it kind of wen crazy and the outlets weren't controllabel (albeit it was about 5 or 6 years old).
Your thinking is what I was thinking. Run separate controllable things like vortechs or tunzes on a separate power source and use the controller for timer functions, heater, and maybe backup for ato.
 
Everything can and will fail at some point.

You just need to make the necessary steps to ensure you have backups and everything is programmed properly.

Apex has fallback modes for most things. If communication is lost, it will do what you program the fallback to do. On or off.

As for not being away, that's the best for having a controller. You will be close by when you are alerted to any issues and can correct for it.

If you are sitting watching TV or out in the back yard and your return fails, you'll get an alert (if you set up the necessary probes to detect such a condition). You can run in and find out what's going on immediately! You can't be in front of your tank the WHOLE time.


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I don't use one. I don't have anything against one, but people do depend on them too much - they are just hobby grade piece of equipment. I use a Ranco for temp, which is more industrial grade.

I think that the smart folks use them as timers and to notify. If you trust a hobby grade temp or PH probe to add things to your tank automatically, then you are asking for trouble. I look at my tank several times a day and don't need notifications of anything.

Lastly, some people just like to tinker and design and build stuff - if you are one of those, then you might really love one.
 
I guess as I suspected - mixed opinions.

I think right now I'm leaning towards this with the following pieces of equipment:

On surge suppressor power strip with individual on'off rocker switches for each outlet
Return pump - constant on
Skimmer pump - constant on
Powerheads - with their own controller, constant on

On a controller:
Tank lights - two or three channel LED fixture on controller timer outlets (still debating whether to go with a fixture with built-in timers and just plug this into the power strip)
Refugium light - once channel LED fixture on controller timer outlet
Heater - on controller heater outlet
ATO/Kalk - doser pump running on IM Hydrofill Ti with a backup maximum run time controller timer outlet.

So, if I do the above (and I run the ATO and fuge timers on the same schedule at night), I could conceivably get by with a less expensive 4 outlet controller.
 
I think they are well worth the piece of mind.
And if you get one with lab grade probs you wont have any issue using them to dose etc. I personally like the Apex which I have the Apex Gold old style model, used to have a RKE and really it's in the same class.
 
I couldn't tell you how many times a controller has saved my tank. Even times when I am home. Just last week I working in the yard and I got a text saying my temp was climbing. My chiller had blow a fuse. Is a ranco going to save you then, no. Best insurance you can buy! I have been in this hobby over 40 years and a controller is the single best investment I have purchased.
 
I have an apex classic system I purchased almost 4 years ago. It failed once but apex seems to be reasonable when sent in for repair was charged $75 works even better then before. Since last failure I asked around if anyone on RC had a spare apex brain to sell me. Someone sold me one for $60 now I'm ready if the main unit goes down again. Having a backup spare is to me good insurance.
 
OK. I'm thinking I'll go the controller route when I redo my 75 gallon tank - probably start this fall. Sounds like the Apex is the way to go vs. Reefkeeper? I'm looking at the Aquacontroller Classic.
 
Longevity seems to be placement keep them away from salt creep, splash and high humid areas. USB cables are universal and work on apex so buying a 15 footer is a good way to keep the controllers further away from the tank.
 
john fidler said:
Jyetman - When your Apex failed did everything default to where it should have? No crash?
Click to expand...

Yes when apex fails or turns off there is a statement so outlets resort back to default condition on or off. Correct programming is key but when I tried to switch the brains it has to be done right not a simple task like a quick swap.
 
john fidler said:
I guess as I suspected - mixed opinions.

I think right now I'm leaning towards this with the following pieces of equipment:

On surge suppressor power strip with individual on'off rocker switches for each outlet
Return pump - constant on
Skimmer pump - constant on
Powerheads - with their own controller, constant on

On a controller:
Tank lights - two or three channel LED fixture on controller timer outlets (still debating whether to go with a fixture with built-in timers and just plug this into the power strip)
Refugium light - once channel LED fixture on controller timer outlet
Heater - on controller heater outlet
ATO/Kalk - doser pump running on IM Hydrofill Ti with a backup maximum run time controller timer outlet.

So, if I do the above (and I run the ATO and fuge timers on the same schedule at night), I could conceivably get by with a less expensive 4 outlet controller.
Click to expand...

Why not run the skimmer from the controller. I have a collection tank with a float switch to cutoff the skimmer if it gets full. It has saved me from a flood a couple of times when the skimmer decided to run amok. I also control my return pump from the controller. That way if something springs a big enough leak to trip the leak detector it will turn it off. If fact the leak detectors will turn everything except the Vortech's off. A tank can go a few hours without the skimmer. Even the return has been off awhile without an issue.

You can get the basic RKL fairly cheap. It comes with one power bar and a temp probe. It can run with up to 4 modules attached so you can add more outlets buy getting another power bar when needed.

You will need a different timer for ATO than the fuge light. Mine can run for 1 1/2 minutes every 30 minutes. I use the controller with a float switch to turn the ATO off if it fills up before the timer expires. Your fuge light will be on for hours at a time. Not sure you would want the ATO on that long.ew
 
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