Controller or not???

I am a big fan of a controller. I use an APEX.

What I love about it is that I can control multiple tanks with one controller. I simply buy an additional PM module and energy bar and I am good to go.

You can usually score a used system locally for a great price. I wish I did that instead of getting a brand new one. I would have saved some good $$
 
Wow. Just got back to this thread today - guess I did raise a lot of discussion.

Anyway, I think I reached my decision:
When I do my 75 replacement/upgrade I will invest in an Apex Classic with the heartbeat function activated. Am also considering running certain functions (particularly wavemaker - considering Ice Cap 3k gyre) separate from the controller and on their own separate circuit (but that I haven't decided yet:)).

Thanks for all the replies.
 
I am not saying not to get a controller... just don't fool yourself about what it is capable of, have redundancy on everything and don't create problems with it for it to later solve.

I have all of the money in the world for this hobby and choose not to use one for a myriad of reasons, but be assured that if I thought that it would actually save or help anything that I would have one... but I probably would have wrote my own using a Mac Mini and not bought one that is out there. For me, Ranco Dual stage (I have a Medusa on another tank) is more than enough.

BTW - the dude who had is apex freeze did not send out heartbeat either.. just consider this. Separate circuits area always good - you can do these with any good controller.
 
The frozen apex would send out heartbeat as that is done from fusion server and not the actual apex...

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five.five-six said:
You can't get your desperat controllers to shut off the lights? To turn on fans? Can you set them to .1 degrees? Can you set the min cycle on/of times so your chiller will only start once every 5 minutes? Or how about oh crap statements like if temp > 85 (probe broken or out of water) chiller off? And send you a text for critical alarms like wet floor?

When you add up all the cost for the jumble of power strips, timers and controllers against the cost of a used controller, the price is pretty close but the functionality of a controller is the hands down winner.

Mind you, I bought a black label APEX classic with PB8 for $200, no pH probe.
Click to expand...



Granted have I never had an apex, I just feel the money is too great compared to other options of controlling what I need to control. To answer your questions
- I use hydras they control themselves no need for an extra control.
- fans for what light fans? Light controls it's own fans. Fans for chilling? I have a chiller which is controlled a $30 temp controller which can be set to 0.1 degree.
- I dunno why I would want my chiller to turn on every 5 minutes? Actually curious about this. When it's needed it's controller turns on and turns it off when it's not.
- granted no email or text or anything for any failings like water on floor. But I'd hope that wouldn't happen as I have other fail safes to avoid any reason my tank would dump its water outside of itself


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You absolutely can keep a successful tank without a controller. But a controller makes it a lot easier. The information from just the graphing features alone is invaluable. Being able to see what happens when your heaters turn on or your Chiller turns on or where you're tank naturally sets at temperature or at pH. That information is tremendous in and of itself.
 
You can see if your heater is struggling to keep the tank warm at night or if after it turns on its spikes and maybe your heater is too big. Same with the chiller is it struggling to keep your tank cool or not maybe you need some fans to kick on 2 tenths of a degree after your Chiller hits at set point. There is just a ton of functionality
 
I get that, but i do think the Apex itself is a little over rated. And I do get the want to be control the minute details but it's not necessary for me. To each their own.

I have a fair bit of controllability, I mean I have automatic water change system set up. I think my biggest thing is making life easier. Not giving me endless things to monitor. Which to me means extra time and effort monitoring it and fixing it when it doesn't work correctly.


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Also a main issue not just Apex but most controllers seem to have the base set of ph and orp. Both to me are pretty useless and show the lack of keeping up with the times. Dont run ozone than you have very little use for orp. And ph is that redundant it's not funny.


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ssjss gogeta said:
Also a main issue not just Apex but most controllers seem to have the base set of ph and orp. Both to me are pretty useless and show the lack of keeping up with the times. Dont run ozone than you have very little use for orp. And ph is that redundant it's not funny.


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Click to expand...

Easily upgradable,Salinity probe came with my Gold Apex. There's various other moduals you can get, par, flow, dissolved oxygen to name a few. Not sure how that's behind the time or useless?
 
Controller or not???

Cheapreef said:
Easily upgradable,Salinity probe came with my Gold Apex. There's various other moduals you can get, par, flow, dissolved oxygen to name a few. Not sure how that's behind the time or useless?
Click to expand...



Again I have never had an apex so I may be wrong in my assumption but a standard comes purchase comes with ph and orp probes and modules? Just saying me personally I would prefer two more preferable probes straight off the bat and they were more predominant in older styles of reefing

Like two others standard free with purchase that would be more relevant

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ssjss gogeta said:
Again I have never had an apex so I may be wrong in my assumption but a standard comes purchase comes with ph and orp probes and modules? Just saying me personally I would prefer two more preferable probes straight off the bat and they were more predominant in older styles of reefing

Like two others standard free with purchase that would be more relevant

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Click to expand...

Like what other controller offers different stand probes? And the Apex Gold standard package came with Lab grade Salinity as well as Lab grade temp,PH, ORP
 
Cheapreef said:
Like what other controller offers different stand probes? And the Apex Gold standard package came with Lab grade Salinity as well as Lab grade temp,PH, ORP
Click to expand...



Oh same deal with all controllers. Like don't even get my started on the seneye has like 3 different light measuring systems.

But in general for me if a controller offered a better base testing I would consider it. Without having to them spend an extra few hundred for probes and modules for the things I actually wanted after already spending 1000 plus for the basic controller


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What basic controller is 1000 dollars? That is very high. You can get a basic one for around 130 if I am not mistaken. Even top of the line start at less than 600.
 
ssjss gogeta said:
Oh same deal with all controllers. Like don't even get my started on the seneye has like 3 different light measuring systems.

But in general for me if a controller offered a better base testing I would consider it. Without having to them spend an extra few hundred for probes and modules for the things I actually wanted after already spending 1000 plus for the basic controller


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Click to expand...

Not a $1000, brand new it was $750 Canadian. Got mine still in the wrapper for $325 Canadian from a guy that had to relocate.
 
b792923167f43f1f47cd3e5a4a0eef30.png



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