Controller Questions

[johanasu]

Curious about what people would recommend in terms of controllers. Two parts to this question:

1. What are the best controllers? (functionality, features [wifi, probes], cost)

2. What are the most helpful actions of a controller? (What do they do that is difficult to do manually?)

I don't know if it matters but I have a 110g 5' tank with a 30g sump.

 

[Frick]

A couple of Fridays ago we have a demo from Neptune Systems at RC. To bad you couldn't have made that. IMO Apex are the best in everything when it comes to Aquarium Controllers.

 

[johanasu]

Yeah I remember seeing that, unfortunately my weekends tend to fill up pretty fast. What is the rationale for spending a significant amount of money on a controller?

 

[evolved]

1. I won't even begin to touch this debatable arena. The most popular ones on the market are Digital Aquatics Reef Keeper, Neptune Systems Apex, and the Reef Angel. All of them are different, and one will suit you better than the others.

2. Nothing you can't do manually or with other pieces of equipment, but some of the things it can do on its own:
Monitor your temp, pH, salinity, ORP, O2
Control the outlets your equipment is plugged into - things like heater, skimmer, return pump, power heads, lighting, top off pump, etc
Dosing can be automated, or pH control can be used on a calcium reactor (eliminating the need for a separate CO2 monitor).
But the biggest thing: piece of mind. It can alert you to problems while you're away from the tank. It can quickly became a very cheap insurance policy when you have a lot invested into a system.

I will never have another system without one.

 

[mannysmusic]

I love my Apex Controller.

 

[Stolireef]

A controller is not a 'necessity' but it can make your life considerably easier if you are willing to invest the time in the setup. You also have to think about your equipment purchases to ensure that they work and play well with the controller you select. Generally, the bigger name manufacturers get along with Apex, Reef Keeper and from what I've heard, the Reef Angel.

I only have experience with the Apex and despite being a reasonably hard core computer geek, I have found the programming a bit challenging. That said, it does a really nice job controlling lights and pumps and providing real time feedback about pH and temperature.

I went years without one and added it about six months ago. At this point, I probably wouldn't run anything other than a really small tank without a controller. I would again stress though that the more time and effort you put into the setup, the more you will get out of the controller. I'm lazy so I haven't invested the serious time needed to do a comprehensive setup. I would almost consider the use of a controller as a 'life style' choice. It's not necessary but it can make life easier.

My experience with Neptune (maker of Apex) has been stellar and I have heard mixed reviews of RKL. Proffilux also has a great reputation.

 

[cal_stir]

I started with a reefkeeper lite then got a reefkeeper Elite then got an Apex,the reefkeeper is a good controller and is easy to work with, I never used the net module though, it has some features I miss like being able to see what your ramp % is at, but I think Apex has a better web base and dashboard, for a basic controller that is easy to use I say reefkeeper, if you want more hard core and don't mind programming then Apex, don't know much about reef angel

 

[johanasu]

Thanks for the feedback guys, something to consider for my personal tank and for a possible display tank at our school next year.