Controller Recommendations

PhilipOSU

PhilipOSU

New member
I am not a member of C-Sea yet because I live in Canton, and I am still evaluating my ability to get to Cleveland for the meetings with my work travel schedule. However, I am currently doing some research into the purchase of a controller. I want something that will be flexible and expandable as I am slowly planing the build of a house around 2 large aquariums one of these will be a reef. I have been looking at several different controllers and wondered what others were using and what they liked or didn't like about them.

Thanks,
Phil
 
I take it you'll never dealt with there Customer service :) or service replaced with rudeness

Issues with mine
Doesn't keep time from day one
Doesn't read ph reading correctly.
Random turn ons
Failed to turn off a mh and to turn on the fan

I was told to charge a new head unit, 100 bucks and to mail the old one back in. It was less then a month and they have there 30 day money back thing which they didn't want to honor. After the way things went down with them I wouldn't trust sending them in another 100.00 bucks

It was my bad on buying the cheaper unit. I should no by now nothing cheap in this hobby is worth it. Spend a few extra bucks and get the better unit.
 
www.aquariumcontrollers.com

Pretty much has a straightforward "just the facts" approach.

I went with AquaControllerJr but will probably be upgrading to the AC3 soon unless the RK Elite has something more to offer.

Good Luck!
-- Kevin
 
I had the RK2 and it worked good until it blew the fues and it was like I killed someone when I called there customer service I got the 3rd degree about what I had pluged in and what did I do wrong because it should not blow the fues with the setup I have so after getting it repaired I slod it and bought a AC3 just another case where bad customer service costing a company money It does not take any effort to be nice on the phone when dealing with someone that spent a few hunderd dollers on your product
 
The ACJr is a very solid unit and far more powerful than the RK2. Sure, it has a bit more of a learning curve, but what about this hobby is easy? If you're looking for a cheaper unit with tons of expandability, the ACJr is the best. If you're looking for a mid-range unit, I would go with the ACIII. They recently reduced the price of the ACIII to $280, that is without a controllable powerstrip (which is $145 for an 8 plug unit). It has much more expandability and the ability to be controlled via the internet, but I don't think most people need that much in terms of control.
 
Customer service at DA was great for me. Screens went dim on both units and they were replaced no problem. What you need to do is figure out what you need the unit to do and then goto the site itzme suggested and then match up what you need with what unit gets it done.
 
Wow, two bad units and you still buy again. Not me. Your also the first I've heard that had good service from them. Oh well, at least your happy with your choice. I'm not I seem to have bad luck with fish tank purchases all around though.
Erik
 
The Aquacontroller lines also have had their share of problems, but Neptune customer service seems to be quite good.

There are other good controller lines out there. I've heard great things about Profilux and Aquatronica, but both these are rather pricey.
 
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I have been looking at the RK Elite, AC3 Pro, and am intrigued by what this Elos unit does (I'm not real sure yet but it is super expensive). The RK service or lack there of is a very good thing to know because the preorder package looks like a pretty good deal for 500 bucks. However, their website is pretty vague on when this unit will be shipping and also when key components that bring it up to the level of the AC3 Pro will make it to market. I think the AC3 Pro is what I am going to go with. I also want to look into the Elos and Aquatronica systems. I hear both of them can provide SMS alerts and take controls via SMS messages. The poor service from RK will definitely keep me from pre-ordering the new RKE unit.
 
I was leaning toward the Jr. but for the price of the ACIII, that looks to be a good deal.
Anyone else looking for a controller...That would be nice to get a few together and get a discount.......Lets research PhillipOSU....,.
 
ACIII/ Pro has my vote. I have been using one on my tank with no problems. I had questions about AquaNotes and Kurt at AC was very good about answering all my questions. Good product and good service.
 
I just read through the RKE capabilities. It seems like a pretty cool system, but the ACIII Pro beats it out. The only edge it has is that it can control 250 outlets, but who in the world needs that many? The ACIII Pro can control 30 devices (in other words it supports 30 different timer names). That might seem kinda limited, but I've thought long about it and I honestly can't think of needing more than that. I got along quite well with the ACJr's 12 device limit. I think that is basically the only thing the RKE proposes it can do that the ACIII Pro can't. There are a number of things the ACIII Pro can do that the RKE cannot, such as control Tunzes and monitor/control salinity.
 
Just check out Premium Aquatics. Salty Critter also has the ACIII at the reduced price, except a little more expensive than PA. The ACIII Pro is also reduced ($470). These are the permanent new prices.

As far as the Elos controller goes, I would really like to know what it does that warrants such a ridiculous price. Nothing in their list of features wows me to the point of looking past the price.
 
I used to be a steadfast supporter of the RK2. However, I am not entirely sure that my last tank crash wasn't due to faulty pH readings which resulted from bugs in the firmware. Other than that, and again, I can't be sure, its worked for me. However, I think next time 'round, I will be going a different route.
 
Aninjaatemyshoe, I think a major attraction to the Elos is that the code is open source, which in my experience is to computer programmers like chocolate is to women.

Part of what I am looking for is a fully expandable controller that can adapt to new technology along the way. I think that is part of what has me interested in the aquatronica controller.
 
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