Controller ?'s

NewSchool04

New member
I'm looking to get a reef controller and I have a ton of questions. My #1 reason for getting something like this is to organize my lights. I have 3 400W MH that all use three separate timers taking up a ton of space on my power strips. I have a sump light that I would like to add a timer too but no space and I have a 72" VHO strip that I'd like to add to a timer.

I have two 20 amp circuits behind the tank, so plenty of power but even with 4 outlets plugged into 4 light strips, I run out of room to plug things in. I'm also running 4 Sea Swirls with 3 Tunze 6025's and 1 SEIO 1100 and one SEIO 1500. Plugs are hard to come by and the timers take up two spaces because of their size.

A lot of the options on the controllers really don't interest me. The computer connection, temp, pH, ORP controllers, food timers, etc. I mean I guess that I would find it interesting but I have a very hard time spending as much money for a controller that I really want to time my lights.

I'm planning to get a couple of the DJ boxes to control things that don't need to be on timers, return pump, skimmer, and all the Swirls and Tunze's in the tank, my main concern is the lights and timers.

Is there a cheaper route that I can use to have all my lights on one or two strips where the strips had built in timers and were safe for 400W lights? I've seen some cheapo strips with timers built in but I've heard that they are unreliable and dangerous to boot!
 
If you dont want orp but want to mostly control lights try the Reefkeeper 2, its less expensive then some and super easy to use. Menu driven and slick looking. You will get a temperature controller and ph controller/monitor for free as well in it.
 
That's $270 for just controlling lights! Is there anything else out there that is just like the Reefkeeper but without any of the bells and whistles for just lights?!
 
RK2 or ACjr if you don't want to control everything, just a few pieces of equipment. I'd go with neptune over DA, because of the programmability, but seems like both of those (Jr or RK2) are working well for those who have them.

I'd also figure how many amps you draw, and exactly what equipment you want to control. Like AcJr can control X amount of items, as opposed to AC3 can control Y. Additional power strips can add up to the cost pretty quickly.

EDIT - saw your response above, lol. I'll leave my comments anyway. I don't think anyone regrets buying a controller though, when they do. The benefits outweigh initial cost eventually, imo.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11850526#post11850526 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by squibley2
Hey buddy,

If you want to go much cheaper and just controll your lights coral life has a set of timer controller power strips that might work for you.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...artial&Ntk=All&pc=1&N=0&Ntt=power center&Np=1

Something like that might help you out and they are much cheaper then a controller.

Absolute GARBAGE!!!!!!! If you go with something like this DO NOT get the manual dials. The electronic timer are the only ones to get if you decide to get them. I have had 2 of the manual timers take a **** on me.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11850273#post11850273 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slammer3166
Maybe you could use something like this-lol its old school,also can handle onlyup to 900watts total:D

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/slammer3166/mh175/IMG_0383.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/slammer3166/mh175/IMG_0382.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/slammer3166/mh175/IMG_0381.jpg

Wow, that looks ancient! :lol:


I didn't want to do a controller at 1st either. I didn't want to flip out the cash. I also didn't want my tank that "complex". After looking at the face of a controller and comparing to my cluster of timers, I knew things had to change.

I've tried a few different timer/power strips, but they all sucked. My digital timers burn out after a while. The mechanical ones aren't as accurate as I would like them to be. Plus, most timers are just too damn bulky.

Then the fact that I wouldn't need a chiller peaked my interest. Tanks too hot? Fan 2 on. Still too hot? light 3 off, etc... If the tank runs hot all the time, a chiller may be needed. My tank stays very stable. Sometimes it can get up there. After adding up everything that a controller replaces(digi timer@$15-20 a pop and a chiller= a few too many c-notes later), I was sold. Plus the fact that I don't have 3 power strips for all the timers on my 180 makes them that much sweeter. One unit to look at. A slick looking one at that.
 
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Pat, I think your best bet is going to be to wait a month and when the ReefKeeper Elite comes out people are going to be dumping their RK2's to get the RKE.

I'm going to get the RKE myself just because it has every bell and whistle I can think of. :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11850715#post11850715 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by badazztealcobra
Pat, I think your best bet is going to be to wait a month and when the ReefKeeper Elite comes out people are going to be dumping their RK2's to get the RKE.

I'm going to get the RKE myself just because it has every bell and whistle I can think of. :D
Good call.
 
I like to think I'm NewSchool but in the end, I always resort to OldSchool. I just know that I won't use all the bells and whistles but I will use the timers.
 
Without my aquacontroller jr I'd be lost - and it's one of the cheaper units out. I really like the temp and ph read out, and I use it as a wavemaker and it controls my light and temp.
 
I just looked at the Jr. and that seems like it would work. Couple of ?'s on it though. It say's it can control timing on up to 12 devices and 12 pumps. But it looks like it comes with an 8 plug strip. That will take care of all my light timing needs but what about everything else?

Also, all three of my 400's will be plugged into one of my 20 amp breakers. That's really no problem with pulling too much power but I have them separated now just incase one trips, at least a little light will be getting into the tank. I would think that that would be impossible with the Jr. Is that right?

So for $250.00 you get a unit that will control time on 8 different lights or pumps or whatever, and monitor Temp and pH. Is that correct or am I not looking at it right?
 
I assume the 12 would be with a DC8 and also a DC4, bringing the total to 12.

I have the DC8 and have one empty plug.

1- metal halides
2- actinics
3- heater
4- chiller
5, 6, 7 - nano streams

It looks like Premium Aquatics has it for $245, but that does not come with a pH probe.
 
Not a flashy as a controller but a heck of a lot cheaper. Menards has 1 foot 3 prong extension cords. I use them on my DJ lighting switch box to plug the bulky wall wart transformers and timers into. I can't locate a link anywhere. Their like 3 bucks each.
 
i don't think you can plug all your 3 400s into a DC8, the fuse will jump. the most it can handle is like 6 amps per plug with 15 amps total. not sure of the exact numbers though. you might have to get a DC4. DC4 is for things that require more current like MH and chillers.
 
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