Controllers worth it for 75 reef no reactor?

[malawinovice]

I am upgrading to 75 reef from 40 breeder.

Currently using coralife dual timer for the lights.

Is it worth it to get reefkeeper lite or aquacontroller jr?

Any experiences?

How nice is feed timer?

 

[Reefbox]

I can tell you this. After you use an AC jr you will wonder how you managed without one. Automation is efficient.

The controller can give you stable water temps easily and so much more.

 

[Logzor]

Because the technology is so simply, using code, it will always be useful until you have an extremely large tank or want more features. You can not really out-date code as it is the base and can be modified however you want it.

Normally I would not buy a piece of technology that could soon be obsolete but this unit seems like it will always have a purpose on my reef.

I would go for the ACjr. I have one on my 90g and it keeps my temp stable and all of my timers taken care of. Not to mention, it can keep my heater from burning up my tank if it malfunctions.

It can also be great for dosing limewater and stuff like that if you have thing set up for it.

I plan to get the wavemaker for it sometime soon. It has tons of other features though.

You can find them for a good deal at premiumaquatics

 

[malawinovice]

How do you mount these?
Any one mounting on door or front?

 

[moonyguy]

I have an AC3 for my tank and I really like it. It helps me monitor my tank when I am away.

 

[kretzkiller]

I thought I didn't need a controller, now that i have it I don't know how I got by without it.

 

[Tonynlo]

I have read about the AquaControllers. I am a little confused as to what they do. Sorry for the idiot question, but I would just like to know what the benefits are of using one and what levels they measure. Thanks!

 

[Reefer2727]

Im with you Tony. I will be following this thread as I have been looking at them recently.

The one thing that scared me a little was the probes. And the pain of calibration and what not. Perhaps they are easier than I think.

 

[Toddrtrex]

All 3 of my tanks (( 75, 58, and 33 cube )) have controllers (( Reefkeeper 1 and 2 )), and I couldn't imagine running my tanks without them. I do not have a Cal reactor.

 

[THE ROOK]

Things my AC jr controls:

-All lighting timers. (MH, Actnics, Moons & fuge)
-Heater control within .5 degree
-MH lights off if temp over 82*
-Fans on if over 80*
-Monitors PH & can turn off Lime water if too high. ( don't use at the moment.
-Feed control - turns off return pump while feeding & resets automatically

That's alot of features for about $250.00

You will still need one or two surge protectors for powerheads, ato, skimmer, etc. American DJ 8 switch units are pretty nice for that.

 

[Tonynlo]

So does the Jr have multiple outlets or does this hook up to an outlet. I just purchased a coralife light timer that I was pretty impressed with. If this is better, then I would definately upgrade.

 

[Reefer2727]

Wow Rook.

Sounds unreal. Who makes the Jr?

 

[maxheadroom]

they're made by Neptune. Here's their website:

http://neptunesys.com/


My AC Jr is prob the best thing I've gotten for my tank. I plan on getting the AC3 Pro for my big tank and put the AC Jr on the BioCube.

 

[Reefer2727]

Where do you mount them? Do you just use the Jr or do you use another strip?

 

[saltwater4life1]

I've been looking at getting one myself and to help with your last two questions. 1. i believe they have holes to screw them into a wall,stand or canopy. 2. You would use the controller outlets for stuff you want to control like lights,return pump,heater, fans and stuff. You would want another stripe or two for stuff you don't need to control like your power heads and skimmer like they said above although if you wanted they sell add on outlets although not cheap but if you wanted to control every single item in your tank you could. Then again i think you can only control so many things with each controller.

 

[THE ROOK]

The AC jr comes with a heavy duty 8 plug power strip. It can handle an addt'l 4 plug strip that's purchased separately.

As I mentioned earlier, you'll still need another power strip as 8 outlets goes pretty quick. Lights, heater & return pump would be the priorities. I still actually have 2-3 outlets unused.

There is an serial port option for a few dollars more. It allows you to set it up from your home computer. It will also add to resale value as most want that. I scored mine used so I don't have that option.

 

[saltwater4life1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14786511#post14786511 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by THE ROOK
There is an serial port option for a few dollars more. It allows you to set it up from your home computer. It will also add to resale value as most want that. I scored mine used so I don't have that option.

Wait so the serial port doesn't come with everyone? Or do you mean the cable?

 

[malawinovice]

any mount these on the outside of stand and run wires inside?


pics

 

[saltwater4life1]

I think everyone wires them inside for that clean look.

 

[maxheadroom]

my powerstrip is inside the stand and the controller is on the wall beside the tank