Does every reefer need a controller?

[picassotrigger1]

I have a nano that I have most tests for except pH. I also don't have a thermometer to monitor temp. I am not planning on controlling lighting and pumps. I would however like to control the heater possibly.

Do I need something like an AC Jr. or just get a pH monitor? I don't really need a DC8 because I can't see myself using one...if I need to control something I'd get an X10. So what are yalls opinions?

Oh and I'm not using a calc reactor of any sort, I am manually dosing 2 part. So I don't need to control a reactor

Thanks

 

[driftin]

Definitely don't need a controller. If you just want to control a heater, you can get a single-stage controller like a Ranco. You can get stand-alone pH monitors if you just want to check the pH and not control anything with it, or for less accuracy get a test kit.

 

[jwalters103]

you dont need one, but they can make life easier and help streamline things a bit

 

[what'scoral]

if you check the selling forum you can get a Acjr with pH probe and DC-8 for like $215

pH setup are around $100

personally I would go with the controller they make life easy.

 

[maypo59]

Generally speaking, you don't need MOST of what you have.. but a controller, like many other things, allows you more time to view and less time to maintain..

 

[picassotrigger1]

Thanks!

 

[ZoaFan08]

Honestly the thousands of dollars you put into yoru tank in fish, coral, etc save $200 and get a controller. I have no fancy equipment except a controller and I would never even think about buying a tank again without one. I have had heaters fail and that alone is why I have a controller.

 

[DaveMorris]

RKL from Digital Aquatics for $149. Neptune sells them close to that. You can find used RK2's, ACjr's, etc. for the same money. My opinion is to look at what you have put into your tank and figure out if a couple hundred bucks is worth it to keep that overall investment happy and healthy.