Most Reasonable Controller that will meet my needs/wants

[MTWiley]

Temp
- 2-3 x Thermometers (Redundancy in case one malfunctions) have built in re
- 2 x Sockets - 1 x Heater 1 x Chiller

PH Probe
2 x Sockets(Eventually would like to add 2 part dosing system)

Salinity
- Shut off ATO and alarm if Salinity Drops

ATO
- 2-4 x Float Valves(2 for tank, maybe 1 or 2 for the reservoir to make sure the pump doesn't run dry.)
- 1 x Socket

Lights
- 3 x Sockets - Actinics/DayLight/Moonlights.

Nice to have features:
Ability to connect to EcoTech Pumps(have 2 MP10ESWs)

Any input on which controller to go with or anything else that you think might be a good idea to have on the controller or something that I overlooked would be greatly appreciated.

 

[haikufriday]

Take a look at a Neptune Base Unit. It will come ready to go w/ 1 temperature probe and a ph probe, with one extra probe port for either ORP or a second pH. Going to need extra modules: PM1 and PM2 both can take an extra temperature probe and allow for another ph/orp probe and conductivity port. Also you'll need an IO/Breakout box to connect float switches. A WXM module will allow you to connect to your vortechs.

Check out the Neptune website (or sponsor forum here on RC) for more info. Hope this helps.

 

[anderson0196]

I would look seriously at Reef Angel - for that much control it will def be the most economical.

It may seem daunting but if you spend a little time on their forum you will see some outstanding support and a thriving community.

 

[anderson0196]

I would look seriously at Reef Angel - for that much control it will def be the most economical.

It may seem daunting but if you spend a little time on their forum you will see some outstanding support and a thriving community.

FYI - no salinity probe today (close though).... Honestly, I have not seen many good reviews on any salinity probe and would probably recommend you stick with a refractometer.....with float redundancy an over top off situation becomes very unlikely.

 

[MTWiley]

I've seen the many complaints and what I consider to be a complete lack of support from Digital Aquatics as far as their salinity probe went, but hadn't seen any reviews on a salinity probe/module for the Apex. Do you know i f any exist and where they might be so I could get a better idea of that as a potential, I originally stumbled onto the reefkeeper as the first controller i'd seen and loved the idea from the get go(it guy here so you know I love technology). But the whole disaster that they call the sl2 and the 6+months without any progress has really turned me off of them.

I haven't read a whole lot about the apex, but from what I'd seen it looked like one of the better options out there. I've briefly looked over the reef angel site. I like the fact that its open source and gives you a bit more flexibility if you want to improvise and make something work you can, but I'm not that familiar with arduinos, and I don't have a computer that has a serial port to program it, but I guess I could either resurrect an old dead computer or buy an adapter. As for the reef angel is there an eta on the salinity module? I saw the post/preorder for the vortech module but no mention of salinity except for a post in the forums saying soon which means absolutely nothing to me because I've seen development on products that were supposed to be coming out soon take years/decades or even be cancelled completely.

 

[James77]

Temp
- 2-3 x Thermometers (Redundancy in case one malfunctions) have built in re
- 2 x Sockets - 1 x Heater 1 x Chiller

PH Probe
2 x Sockets(Eventually would like to add 2 part dosing system)

Salinity
- Shut off ATO and alarm if Salinity Drops

ATO
- 2-4 x Float Valves(2 for tank, maybe 1 or 2 for the reservoir to make sure the pump doesn't run dry.)
- 1 x Socket

Lights
- 3 x Sockets - Actinics/DayLight/Moonlights.

Nice to have features:
Ability to connect to EcoTech Pumps(have 2 MP10ESWs)

Any input on which controller to go with or anything else that you think might be a good idea to have on the controller or something that I overlooked would be greatly appreciated.

I'd go for the Apex. The ReefKeeper/Digital Aquatics has poor support. They also lack the Vortech control.

I think 3 temp prbes is overkill. If you want redundancy, I would use the Apex alongside with the Ranco dedicated controller, then have the heater thermostats themselves as a last resort backup. Or get the dual stage Ranco- they are extremely reliable- to use for heat and chillers, then the Apex as a backup. The Apex gives you Ph out of box, and the PM2 will add salinity. It also has 6 switch inputs and Vortech control.

You could even do it with the Apex jr if you can go without the display. Then add a PM2 for salinity and 6 switches, the WXM module for Vortechs, and another EB4 for a totla of 8 outlets.