What controller do you use and why?

[NewfieReef]

So I am SLOWLY planning a 125 gal build. I am wondering what kind of controller to go with? So therefore I am asking what king everyone is using and why? Looking for the good/bad/ugly.

 

[milkman55]

Apex! Check out the Apex Jr coming out in June. I never use the display with the regular Apex, just the web interface and my iPad. The Apex Jr is substantially less and does not have a display, just web interface.

 

[jwoyshnar]

Can you control everything from a iphone like you could with the regular Apex?

 

[jbachert]

I had a Reefkeeper Elite and it worked fine, but once I got my Ecotech Marine Vortechs - then I got an Apex Neptune with the WXM module so I could control the Vortechs from the Neptune.

It works great.

 

[LinkinReef]

Apex here and you can control the outputs via an iphone or an android phone.

 

[dzhuo]

I use a RKL. Reasons are easy to set up, program and user friendly, it's affordable, popular with large user base and good support. It can't be control or program over an iPhone or Android but I rarely need to change anything once set up so these features aren't important to me.

 

[snorvich]

Profilux. Allows me to totally control two different LED systems and anything else my aquarium has.

 

[Fish4Me2]

I have both an Apex and an AquaController III, currently running 2 different systems. I can control both remotely with a smart phone. I travel quite a bit, and so the ability to control anything on the tank via phone is invaluable to me. They're probably the best investment I've made in my system outside of the tank itself. I also run an IP camera, so the IP camera combined with the controller brings me peace of mind when away from home.

 

[theplatypus]

I tried the RKL 18months or so back and it was pretty much worthless IMO. It just didn't work very well, sometimes the lights would come on, sometimes they wouldn't. Every now and then I would get up in the middle of the night to use the facilities and the tank lights would be on. I got so tired of reading/hearing "try resetting to factory defaults" that I scrapped it. This time around I'm going with the Apex Lite.

 

[ORayRay]

RKL, does everything I need it to do, turn on fuge, heater, ect

 

[lordofthereef]

I also use an RKL, mainly because of price (I purchase most of these things in the used forum). I have heard great things about the Apex. The only thing I wish I had was an ability to control the vortech pumps, but can certainly live without that.

The better way to answer your question is if you let us know what all you actually want to control. Apex is the most broad spectrum in terms of controlability, but the reefkeeper isn't far behind IMO - if you don't need specific controls for something like vortechs, the cheaper deal may be the reefkeeper.

 

[beckbrass]

Ac jr. It was cheap, I got it used and it works great on my 125.

 

[Snootch]

Got the Apex about a week ago. Very happy with the decision.
Programming looked overwhelming at first but after playing with it for couple of days it ALL started to make sense. With this controller you'll never have to worry if it will be able do a specific task, its more like; What's the best way to program it to do it.
I don't see myself ever outgrowing it.

 

[tozzi]

Rkl cause its 99 and works great

 

[lordofthereef]

Rkl cause its 99 and works great

I think they upped it to $120

 

[KMP]

AC Jr fan here. Most folks choose one or the other and are pleased equally. I'll be trying out the Apex Jr for my next build to further justify the expense of this smart phone

 

[NatureNerd]

AC jr here. Cheap, reliable, does all I need, can pick them up used sometimes for next to nothing.

 

[Hal]

RKL, because it's cheap and does lots of things. I started pricing out a dedicated Ranco dual heater controller and realized that an RKL was the same price.

I'll admit it takes a little practice getting used to the programming format, but after that it's a snap.