Aquarium Controllers

Please don't let my comments here discourage you from using a controller or stifle feedback regarding the advantages, but after 23 years, almost 50 of my own tanks, 3 coral farms and 100's of maintenance accounts(many with controllers), I still have no need for controllers. 

Edited by Mark Peterson - January 25 2016 at 5:22am

I have Apex's and love them. Could I do everything that it does in other ways? Yes. Do I love the fact that I can check on my system from anywhere? Absolutely! Do I love that I can even turn things on and off remotely? You bet your sweet... Do I love that I can see the tank via a web cam to check on it whenever I want? Sure do. Do I have redundant designs and systems in place just in case the controller has a melt down? You better believe it.

Short answer is I love it and wouldn't setup another tank without one.

Long answer is that you can plan your system to work in any scenario with just a little extra work. I am gone quite a bit and I need to know that my system is running correctly and that I will get alerts if something is out of the norm. No friend can give me that when I'm not there.

My lights are controlled (dimmed via my controller) as well on off. Appliance timers only last a couple of years and then start sticking on or off.
Just as pH is related to Alkalinity, the opposite can be true as well. The key is continuous monitoring to detect values outside of the norm. It doesn't really matter what the actual pH numbers are so much as whether that values fluctuate outside of the historical norm. A controller can detect that and alert the owner. A test kit can't nor do the test kit result show accuracy unless the measurement is done at the same time of the day each time as Alk and pH fluctuate during a 24 hour period.
System is designed to be self sustaining in the case of a power outage as well as keep enough systems online long enough to notify me that the power is off and the backup systems have been switched on.
System designed to to run for days without attention. Although lets get real, what's the point of having a tank if we aren't looking at it or doing something with it?
Heater is correct sized with it's own temperature controller set 2 degrees higher than the normal tank temperature. This not only prevents crashing the tank but the controller can alert you to a stuck outlet as the temp will go 2 degrees above normal with out causing tank issues.

In the end it's all about what you plan to do with your system and how you want to spend your time with your system. Some of us are techies and it just makes sense to have technology involved in our reefs. Others choose to do it other ways and monitor or act on issues as they arise. Both ways work, one is more expensive than the other, but one lets me be in control of my tank whenever I want to be. Krazie


Edited by Krazie4Acans - January 25 2016 at 8:53am

Don't listen to Mark, that's crazy talk - get a controller

APEX is considered the 'gold standard' today. It is a bit pricey, but one of the most comprehensive and 'user-friendly' controllers out there.

Personally, I have a Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper Elite - which I like. But, I upgraded from a Reefkeeper Lite - and so was able to reuse many components to keep the cost down.

However, if I was starting from scratch I would have went for the APEX.

I get the fun of playing with tech, but a controller is something I just haven't been able to justify to myself. It seems like half the programs I find for them are creative lighting and pump controls. Which, are an interesting side benefit, but hardly a reason to drop that kind of money on it. The only thing I've found that might be handy is running logs of various parameters, but even that doesn't really make it worth it to me. 

Love my Apex and the ability to monitor and troubleshoot remotely. Have had 2 cases where the Apex saved the day.....

I use it to babysit the tank when I'm on business travel.