Auto controller

JPUA · Jun 7, 2013

Considering one like the Reef Keeper Lite. What are y'all's thoughts on controllers? Looking to add mine to 30 gallon reef tank. What do y'all have them setup to do and what brands/models do y'all recommend?

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SeymourDuncan · Jun 7, 2013

My peeps love the Neptune system. And I can get online and switch on their lights while they are watching TV If they ask me too many dumb questions that day.

JPUA · Jun 7, 2013

Ha!

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SeymourDuncan · Jun 7, 2013

(Example of the texts I receive)

Citizen x: "My aquarium thermometer says it is 113*. Should i turn off my heater? My fish are floating."

Me: "You should probably sell your aquarium."

Citizen x: "Why? Is it broken?"

Me: "No...but there is something wrong with you."

Citizen x: "Oh."

JPUA · Jun 7, 2013

Lol

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SeymourDuncan · Jun 7, 2013

But yeah...unless you want something that can pulse the pumps rather than on/off I think the Neptune is great. And way to expandable. You can hook up thousands of extensions. And if you have an extra plug you can run it to any other thing you want.

For example:
You plug lights, powerheads, doser, and heater to the think and you have 2 extra plugs.
Run one to a light so people think someone's home. Make it turn on and off randomly. Or stick one on your tv to wake you up in the morning for cartoons.

Possibilities are endless really.

cdness · Jun 7, 2013

SeymourDuncan said:
(Example of the texts I receive)

Citizen x: "My aquarium thermometer says it is 113*. Should i turn off my heater? My fish are floating."
Me: "You should probably sell your aquarium."
Citizen x: "Why? Is it broken?"
Me: "No...but there is something wrong with you."
Citizen x: "Oh."

This just proves my point of there are no stupid questions, only stupid people...

I personally love my Neptune Systems APEX controller. It is web accessible and easy to program. Loads of features and flexibility.

With that said though, the Reef Angel is surely coming out with some cool features lately. If I didn't already have a controller I would highly consider the Reef Angel as well.

JPUA · Jun 7, 2013

I just have the basics, light, heater, pump and skimmer. Would it be worth it?

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SeymourDuncan · Jun 7, 2013

You would probably not really need it unless you have a need for extreme stability, which would require much more than just the controller.

Now the test probes are awesome. You can find aquarium monitors that tell you constant parameters that can assist your maintenance. Some even give you a timeline. If you don't like testing the water this may be a good investment.

JPUA · Jun 7, 2013

What would you suggest that monitors my tank parameters?

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SeymourDuncan · Jun 7, 2013

I have heard good things with the Lifeguard and one called the Seneye.
I don't use them because I just haven't bought one yet. Best thing to do is check the reviews an specs. Which ever one looks like it suits you best. There are of course different models that show you more or less. Some tanks you don't need ever param.

I would say if you have over $600 in livestock then the investment is usually worth it.

JPUA · Jun 7, 2013

Dang. I'll check into them. Thanks for the feedback.

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SeymourDuncan · Jun 7, 2013

No problem. I'm sure there will be more from people who own them as well.

JPUA · Jun 7, 2013

Dang, you have to pay a fee to use seneye service. Lame

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SeymourDuncan · Jun 7, 2013

Yeah that low purchase cost tricks ya haha

o2manyfish · Jun 7, 2013

I have had my Apex for over a year now. It monitors tank temp, ph, ORP, Salinity, Kalk ph and Calc RX ph. The added stability of knowing when a parameter starts to sway out of line is great. Not only does it control most of the aspects of my tank, but more importantly it lets me know that everything is okay.

Dave B

JPUA · Jun 7, 2013

What model?

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Sacohen · Jun 7, 2013

I have no experience with the Reef Keeper or Apex, but I'm using a Reef Angel.
It is open source which means you can change anything you want by going into the program code.
It sounds complicated, but there is a whole forum of people at Reef Angel willing to help you creat and modify the code.

For example I wanted to control my NatuReef de-nitrification chamber with the Reef Angel.
Port 5 needs to come on for 20 min.
When that is done Port 8 needs to come on for 20min.
I need to do this 4 times a day at 1am, 7am 1pm and 7pm (with the ability to add more cycles in the future)

While all this is happening (or at least the first 20min when the pump in the sump is exchanging water) I want to disable the Water Level Expansion (Port6) from coming on and adding water to the sump.

It took some time, but we got it figured out and working fine.