Basic Controller / Monitoring What Are Options - Confused ?!?!?!

g6gang · Oct 16, 2014

I currently have basic equipment for my tank and want to have a way to continually monitor parameters (PH, Temp, whatever). I do not want to be able to control really anything (lights, pumps, etc), but may want in the future. I also don't want to spend a fortune - what are the options I have? Do I really need a "controller" to do "monitoring"? I was really thinking that the SenEye reef has what I am looking for but not sure what else is there.

Any nice summary of 'monitoring' options?

pickupman66 · Oct 16, 2014

They Seneye is just that. it is a Monitor. and from what I have read (no first hand exp) they do a decent job of it.

Now, given that, once you know what your params are, a Controller can thus take it step further. Especially when it comes to your tank temperature. For example, while the seneye can sense your tank temperature, and can show you if your heater sticks on, a controller can prevent a disaster here by killing the power to that device if a threshold is met. It can also give you a notification anywhere you are that there is an issue.

Bow · Oct 16, 2014

Lol again I would go for overkill. I was deciding between apex, reef keeper or angel. Got the apex for Christmas so decision made. But being able to have a controller notify you that something is not right and take basic steps to minimize the problem has probably saved countless $. The heater stick is a prime example. Being notified there is a problem only helps if you can fix it. But if you get that email at he start of a work day and can't get out or someone to go and try to figure out how to work your system you will just stress all day. A controller that tells you "here is the problem, I did what you told me to try to fix it till you get home" is just more piece of mind

g6gang · Oct 16, 2014

Ahhh...ok now I am starting to see why controllers are a hot topic. In my 2 years in hobby I have not had such equipment failure. Even though I work from home (literally next to my tank) there are times when I am away and would like to know this.

What would be a good 'beginners' controller then to start with without having to spend a boat load of money? Something that is easy to grow and add on and won;t get stuck "behind' in technology. I also don't mind trying the DIY route as well, but not sure if it is worth it.

Fish76 · Oct 16, 2014

I would personally look into a controller. It's such a great tool (I have an Apex) and can move with your tanks as this hobby has a tendancy for us to keep upgrading to bigger and better tanks! I personally bought mine because I was really trying to automate as much as I could since the less I need to do the better and the Apex has been a huge help in that. And as others have said, it takes it to the next level where it can automatically respond to problems with your system.

I am biased on the Apex but I did look into the Reef Angel and actually was about to pull the trigger on that one. I chose the Apex cause it was more streamlined and the interface and build quality just seemed better.

g6gang · Oct 16, 2014

So far the reef Angel has my vote: $269 and you get Temp and PH probes plus 8 power ports. And I get to write my own 'intelligence' with some simple programming language..yee haw (I like to code anyway)... Just have not figured out yet what it would take to get a history of PH readings. Does that mean I have to have a computer constantly hooked up to it and poll it every so often for a reading? I think that is the part about the controllers that have been confusing me..when i think PH probe, I think the value is seeing how PH flucuates, but I think most use of controller PH probes is - If PH is too low/high do something?? What would you want it to automatically do in that case? The whole automation of chemical balance is reeeeeallly scary to me - I don't think I will ever automate that - feel it will make me too complacent and not realise when things go off..or even worse something in the automation chain fails and it throws the whole tank off. Besides the heater scenario, I am having a hgard time thinking of sitauations where i would automate a if some condition do something else scenarios.

Bow · Oct 16, 2014

You can automate lights, chillers, fans, ato, wavemaker intensities. The options are really endless. And these days I just use my phone to turn things on and off for maintenance. Programming chemicals is scary but ou can ease into it. Start with basics and build on that.

Steven@ · Oct 16, 2014

APEX... I was on vacation and my Daughter was tank sitting... I had a power supply catch on fire and the house alarm went off and the fire department came out... My daughter put the fire out, but the Fire Captain unplugged the entire system and told me I could not get power back to the system until I came home or had a electrician come out... Once he left, I had my daughter unplug the power supply that caused the issue and then power up the APEX... I was able to turn on the entire system from my phone and make sure everything was operating normally... I was able to enjoy the rest of my vacation, I don not believe there is any other controller that would have made it possible for me to do that.

pickupman66 · Oct 16, 2014

I have been reefkeeping for over 15 years. Only in the last 4 have I had a true Controller. previously it was timers and such for lights. I dont know how I could live without my controller. FWIW, I have a Reefkeeper elite. It is nto the Apex tha tmost talk about and while it has lagged behind the times a bit lately, and had poor reviews, mine just works. Day in and Day out, it does exactly what it is supposed to. Keeps my tank at a perfect 77.5 degrees. Keeps a nice wave from my Pumps and then adds in a nutrient export mode from time to time. at the push of a button, i can kill the return pump, the Wp40s, the skimmer or all three of them. It used to control my lighting cycle until I got a light with a controller integrated in it. It lets me know my salinity, PH and temp any time any where.

Apex is the easiest to use. Reef angel is the easiest to customize and the Reefkeeper.. well. mine works well. The new Archon they are launching is supposed to be a big deal so HOpefully.. I can get picked to Beta test it.

Fish76 · Oct 16, 2014

Yeah, there's lots to automate with a controller like the Apex. Once my build is done, it will automate my lights, pumps (vortechs/return), fans (canopy, sump, electrical section), top-off, water changes, dosing, skimmate, skimmer neck cleaning....just off the top of my head :biggrin1: