Can somone explain controllers to me?

[Cunning_plan]

I appreciate this is likely a stupid question... I have had a read around of the products out there and I don't really get the point. Sure the auto-testing => auto-dosing setup looks incredibly useful but short of that I kind of struggle to see the use case...

Is this just one of those things that becomes critical with large tanks and SPS or is this something the average reefer would gain something from if they had money to burn?

 

[richarddeweerd]

The number 1 use for a controller in my opinion is not controlling but constant monitoring. Either monitoring temperature and PH and so on, but also monitoring power consumption of pumps (sign of blockage), flow and leakages.

I don't care of exact values, for example if my PH goes from 8.1 to 8.2, but if it jumps up or down it means that something has changed in the tank. Or for example the ORP goes through the roof because someone put too much food in it.

I think that a good experienced eye can see a lot and can prevent a lot of problems, but a helping hand from a monitoring system is in my opinion always welcome.

 

[elysics]

Let's take the simplest example: Temperature. If it get's too low or too high for whatever reason, i get an email an can take immediate action. Like remotely switching fans and heaters while i am on holiday on the other side of the world until i can call someone to check on the tank. If the controller hasn't done that automatically already for me.

Same thing for too much or too little top off water.

Another thing is automization. Hitting a button on my phone or a physical one instead of ripping out cables and remembering to put them back in later.

Monitoring anything over time and giving you nice graphs. A controller can test every day, every hour if you want, at exactly the same time. You can do that yourself too like you are supposed to, but will you always do that? Probably not.

 

[Cunning_plan]

Ok, so if I'm getting this right, it's an insurance mechanism against faults / issues with the ability to expand into things like automated testing, dosing etc. That makes a lot more sense, thanks.

 

[ReefRondo]

If possible try and get a look at somebody else's setup and get them to run through how they use it. I was sceptical about the Apex to begin with but after seeing one in action and how much easier it could make my life and more importantly how much more stable it can make my tank I was sold. I now run 3 and would not be without one on a tank of any great value.