Controller that does everything

[Saaqib_Ansari]

Is there a controller which can check you’re parameters like ammonia nitrates alkalinity mag/cal?

 

[jda]

There are none that can do everything. Some can do the basics. Search around and browse through the controller forum.

Once you find one that can do some stuff, then decide if you want to trust it to do things more than just alert. There are also none that are perfect.

 

[ScottB]

What you are describing is less of a controller, and more of an automated water testing machine.

reef kinetics reefbot makes something like what you are talking about. Neptune Trident can test ALK, Ca and Mg but I think that is it.

Before spending that kind of money on automated testing, I would encourage you to get a proper controller first. Neptune APEX was my choice, but Profilux is also popular.

I will share one more opinion on testing, in order of importance and frequency. (i welcome comments to the contrary; always open to hearing informed opinions!)

Daily or every other day: Salinity,Temp,Alkalinity
At least weekly: NO3, PO4
At least quarterly: Mg, Ca, I, K, other
Once/twice a year: ICP (ATI or Triton)
(Unless fish are dying) Never after cycle is complete: Ammonia, Nitrite

 

[Saaqib_Ansari]

What you are describing is less of a controller, and more of an automated water testing machine.

reef kinetics reefbot makes something like what you are talking about. Neptune Trident can test ALK, Ca and Mg but I think that is it.

Before spending that kind of money on automated testing, I would encourage you to get a proper controller first. Neptune APEX was my choice, but Profilux is also popular.

I will share one more opinion on testing, in order of importance and frequency. (i welcome comments to the contrary; always open to hearing informed opinions!)

Daily or every other day: Salinity,Temp,Alkalinity
At least weekly: NO3, PO4
At least quarterly: Mg, Ca, I, K, other
Once/twice a year: ICP (ATI or Triton)
(Unless fish are dying) Never after cycle is complete: Ammonia, Nitrite

Man I’m doing everything wrong I don’t even want to say what I test and how often

 

[Cell]

Personally, I'd rather have automated testing than a controller. But I don't travel much and find testing to be an absolute chore.

 

[ScottB]

Man I’m doing everything wrong I don’t even want to say what I test and how often

Nah man, no worries. You have a lot of company. Besides, priorities can be different depending on the animals in your system, and whatever change is taking place.

My systems are established, large, and SPS dominant. If you were running an overstocked fish only system for example, you would monitor a different set of parameters (including nitrites and ammonia even) and care less about the other stuff.