Controllers

[airvicconcre]

Hello everyone. I am very new to the marine aquarium hobby and I have a 150gallon display tank (fish only) and a 100 gallon sump right underneath it. I live in India and the availability of salt water equipments are at a minimal. I’m currently traveling in the USA and am very intrigued by controllers ie Apex, GHL and hydros. Being an amateur what do you guys think, which controller should I or should I not get for my fish only setup. Any help is appreciated. Thanking you all in advance.

 

[Idoc]

Hello everyone. I am very new to the marine aquarium hobby and I have a 150gallon display tank (fish only) and a 100 gallon sump right underneath it. I live in India and the availability of salt water equipments are at a minimal. I’m currently traveling in the USA and am very intrigued by controllers ie Apex, GHL and hydros. Being an amateur what do you guys think, which controller should I or should I not get for my fish only setup. Any help is appreciated. Thanking you all in advance.

I would look at some of the fish stores or your available online stores in India to see which controller carries replacement equipment for controllers. You don't want to purchase one where it is hard to get replacement parts or additional parts for it in India.

 

[Idoc]

BTW...I use a GHL Profilux 4 which is made in Germany.

 

[airvicconcre]

I would look at some of the fish stores or your available online stores in India to see which controller carries replacement equipment for controllers. You don't want to purchase one where it is hard to get replacement parts or additional parts for it in India.

Hello and thank you for your insight. Actually you’re right I should do that however we don’t even get controllers in India so finding replacements would be a task. I can actually order from here online and get it shipped in my country.
i am looking at GHL profilux 4 mega set. Can you tell me is it going to be too much for a fish only tank? (Corals and live rocks are banned in India)

 

[evrydayzawrkday]

This isn't exactly an emergency; you may want to remove that tag.

I personally use Apex and love it dearly. The issue you may run into is with replacement parts, they can get spendy. For example the Trident needs reagents every 1-2 months. How much would those be shipped to yourself?

Also look at supportability as well. Can you get support where you are, and at what cost?

 

[airvicconcre]

This isn't exactly an emergency; you may want to remove that tag.

I personally use Apex and love it dearly. The issue you may run into is with replacement parts, they can get spendy. For example the Trident needs reagents every 1-2 months. How much would those be shipped to yourself?

Also look at supportability as well. Can you get support where you are, and at what cost?

Sensibly you’re very much right. I’m here in the USA at the moment and the availability of such equipments are confusing me. I have bought many things which I may never use. Do you by any chance think that a controller will be useful in a fish only aquarium? If yes, which controller should I opt for?

 

[evrydayzawrkday]

Sensibly you’re very much right. I’m here in the USA at the moment and the availability of such equipments are confusing me. I have bought many things which I may never use. Do you by any chance think that a controller will be useful in a fish only aquarium? If yes, which controller should I opt for?

For a fish only system it’s a bit more tricky. In a 40G I only have two clownfish and a few coral, I find the Apex to be best.
What is your goal? What problem are you trying to solve?

 

[areefer01]

Hello everyone. I am very new to the marine aquarium hobby and I have a 150gallon display tank (fish only) and a 100 gallon sump right underneath it. I live in India and the availability of salt water equipments are at a minimal. I’m currently traveling in the USA and am very intrigued by controllers ie Apex, GHL and hydros. Being an amateur what do you guys think, which controller should I or should I not get for my fish only setup. Any help is appreciated. Thanking you all in advance.

First question you must ask is how are you going to get support or replacements. Forget everything else right now - how you get replacement parts is key as well as support.

To be honest maybe the first question before the first question is ask yourself if you need one and why. You really don't need one. They are nice to have but not a hard requirement. Many, and I mean many, successful tanks without them.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

"This isn't exactly an emergency; you may want to remove that tag."

+1

 

[airvicconcre]

For a fish only system it’s a bit more tricky. In a 40G I only have two clownfish and a few coral, I find the Apex to be best.
What is your goal? What problem are you trying to solve?

There is no problem. I’m in a phase of setting up my aquarium with the best possible options available. I will only keep a fish only aquarium. I’m relatively new to this hobby hence asked what would be needed in terms of controllers for a fish only setup.

 

[airvicconcre]

First question you must ask is how are you going to get support or replacements. Forget everything else right now - how you get replacement parts is key as well as support.

To be honest maybe the first question before the first question is ask yourself if you need one and why. You really don't need one. They are nice to have but not a hard requirement. Many, and I mean many, successful tanks without them.

Thank you for your insight. I’m very new and I’m learning. I’m in the USA now and here I can buy whatever is needed to complete my setup back home in India. Anything you would suggest for me to take back home?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

There is no problem. I’m in a phase of setting up my aquarium with the best possible options available. I will only keep a fish only aquarium. I’m relatively new to this hobby hence asked what would be needed in terms of controllers for a fish only setup.

Usually for someone new to the hobby it's best to do as much as you can without a controller to automate things. The exception is a heater controller like the Inkbird; you want some redundancy to make sure you don't overheat your tank.
Besides that and an auto top off, I'd stay away from an expensive "all in one" controller until you see exactly what it is you want to automate.

 

[airvicconcre]

"This isn't exactly an emergency; you may want to remove that tag."

+1

How can I remove the emergency tag?

 

[airvicconcre]

Usually for someone new to the hobby it's best to do as much as you can without a controller to automate things. The exception is a heater controller like the Inkbird; you want some redundancy to make sure you don't overheat your tank.
Besides that and an auto top off, I'd stay away from an expensive "all in one" controller until you see exactly what it is you want to automate.

Usually for someone new to the hobby it's best to do as much as you can without a controller to automate things. The exception is a heater controller like the Inkbird; you want some redundancy to make sure you don't overheat your tank.
Besides that and an auto top off, I'd stay away from an expensive "all in one" controller until you see exactly what it is you want to automate.

hello Erin. I live in a region where I don’t believe a heater is needed however I have a heater which is set to 75f. Actually you’re right, the more I do things manually I will learn more. The only reason I am interested in a controller is because in India we don’t get such equipments and even if we do we have to pay a big premium. I wanna buy one because in time I would like to install a controller. Can you help me which controller I should look at for a fish only setup? Thanks In advance. Any help is appreciated.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

For a full 90 gallon reef, my only "controllers" are a heater controller (Inkbird), and an auto top-off. Most pumps and powerheads come with their own controllers, and most lights can be programmed. I have cheap outlet timers for lights on my small QT.

So, I guess I'm not the best one to ask, lol.

I understand your desire to save some money, but IMO, you'll spend much more than you need to if you buy a fancy controller now.

 

[areefer01]

Thank you for your insight. I’m very new and I’m learning. I’m in the USA now and here I can buy whatever is needed to complete my setup back home in India. Anything you would suggest for me to take back home?

My concern is what happens when you get home.
What time is support open, close, how accessible.
How much is shipping if replacements are needed.

Oh - also consider power although may not be your big issue.

 

[airvicconcre]

My concern is what happens when you get home.
What time is support open, close, how accessible.
How much is shipping if replacements are needed.

Oh - also consider power although may not be your big issue.

I’ve accessed all that you’ve mentioned. It’s a bit of a task however doable.

 

[airvicconcre]

For a full 90 gallon reef, my only "controllers" are a heater controller (Inkbird), and an auto top-off. Most pumps and powerheads come with their own controllers, and most lights can be programmed. I have cheap outlet timers for lights on my small QT.

So, I guess I'm not the best one to ask, lol.

I understand your desire to save some money, but IMO, you'll spend much more than you need to if you buy a fancy controller now.

Thank you so much for your time and advise. I want to do things on my own and learn it. I have been a discus grower all these years and marine life fascinates me.

 

[Idoc]

Hello and thank you for your insight. Actually you’re right I should do that however we don’t even get controllers in India so finding replacements would be a task. I can actually order from here online and get it shipped in my country.
i am looking at GHL profilux 4 mega set. Can you tell me is it going to be too much for a fish only tank? (Corals and live rocks are banned in India)

It can be used for fish only tanks. It helps to control many aspects besides dosing and light.