Do I need a controller?

[111]

I already have an ATO, light controller, and Rossmont controllable powerbeads. Other than combining all these into one interface, is there really any sense in purchasing a controller? I hear everyone say how much they like having one, but I don't see it adding much for me, other than alerts. Currently have a 120 and starting to gather equipment for a 220. Is there something I'm missing about controllers?

 

[Rick Mathew]

This is the exact same question I asked myself 2 years ago. I have a 150 Gal mixed reef. I started dosing calcium and alkalinity and over time have added other dosing elements. I found myself spending more and more time managing my tanks (I have two 29 gal quarantine tanks)...sometimes forgetting to to dose. In addition I was monitoring pH and measuring salinity...and on the story goes. The time required to do all the tasks kept mounting up...including managing all the separate controllers for all of the individual pieces of equipment....I finally took the leap and purchased a controller for my DT...I have to say it was the best decision I made concerning my tank...It cut a lot of time from my tank maintenance and made reefkeeping much easier...After the learning curve of setting the controller up and operating it I have found it to be a great tool...I now have all my tanks on controllers and am very glad I do...also the alerts are not just a nice thing to have...they have saved my butt and my tank more than once...Another thing to consider is with the investment you will have in a 220 gal tank it is great to have safety features that protect your tank...heater shut off control...leak detection...pH protection and warning and more if you wish...Well that's my take on it...

Rick

 

[111]

Thanks for the feedback Rick. I guess for me its a value of time vs money issue. It seems like even after the initial investment, theres always another $90 module needed.

 

[pickupman66]

Do you need a controller to run a successful reef tank? No. Will it make life easier? Most likely yes. I have kept reef tanks for the last 15 years or so. In the last seven I have added a controller to my system and in my opinion it brings everything into one interface for easier control and maintenance. I like the fact that I can check on my tank from my phone as well. I can also get alerts if something happens out of the ordinary. So your controller is more than just a something can manage the power supply deer devices, it also can help enable Advanced functions.

 

[billwill]

I stopped running a controller a year or so ago after having some glitches with it. I have timers for lights, ato system, and ph controller for calcium reactor. My main gripe with an all encompassing controller is that you're literally dead in the water if it if fails or even one part of it fails.

 

[Rick Mathew]

Thanks for the feedback Rick. I guess for me its a value of time vs money issue. It seems like even after the initial investment, theres always another $90 module needed.

You are absolutely correct..... I started with only the basic controller and over the last two years made adds and upgrades...some of which I got use from Ebay. It for sure is a big investment

billwill is correct....you become dependant on them and when they go bad...and they will! You are in a bad way!...I have a plan B for all the vital functions (Return, circulation, heater, ATO...etc.)...Power Strip on the ready

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Salty1962]

It depends on what you want your controller to do. If you want to be able to remotely monitor your system from one location then a controller is the way to go. If you at home all of the time and don't mind monitoring your systems functions manually then it may not be what you want. I wanted to be able to monitor and change things on my system whenever I was away. I control all major aspects of my tank with my APEX through Fusion. Whenever I go away I can change things if and when I need to. I also can get all of my systems status and function from one platform. Depending on what you want to control will dictate how many modules you'll have to add. I wouldn't have another system without one.

 

[n2585722]

Salty1962 is right. It depends on what you want to acomplish. I use the Archon on my current tank. It does control everything with exception of two MP10's. On them it does control the AC power but there is a battery backup. So if there is an issue with the controller the 2 MP10's will continue to run in the battery backup mode. This should keep the tank going until I can correct the issue. I think most of the controllers now have some kind of default setting for the outlets incase there is no communication with the brain or head unit of the system. Make use of this on critical outputs for you system. Also make sure you heaters have some kind of temp comtrol of their own as a backup to the controller. I think most controller have a way to setup emails or alerts for alarm settings. Set these up for critical parameters you are monitoring such as temperature. Just remember alway have a backup and if possible a backup for the backup, but this should apply even without a controller.