Help in choosing a controller

[robbyg]

First thing that popped up-

Aquatronica Aquarium Controller Unit Kit Deluxe HY02739 @ Fish Tanks Direct

Aquatronica HY02739 In-Stock Now. Buy Your Aquatronica Aquarium Controller Unit Kit Deluxe Direct and Save. Free Shipping on Orders Over $75. Tax-Free.

www.fishtanksdirect.com

They must still have stock left that they got from the previous North American distributor. Thats great news if your trying to save money and want that model. The ACQ-115 / ACQ-110 is rock solid and will never crash or give problems over years and years of use but it lacks a few features of the Newer "Touch Screen" model ACQ-140. For one thing with the ACQ-110 you will need to buy a separate Web Interface Module for it (included in that $699 package) and use a non SSL email server for sending notifications (I have instructions for setting that up).

The $150 shipping cost for the Touch screen model from Italy is really not a bad price when you consider how big and heavy the box is.

 

[robbyg]

@Claire88 I think @saf1 gave you some good advice. If there is one thing I would add it is that reliability trumps everything else! If your someone who is retired or works from home or has family members that will be around and know how things operate then reliability is not 100% critical, only 99% critical . If on the other hand you travel every now and then and may have to leave the tank for several days on auto pilot then make sure whatever you choose has a very good track record for not having any kind of known issues.

 

[vangvace]

Ok, so now let us talk about automated testing. Two on the market today. Oh, wait. Three. Trident from Neptune, Alktronic, and Reef Bot. Trident tests Ca, Mg, and Alk. Alktronic does Alk, and Reefbot, well, tests whatever kits it supports. If you want to do automated testing today those are your choices. Revert back to your requirement list and this may lead you to a specific controller. Take the Trident - only works with Neptune products. So if you invest in the Apex and later want to test Ca, Mg, and Alk - it would save you money in the longer run because you already have a controller that supports it and then add the trident when you want. If you want you can also do that with GHL but their automated solution isn't available today.

Great advice, but point of order. GHL's KH Director has been on the market for a few years. Their next automated testing product has a tbd timeframe on it though.

 

[User1]

Great advice, but point of order. GHL's KH Director has been on the market for a few years. Their next automated testing product has a tbd timeframe on it though.

Thank you for clarification and product.

I think I put the alktronic and in my mind assumed it was GHL - not intentional so thanks for mentioned the director.