how to choose an Aquarium controller

surfn · Aug 17, 2007

this is a great chart for anyone looking to buy some sort of aquarium controller

it lists all the available controllers on the market, and compares their functionality.

http://www.tankblog.com/temp/controllers.xls

**its an excel sheet, so you need to have microsoft excel program to open it.

**if the link does not work, let me know and i can host it.

EDIT:
OK, for those that are only interested in comparing the ACJr, AC3, and RK2......I copied everything into a new excell sheet located here.....please contact me if this link ever becomes dead.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/ayoung/Pictures/Aquariums/controlers3.xls

ficklefins · Aug 17, 2007

surfn said:
this is a great chart for anyone looking to buy some sort of aquarium controller

it lists all the available controllers on the market, and compares their functionality.

http://www.tankblog.com/temp/controllers.xls

**its an excel sheet, so you need to have microsoft excel program to open it.

**if the link does not work, let me know and i can host it.

Al,

I was actually in the market for a controller and this is exactly what I needed. It gives me good background on what I shoud look for. Thanks

FateX8 · Aug 17, 2007

thanks for the link
i didnt even know there were this many controllers to even choose from
now i cant wait to get back into this!
having to grow up sux

surfn · Aug 17, 2007

i have an AC Jr....which is completely awesome.

it is a little intimidating at first, and the menu is kinda confusing and takes a while to learn, as well as the basic programing language........i dont rely on that X10 crap though. i just got the DC8 powerstrip and have everything hard wired.

the only reason i can see why some people would rather have the reefkeeper 2, is its more user friendly. but it just can't compare to the JR's functionality.

when i get the money i'll prob sell my ACJr, and upgrade to the AC3 so i can get web support. and the new AC's are black, with a cool purple display.

btw.......the file is a "read only", does anyone know how to "undo" that so you can go into the table and delete columns of stuff you aren't interested in? its kinda hard to cross compare some of them since you have to scroll across to compare.

fishes2889 · Aug 17, 2007

great stuff Al. You have to have the password to unlock the "read only"

surfn · Aug 17, 2007

OK, for those that are only interested in comparing the ACJr, AC3, and RK2......I copied everything into a new excell sheet located here.....please contact me if this link ever becomes dead.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/ayoung/Pictures/Aquariums/controlers3.xls

surfn · Aug 18, 2007

there is also some big talk about neptune aquacontrollers being capatable with controllability of tunze pumps. i'm not exactly sure how this works....so maybe someone can explain it to me.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1035647&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

so does this "device", completely replace the need for a tunze multicontroller? or is it just an interface to the tunze multicontroller?

VanHalen · Aug 24, 2007

Great work!..There are some features listed for the RK2 that are incorrect though. The capability to program the unit from a pc and emailing alerts is now possible

You might want to double check those facts but that was actually told to me via a representative of DA.

surfn · Aug 24, 2007

i didnt come up with the info, i got it from someone who posted it on RC

so i dont know any specifics about any of the equipment other than the ACJr, which i own.

J. Montgomery · Aug 24, 2007

I'll give another shout out for the AC Jr.! I've been using one for aout 8 months now, I can't imagine keeping a reef tank without a controller now.

BigBadZoaDaddy · Sep 4, 2007

I thought ya'll would love this ......

"Aquarium controllers are like girlfriends.. the one that does "more" is usually the ugly one."

sig to another reefer!!

NeveSSL · Oct 31, 2007

There's also a website dedicated to aquarium controllers. Oddly enough, its called AquariumControllers.com.

Great info there and some reviews as well.

(edit) I was personally going to buy an AC Jr. (does the most for the least amount of cash, in my opinion), but a local guy had an Aquatronica for sale for the same price as a new AC Jr., so I grabbed it instead... VERY versatile and they are always updating it and coming out with new accessories... plus it can control (technically) up to 200 and something tanks, I believe.

Power bars are more expensive than the Neptunes, though, but its extremely flexible and a great deal if you can find one used. Quite honestly, though, I'm not 100% sure I would have bought one new.

Oh, and there's also some AMAZING software a guy just wrote for it called "AquaStats" that charts just about everything on the controller... very cool stuff. He is even working on an "electricity calc" for it and keeps up with what runs for how long on your tank.

Its very useful for seeing if your heater and chiller may be fighting each other because they're not setup very well and adjusting for seasons and all kinds of stuff. Very cool stuff!

Brandon

Hypertek99 · Nov 1, 2007

Good info. Thanks

AZDesertRat · Jul 13, 2009

Any plans to update the spreadsheet with newer controllers like the Reefkeeper Lite L1, 2 and 3 series and the Reefkeeper Elite?

NeveSSL · Jul 13, 2009

I'm not sure... I would hope so, especially being a new RKE convert.

Brandon

Harry_Y · Oct 25, 2009

I view a controller as a tool to help me maintain my aquarium.

A controller is Not 100% necessary but it does make
the task of maintaining an aquarium a bit easier.

Realize that a controller is a bit of a two edged sword; It can be a
single point of failure, over using separate timers, wave makers, etc.

As for choosing a controller I would:

1. Make a list of your real needs and wants in a controller.
... (A real feature is better than a fun feature that you don't use)

2. Read the manuals of any controller you consider buying.
... (Can it do what you need it to do?)

3. Call the companies tech support Phone # and ask questions.
... (See how you are treated before the sale)

4. Read the tech support forums of the controller.
... (See how the online support is as well)

5. Try to find someone local to let you see it in real life.

6. Add up how much it’s going to cost, and how much the accessories cost.

7. Stick to a more popular controller i.e.: RKE, Neptune.
... (Easier to get help, accessories typically cost less and are easier to find)

I did a lot of research and for me the best controller was the ReefKeeper Elite.

.

Paul_N · Dec 6, 2009

surfn said:
OK, for those that are only interested in comparing the ACJr, AC3, and RK2......I copied everything into a new excell sheet located here.....please contact me if this link ever becomes dead.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/ayoung/Pictures/Aquariums/controlers3.xls

says not found

Braves Fan · Feb 1, 2010

Aquarium Controllers: Home

LegoZ81 · Feb 11, 2010

Harry_Y said:
Realize that a controller is a bit of a two edged sword; It can be a
single point of failure, over using separate timers, wave makers, etc.

This is why I use the RK2 for the main pumps circ pumps, and 2 heaters on one circuit.
I use the ACJr for the lights and another heater on a different circuit.
The Vortech's and the wavbox on a third circuit.
I had popped breakers before due to a power outage and the 750w of halides and the vhos all kicking on at once. this downed the WHOLE tank. not good.

2 of the circuits are dedicated for the tank, currently the third is not it is shared with the rest of the room the tank is in and my bedroom, but this will be changed in the near future.