Looking for a reef controller but not a WTB

[ileas12:]

What reef controllers are there? I know apex and reefkeeper but all i want is something that can turn my lights on and off for me and when the temp in my tank gets too hot then shut my heaters off and on. Id also like it to have wifi so i can see it from my phone

 

[Silver14SS]

GHL, eKoral, and AquaMutant are other ones I've seen on this forum. All should be able to be used as timers and heater controls.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Apex
Reefkeeper (now discontinued)
GHL
ReefPi
ReefAngel
eKoral

 

[Bayareareefer18]

What reef controllers are there? I know apex and reefkeeper but all i want is something that can turn my lights on and off for me and when the temp in my tank gets too hot then shut my heaters off and on.

If all you need is lighting schedules and temp control then no need for automation

For temp there are many options for heater controllers. I've always had good results with inkbird.

For lights just grab yourself a wifi switch. Personally I have always liked the wemo minis. Wemo are also compatible with Alexa

 

[ileas12:]

GHL, eKoral, and AquaMutant are other ones I've seen on this forum. All should be able to be used as timers and heater controls.

Do those other ones have wifi?

 

[Silver14SS]

Do those other ones have wifi?

Yes, there's a lot of information about each product in their respective sponsor forums.

 

[road_runner]

Ghl is the best in the market now in my openion and recent experince

 

[ileas12:]

Ghl is the best in the market now in my openion and recent experince

I'm 16 so price is an issue so cheaper is preferred

 

[deadhead_45yrs]

Cheap is my middle name. This will get you by till you are ready to spend a grand on Neptune's stuff....

https://www.amazon.com/TECKIN-Multi...&pd_rd_r=1a23cd0a-1751-4320-ad25-2138d1d9e235

https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Elec...1736437&s=hi&sprefix=inkbird,tools,179&sr=1-9

 

[road_runner]

I'm 16 so price is an issue so cheaper is preferred

Only for light control you do not need a controller. Any of the time controlled power strip out there would do more than fine.
The reef keeper is also a good controller for low cost. It will do the function you want.
Ghl will be bit expensive

 

[ZoWhat]

I say save your pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters.... and just jump into the Apex swimming hole like the rest of us.

At a $500 entry level system.... tell me it's not worth the investment to be on vacation 1,000 miles from home and MONITOR your tank via your phone....

Last year I had my toes in the sand, 760miles from home... I was able to monitor my tank visually via a webcam plus looking at the Apex parameters #s all on my phone while on the beach. I had my stepdad a 15min drive to my house in case I saw smthg wrong.

The power of knowledge like that and control like that is worth the price of admission with Neptune Apex. Run with the big dogs or stay a lap dog on the porch

plus Neptune Apex is the market leader on new innovations.

jump in.... you won't regret it. my Apex is a single BEST thing I ever bought for my reef

 

[ileas12:]

I say save your pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters.... and just jump into the Apex swimming hole like the rest of us.

At a $500 entry level system.... tell me it's not worth the investment to be on vacation 1,000 miles from home and MONITOR your tank via your phone....

Last year I had my toes in the sand, 760miles from home... I was able to monitor my tank visually via a webcam plus looking at the Apex parameters #s all on my phone while on the beach. I had my stepdad a 15min drive to my house in case I saw smthg wrong.

The power of knowledge like that and control like that is worth the price of admission with Neptune Apex. Run with the big dogs or stay a lap dog on the porch

plus Neptune Apex is the market leader on new innovations.

jump in.... you won't regret it. my Apex is a single BEST thing I ever bought for my reef

Ah thats what I mean its so nice but is it worth it? The only difference i see is that i dont have a ph montior on my phone if i buy the other things

 

[reeferKen]

I had the same negative experience using inkbird metal probe as this guy here. But the bayite Temperature Controller with replaceable probe works great from amazon.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/i...-other-models-and-brands.616218/#post-6187566

then there was another negative experience post in the inkbird sponsored forum but it was deleted, I don't see them as a sponsor anymore. He said his metal probe models have failed within a year.

INkbird themselves, Jinghua X. posted on amazon reviews this about their metal probe wifi model
"the stainless probes may not be perfect for aquarium, but coated the probe in silicone will help."

I put a wyze cam on the temp controller if i need to look at the temp while away. Home depot has them. Good luck.

 

[road_runner]

Ah thats what I mean its so nice but is it worth it? The only difference i see is that i dont have a ph montior on my phone if i buy the other things

Thays actually not entirely true. When it come to controllers it's not about the entry price only it's about the functions you get for that price.
Ghl with the main controller box gives you salinity, leak detection, 2 ph probs, orp, wifi and more. All come with the same entry price
With apex you get less functions then you get sucked in to buying modules and adding wires to get a function. Also do not look at the older apex cause they are obsolete now which is another issue.
My advice is: if you want to invest in a controller do your research and look at where you are couple of years from now when you want to add more functions. Also look at the reliability of probs and functions...To me ghl win when I look at it this way.

If you wnat something cheap to the functions you described you can get what you want for 150$ or so, which I would recommend if price is absolut factor here.

Forums are full of supporters for this controller and that. Do your research and compare functions vs cost vs reliability.

As for the "jump in you will not regret it", I used apex for 5 years and truly regret it, end up throwing so much money away and switched to ghl. I had so much problems with their probs, with their auto top off, the amount of modules and wires I needed to deal with and other issues. There are many in the same boat as me....Just something to think about.

My 2 cents

 

[ileas12:]

I had the same negative experience using inkbird metal probe as this guy here. But the bayite Temperature Controller with replaceable probe works great from amazon.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/i...-other-models-and-brands.616218/#post-6187566

then there was another negative experience post in the inkbird sponsored forum but it was deleted, I don't see them as a sponsor anymore. He said his metal probe models have failed within a year.

INkbird themselves, Jinghua X. posted on amazon reviews this about their metal probe wifi model
"the stainless probes may not be perfect for aquarium, but coated the probe in silicone will help."

I put a wyze cam on the temp controller if i need to look at the temp while away. Home depot has them. Good luck.

thank you

 

[ileas12:]

I had the same negative experience using inkbird metal probe as this guy here. But the bayite Temperature Controller with replaceable probe works great from amazon.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/i...-other-models-and-brands.616218/#post-6187566

then there was another negative experience post in the inkbird sponsored forum but it was deleted, I don't see them as a sponsor anymore. He said his metal probe models have failed within a year.

INkbird themselves, Jinghua X. posted on amazon reviews this about their metal probe wifi model
"the stainless probes may not be perfect for aquarium, but coated the probe in silicone will help."

I put a wyze cam on the temp controller if i need to look at the temp while away. Home depot has them. Good luck.

so with the bayite will it turn my heater back on once the temp hits the low mark?

 

[ReeferReefer]

Cheap is my middle name. This will get you by till you are ready to spend a grand on Neptune's stuff....

https://www.amazon.com/TECKIN-Multiple-Protector-Bar，Remote-Compatible/dp/B07FM3P87S?pf_rd_p=3ebd7bb8-e4db-4762-b094-2aa45768a3b5&pd_rd_wg=gfLnf&pf_rd_r=GEWE30CZQ6NXFJV33JQ8&ref_=pd_gw_cr_cartx&pd_rd_w=25hHk&pd_rd_r=1a23cd0a-1751-4320-ad25-2138d1d9e235

https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Electronic-Temperature-Germination-Controlling/dp/B01486LZ50/ref=sr_1_9?crid=388196T09MWE0&keywords=inkbird+temperature+controller&qid=1561736437&s=hi&sprefix=inkbird,tools,179&sr=1-9

This. I used the Inkbird temp controller and timers before I upgraded to Apex. Worked just fine and didn't cost much.

Apex is nice since I can control it all from my phone now.

 

[russell13]

I would try and find a used apex JR. you can find them pretty cheap and would do what you want. I’m also a cheap guy but I ended up finding a great deal on a full apex system and I absolutely love it.

 

[reeferKen]

yes sir, one socket is labeled heating the other cooling.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I say save your pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters.... and just jump into the Apex swimming hole like the rest of us.

At a $500 entry level system.... tell me it's not worth the investment to be on vacation 1,000 miles from home and MONITOR your tank via your phone....

Last year I had my toes in the sand, 760miles from home... I was able to monitor my tank visually via a webcam plus looking at the Apex parameters #s all on my phone while on the beach. I had my stepdad a 15min drive to my house in case I saw smthg wrong.

The power of knowledge like that and control like that is worth the price of admission with Neptune Apex. Run with the big dogs or stay a lap dog on the porch

plus Neptune Apex is the market leader on new innovations.

jump in.... you won't regret it. my Apex is a single BEST thing I ever bought for my reef

You sure make it sound like Apex is the only option - which it is clearly not.