Need to know if a controller would really benefit me

[TrishW]

Because I run a remote sump with no calcium reactor I am confused as to whether or not a controller will really benefit me.

In the house I have my display, three LED units, two or three powerheads and a 300W heater. I could move the heater to the sump, I guess. It may not matter but I also have a nano and I will soon add a third tank. The nano and the new tank will be stand alone systems but there is always the possibility that in the future I would tie those into any controller I may have if that is an option.

In the garage I have an isolation tank that feeds my sump. The sump has a phosban reactor, skimmer, return pump, kalk stirrer that is powered by a tunze ATO and a 300W heater. The 55G isolation tank has lighting, a 300W heater and a powerhead.

Current issues are that the ATO seems to be over filling the sump which causes the sump water level to be high, causing the skimmer to go crazy which is turn causes the ATO to dump even more water into the sump. I sent the ATO back to Tunze and they tested it and said that it was functioning properly but today I found the skimmer waste container almost full of water and the sump level high.

I think an Apex is the direction I would go but would also consider a reefkeeper or reef angel. The main thing I want is the ability to grow cost effectively.

Can those of you who are familiar with the different controllers offer your opinion, please? If you are familiar with my system then your opinion would be appreciated even more.

Keeping in mind that I am a cheap reefer would be a plus

 

[cpayne015]

i am in the same boat with mine and really debating getting one for my 120 as i want it to ensure my alkalinity calcium and magnesium are in control for corals

 

[inkedsparkster]

Honestly..............the simplicity alone of the Apex with everything being controlled from your computer/phone is just amazing. Being able to monitor your tank when your not home................priceless. Or setting it up to send you warnings, just so many options that it can do. I have the apex and I'm setting it up for the first time as we speak. It's a little frustrating at first. But watch the BRS TV youtube videos on it and it helps a lot. Or other users videos on how to program them.

 

[gpdno]

I would not have a saltwater tank without my Apex. The ATO and AWC alone make it worth the expensive. Being able to program multiple backup has saved the tank more that once from disaster.

 

[gcrawford]

Agree with sparkster... Although I've only had mine set up this week, it's really cool to control and monitor using my iPhone or iPad. For me, it was mainly taking care of things that I did manually, such as turning on my kalk reactor pump, or removing mechanical timers that could fail. My lights are reef breeders which take care of themselves, and I don't use a cal reactor, so the apex jr was fine for my needs - heater, fuge lights, kalk and turning on the jebao wave maker every morning.

I'll probably upgrade to a full apex, or at least add an eb8 so I can add all the rest of my equipment to the controller. Also, apex has Fusion which allows you to have all functionality wherever you are with your mobile device without complicated network setup. As I understand it, you can just log in and check on your tank - even with a cam on your mobile dashboard. Nice to be able to do while sitting on the beach sipping a piña colada.

Gotta love new technology......

-g

 

[TrishW]

Also, apex has Fusion which allows you to have all functionality wherever you are with your mobile device without complicated network setup. As I understand it, you can just log in and check on your tank - even with a cam on your mobile dashboard. Nice to be able to do while sitting on the beach sipping a piña colada.

Gotta love new technology......

-g

Do you have to add another module to be able to monitor the system from your phone?

 

[Hassablad]

Wow the gadget freak's are out In force.. All the net stuff is way cool but it's mostly toys. I just put a Reefkeeper Elite Titanium on my 75 and it is working superbly for $299. I know its cool to be able to watch your tank on your I phone but really I seriously doubt you will ever do much more than that. You can get the net mod for the reef keeper as well. Once you have things set up the idea is for it to do the job and not have to set and watch your phone..lol I'm sure the Apex capabilities are far more diverse than the Reef keeper but if you want to get the job done and still have money for salt I chose the one without the bling... Just my opinion I am willing to do a comparison if Apex wants to send me a system but for now I'd rather buy some more corals..

PS: Trish you can come over anytime and see how mine works Photos on my build thread..

 

[gcrawford]

Do you have to add another module to be able to monitor the system from your phone?

No, I have this now with a basic apex jr which I got used for $100. If I got an alarm notification while on vacation, I could control items while away - or monitor things that I set up in case of emergencies. Oh yes, also apex has an automatic feeder that is controlled by the system, or manually while away. I plan on getting this addition in the near future.

I guess you could call it a gadget, but a beneficial one that has benefits for me. Haters will down one or the other brand. Listen to those who give you solid information on experience. I have no experience with the reefkeeper brand. It could possibly have benefits as well.

Best of luck with your decision. I'd appreciate feedback on either brand you choose, should you venture into purchasing a controller.

-g

 

[markkazdad]

I like the Reefkeeper Lite we have on our JBJ NanoCube 28. I only wish it had a few more outlets but I can make do with a power strip. Trish, for your Nano or FOWLR tank I think it would be fine. If you buy it and don't like it you wouldn't have to twist too hard to get me to buy your used one.

For our 90 I am leaning more towards the Apex line but may keep leaning a while longer because it's in the competes with vacation budget category.

 

[TrishW]

I like the Reefkeeper Lite we have on our JBJ NanoCube 28. I only wish it had a few more outlets but I can make do with a power strip. Trish, for your Nano or FOWLR tank I think it would be fine. If you buy it and don't like it you wouldn't have to twist too hard to get me to buy your used one.

For our 90 I am leaning more towards the Apex line but may keep leaning a while longer because it's in the competes with vacation budget category.

I like the price of the RK Elite Titanium that Rick got. I can get it for $285 and it will do everything that I need it to do right now. I have a couple of gift opportunities that netted me $240 and the $285 is a really nice price.

 

[JSB]

I have had my Apex for 3+ years now. I love it. Hassalblad is right though, you won't spend much time watching your tank online. However, the emails and text messages I get when my ato is dry, or there is a water leak, or my temp or ph is out of whack are priceless. The ability to press a single button to configure all of my pumps for feeding alone is worth the price, and here is why:

Many years ago I was taking care of a friend's 120. I somehow forgot to turn the main pump back on before I left. When I returned the next day, it was a total loss, from a single mistake. With my controller, When I push the feed button, my skimmer turns off, my return turns off, my circulation pumps slow. 15 minutes later, it undoes all that and runs the circ pumps in nutrient export mode for an hour to attempt to remove any uneaten food. That alone is worth the price.

How much does it cost to replace all of your livestock? I will bet you it is more than a controller. Same for a hardwood floor.

 

[TrishW]

So the reefkeeper doesn't send text message alerts??? That one fact would keep me from buying it.

 

[Onebaldman]

Being able to automate functionality is wonderful to me, but I am a tech geek. I have an Apex Lite. I enjoy being able to push a button for feed mode, being able to watch my parameters over time and knowing that when I travel, that I can watch what is going on and call someone if I need them to go look at something more specific.

I have mine turning on my protein skimmer every other day, controlling my heater, controlling my radion lights and vortech pumps. I also have my return pump and carbon reactor plugged in, but that is so that I can automate turning them off when need be. I also have a float valve on my protein skimmer collection jar. Whenever it is full, it shuts the protein skimmer off and warns me the next day that the cup is full.

I knew I wanted to buy a controller in the end, but I wound up buying faster than I thought because of my tank flooding my house 3 different times. One of the modules I bought on day one is the leak protection. It has little sensors you can plug in and place around the perimeter of your stand. Any time it senses water, you can set up the controller to do certain events. Mine emails/texts me, shuts down the ATO and anything that moves water in my sump. I have had this save me several times since I bought it.

Besides the leak protection, the controller has allowed me to enjoy my tank more instead of feeling like it is a chore.

 

[turbo21]

So the reefkeeper doesn't send text message alerts??? That one fact would keep me from buying it.

The reefkeeper doesn't. But if you add the net module and setup a free account at reeftronics.net you can get txt and email. Just a little extra work to get it going

 

[TrishW]

I called BRS and asked some questions and it seems that I would need the Apex standard controller plus a breakout box and some switches to control an ATO pump and switch off the skimmer if the collection container reaches a certain point. The cheapest option is always ruled out in this hobby!

Has anyone here used the Reefkeeper Net module? I was told it was hard to program. He also said that it would send alerts but that I couldn't control anything remotely with a RK.

 

[turbo21]

I called BRS and asked some questions and it seems that I would need the Apex standard controller plus a breakout box and some switches to control an ATO pump and switch off the skimmer if the collection container reaches a certain point. The cheapest option is always ruled out in this hobby!

Has anyone here used the Reefkeeper Net module? I was told it was hard to program. He also said that it would send alerts but that I couldn't control anything remotely with a RK.

I have the net module. And it was pretty simple. They have some pretty good how to guides on getting it setup for use outside of your
network. It does send emails for alerts you setup and. I can turn individual outlets off from my phone

Attatched is the email I received for communication lost from the reefkeeper

 

[JSB]

So the reefkeeper doesn't send text message alerts??? That one fact would keep me from buying it.

I don't know if it will or not. I was just answering your original question about whether or not it will have value to you. I don't advocate one model over another, either. Go with what does the job at the price you want to pay.

 

[joekool]

APEX all the way.

Internet built into unit. APEX fusion you can view your tank and control it from anywhere you have internet. Very easy to use. Well worth the money and safety with controls to shut items down when there is a problem. IT just does so much. Once you have one you will try to find a reason why you never had one but you wont. The only thing is that they are not cheap but loss of life in your tank while away would cost you more than the APEX costs. So don't buy more corals save up buy one than start buying corals again.

Must haves are leak detection module and sensors, Lab grad PH, ORP. Nice to have conductivity probe, feeder unit, extra energy bar, Lunar module, Video when they come out with their own plug and play video system in the works. I would buy the $549 system as you get a energy bar 8 and more vdm ports. lets face it you will need more than 4 outlets torun your tank. I have one just for LED lights and one for the rest of the system.

 

[JSB]

...lets face it you will need more than 4 outlets to run your tank...

Yeah, I use 14 of my 16 available. Even went so far as to program the light in the stand to come on whenever I open the door.

 

[Mason Dixon]

I can personally vouch for the reef angel. It does all you need it to do and fits in your budget a bit better than apex.

The greatest thing my reefangel does for me is allow me to dial my vinegar dosing down to the drop each hour. I can keep my nitrates at the perfect level where everything is happy. Love it.