Real-time monitoring

[dragon99]

How useful is it to the long term success of a reef?

I'm considering a pH/temp controller with possibly salinity (that seems to add alot of cost). Mostly I'd like some that charts a pretty graph of the changes. I would also like the extra insurance of having a controller over the heater's outlet. I'm using Ecotech for pump/water movement, so controlling those is already handled pretty well (might get a reeflink just for kicks). I have AI Prime lights which have a crazy amount of control through their app/PC, so nothing really to add there.

So how much do I gain from something like a Neptune/Seneye vs just manually checking parameters a couple times a day (or week if I'm being honest)?

 

[twilliard]

I have not run a system like those stated and I have been doing this since 2005

 

[Untamedrose]

I think it depends upon what kinda reef keeper you are...and what kinda corals your wanting to keep(some of those high end corals are a lot more picky it seems...or at least their owners are)

First up your ph is Going to change hour to hour...day to night..weather systems seem to change it.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/ Main thing you can do to keep it stable in the recommended range is not over dose with this or that or etc additive(imo) and do your regular water changes.

Heater a second heater is a good back up...they do die....and if you have two. Much less likely to have an massive swings in temp. But not a horrible idea, but still not sure how needed(imo)

Only thing that will change salinity is evaporation(ok and a little bit of salt creep.) An ATO system, or topping it off yourself once a day with fresh water fixes that. I only check my salinity when I do water changes. Check the new water and then check they whole system about an hour after I add that. A good refractometer if you dont have one or a ATO would be a better investment.


Personally...pretty sure that would drive me insane rather then Help anything but Im kinda old fashioned I think in my reef keeping. As long as it's all happy...shrug. Again all IMO...I looked at them and rejected the idea.

 

[jsker]

I have an Apex Gold, and have come very attached to it. Yes it is the most expensive one, but I did the math and by the time I did all the upgrades (probes and modules) the gold was less over time.

I like the fact that I can shut down different pumps, heaters, lights, etc when doing different tasks during maintenance and feeding. I like the fact the I do not have to test my PH and salinity. I saved my tank this winter when I go cold, my heater could not keep up and the alarm notified me. It like insurance if something is not right it will notify you by email or and alarm when you set it up.

Edit: I can also control everything from my phone or tablet when I am on the go. You can also have an auto feeder and feed when you are not there for feeding times. You can hook up a web cam and check in on the tank. I regards to the cam yes you do not need a controller to use a web cam, but in nice you can look and control you tank remotely

I would not go without a controller now.

 

[dragon99]

Sounds about right. I just need to resist the "ohh shiny" urge and keep it simple.

I've got an ATO so realistically salinity shouldn't be changing.

 

[jsker]

Sounds about right. I just need to resist the "ohh shiny" urge and keep it simple.

I've got an ATO so realistically salinity shouldn't be changing.

Later on if you do purchase do not go cheap

 

[reeferfoxx]

Sounds about right. I just need to resist the "ohh shiny" urge and keep it simple.

I've got an ATO so realistically salinity shouldn't be changing.

If it isn't a necessity, at this time, just wait. New products are coming out with cheaper price tags. Some of those new ones require you to change "cartridges" every 30 days. Which that's just a monthly fee imo. $200+ monthly fee...pfff

 

[p7willm]

You can definitely run a system for years without but it can make it easier, add backup, and do some things that are too hard to do without.

They cost a lot but you get things that you would have to have. For example, you can turn your lights on in the morning and off when you go go bed, unless you sleep in on the weekend or plan on going on vacation, so you will need a timer for the lights. As an extra my lights change during the day starting out dim, ramp up to full noon, and ramp down in the evening. You can do that without a controller but you would need to adjust them all day long and a controller to just do the lights like that cost 100.

Backup is important. God knows how much can go wrong. With constant monitoring of pH I can shut off my ATO, with kalk, if the PH starts to get high. I found out my ATO tube came off the valve because the pH jumped. Without monitoring I would have had to notice the hose loose among the forrest of hoses.

When something goes wrong, like the heater breaking, I get an email when the temp drops .3 degrees out of normal.

It is fun, for me, to play with.

When it comes time to feed the fish I flip a switch and the return shuts down for 5 minutes, the wave pumps go into gentle for 5 minutes, the skimmer shuts down and does not come on until 5 minutes after the return, the ATO does not top off. Also whenever the return shuts down, for whatever reason, a bunch of other stuff stops and, if there is no good reason I get an email. After the return is down for 30 minutes something might be wrong so I get an email.

The new apex monitors power usage on each outlet so if your return pump starts taking more or less power than normal you can get an email.

My system does water changes for me every day. I just have to fill the new salt water tank when it is low, the system also reminds me when it does get low along with reminding me when the ATO water gets low.

So there are lots of reasons to have one. Yes, you can have a tank work for years without one, but it is easier with one, not that much more expensive than buying all the timers and stuff, it adds backups, and lastly it will tell you when something is starting to go wrong.

 

[hatfielj]

The most helpful function of my apex controller is being able to log and graph my alk, calcium, alkalinity, etc values. I also very much like being able to change my light schedules and dosing amounts from apexfusion's website. I never have to mess with the display by the tank anymore. I don't really look at the pH or temp stuff very often. I also don't think salinity would be valuable. I personally don't trust salinity monitors. They are finicky in my experience. I'd rather stick to the refractometers.

Overall its a personal choice, but I do enjoy having the apex controller and find it makes husbandry easier to do.

 

[RedoubtReef]

controllers are great but not a deal breaker if you don't have one. I use a DA ReefKeeper Elite and love being able to quickly check temp, pH, and salinity history. Still a good idea to verfiy your salinity from time to time with a refractometer.