What Controller do I need?

[dochow]

I have a 75 gallon mixed reef set up now for about 9 months. I would like to purchase a controller to protect my investment but I don't want to break the bank with an $800 new apex controller if I don't really need it.

What I am looking for:

Access salinity, temperature and pH info from web anywhere.

Turn on and off pumps for feeding.

I have two Kessil A360's which I run off a spectral controller.

That's all I really need! I don't want to buy cheap and then have to buy something again in a few years.

The new APEX is the Rolls Royce, but will I actually use all those bells and whistles and actually be able to make sense of programming all those additional features?

Any thoughts or recommendations?

Tank pic for fun.

 

[nitro]

Check out the last two or three videos on the BRS website and YouTube page. They do an excellent job of going over this question.
Nitro

 

[dochow]

I watched them both, still though I'm not convinced one way or the other.

If any suggestions or even if you have a controller you are happy with or are upgrading or recommend I would love to hear about it!

I'd even entertain offers to buy one

 

[ngvu1]

Lets have some Friday fun

Requirement (Features)
1. Access salinity, temperature and pH info from web anywhere.
2. Turn on and off pumps for feeding.
Fund (budget)
1. Way less than $800 but not specified (Assuming as least as possible)
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I will break the requirement down to conquer. However, I need detail requirement.

a. Salinity (Just to see or you need to be able to react (like turn off the ATO when salinity dropped rapidly) to certain value?)
b. temperature (Just to see or you need to be able to react (like turn off the heater when temp is too low or turn on the fan when temp is to high) to certain value?)
c. PH monitor (Just to see or you need to be able to react (like turn off the doser when ph is too hi) to certain value?)
d. From web anywhere (no question here)
e. turn on and off pumps for feeding (Does it have to turn back on after sometimes automatically?)

 

[gcarroll]

I watched them both, still though I'm not convinced one way or the other.

If any suggestions or even if you have a controller you are happy with or are upgrading or recommend I would love to hear about it!

I'd even entertain offers to buy one

FYI, there is still one more controller video in the series coming.

 

[dochow]

Lets have some Friday fun

Requirement (Features)
1. Access salinity, temperature and pH info from web anywhere.
2. Turn on and off pumps for feeding.
Fund (budget)
1. Way less than $800 but not specified (Assuming as least as possible)
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
I will break the requirement down to conquer. However, I need detail requirement.

a. Salinity (Just to see or you need to be able to react (like turn off the ATO when salinity dropped rapidly) to certain value?)
b. temperature (Just to see or you need to be able to react (like turn off the heater when temp is too low or turn on the fan when temp is to high) to certain value?)
c. PH monitor (Just to see or you need to be able to react (like turn off the doser when ph is too hi) to certain value?)
d. From web anywhere (no question here)
e. turn on and off pumps for feeding (Does it have to turn back on after sometimes automatically?)

Thanks!!

I use kalkwasser in ATO (Tunze osmolator).

Funding- $800 in a couple months or $300 now

A. Salinity Just to evaluate
B. Temp, evaluate, but makes sense to be able to react.
C. pH, evaluate only, don't have doser.
E. Really only need on/off. I have wave pump, for jebao. Would be nice to turn off my return pump though, but likely I will eventually upgrade this to a DC pump.

 

[ngvu1]

Turnoff the kalkwasser in case pH jump is good idea no?

Anyway to be able to take some action remotely and you want the salinity monitoring then I think there are only a few controllers, reefKeeper, reef angel... you might be able to get used controllers with the $300 price range. The apex even the used one with salinity monitor is a bit more than $300. I guess around $500.....

Thanks!!

I use kalkwasser in ATO (Tunze osmolator).

Funding- $800 in a couple months or $300 now

A. Salinity Just to evaluate
B. Temp, evaluate, but makes sense to be able to react.
C. pH, evaluate only, don't have doser.
E. Really only need on/off. I have wave pump, for jebao. Would be nice to turn off my return pump though, but likely I will eventually upgrade this to a DC pump.

 

[crs751]

I have a 75 and bought a used RKE. You need to add a NET module and SL2 for salinity. But it saved my tank when salinity dropped and I was too lazy to check it. I can access the system over the Internet and can turn off devices as necessary. For my purpose it works great and you can usually find this equipment used on the forums. This works for me.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

Controllers are all the same now, the only difference is price and TRIAC vs mechanical outlets. One thing I absolutely hated about the apex is it came with 6 triac's and 2 mechanicals. And then you only find out after something doesn't turn off, the triac's don't support <15-20 watts. (they won't turn off for low wattage items)
I can say the Reef Angel comes with mechanical outlets. Not sure about other brands.
Happy with the RA because it's unlimited flexibility. Never liked the apex because it was dumbed down and you couldn't even add a custom variable to do math functions etc.. Otherwise for your needs, I would just say go with whatever you can afford right now, they're all the same.