lets talk about controllers...

matts125 · Jan 30, 2014

well many of you know me from a few years back. I was very successful growing a full mixed reef. but since then one major thing has changed... I am super busy with work now and don't have as much time to put into all the manual aspects of keeping a reef stable. so I am looking to create the most stable and consistent system I can. so when it comes to controllers I will not cut corners. I want the best for my application. I also take 2-3 vacations a year and want to know whats going on with my reef while im away.

anyways this is an open forum to discuss your experiences with controllers.

Cheers!
Matt

reefman069 · Jan 30, 2014

hey there Matt. well i just went down that road and got me a apex neptune controller. this is the first controller for me and i love it. i have added an extra eb8, orp probe and a break out box. i also added the lsm and moon lights. the lunar simulator controls the leds to the lunar cycle. one day my moon lights will be bright and the other day they may be dim. .i have looked at all the other controllers and i think the apex is the best on the market. it is very easy to control your tank. you can turn on and off things with your phone or on the computer. super nice. i like the thought of looking at my phone and knowing the temp, ph, and orp are stable at any time. also shows how many amps you tank is running. on the computer you can pull up grafts.

spieszak · Jan 30, 2014

depends on your equipment list, and your tech level. if i were to buy a new one, i would likely go reef angel, but thats because of my tech background.. although, i wouldn't buy any until i knew what the new mindstream thing was going to be compatible with...

NC2WA · Jan 30, 2014

ReefKeeper or Apex controllers are the two big players in this arena..

I have a RKE, but thinking about changing to Apex as the ease of programming is better than RKE...also, I like the fact the display screen is easier to view and internet modules are included with the Apex.

in any event, you need to budget anywhere from $600-800

matts125 · Jan 30, 2014

in any event said:
Ohh is that all???

lol I just dropped $7,000 on the tank, chiller, rock and sand.. pretty sure another $800 is no biggie.. haha

spieszak · Jan 30, 2014

matts125 said:
Ohh is that all???

lol I just dropped $7,000 on the tank, chiller, rock and sand.. pretty sure another $800 is no biggie.. haha

Hope we're not supposed to be impressed LOL
Seriously though, If I were thinking about a controller, I wouldn't touch anything until I knew what these guys are all about and what they will support. (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mindstream-Aquarium-Monitoring-System/172032453001343) Given the feasibility of at least "semi real time" monitoring and the ability to adjust dosing pumps and reactors based on it, I'd wait. I have an ACIII and an ACII. They they do just what I need them to do, but what I'd really like to ditch is the testing and manual adjustments. I've thought about upgrading, but plan on holding on to what I have until I see if these guys flop or not. The problem of course is that they have been on the radar now for months, and I'm not really seeing any updates. So, if you have an quick time frame in mind, you may not be able to wait on that.