Does it make sense to get a controller?

none of these will work for me
my wife HATES this tank. And she is the one who bought for me a couple xmas ago. The money and time annoys her. Especially the money
She got me a 60 gallon which I then upgraded to a 90 6months later. But the 90g cost around $700 and sold my 60g for $100. And I was lucky to get $100!!
But then the 90 needed a sump ($200 ish). The sump needed a pump ($200 ish). Then needed LEDs and that was $250. Just upgraded those LEDs to Kessils which cost me $1,100. I told her it was $200 and my mom gave me $100 for xmas. My wife still complained!! Let’s not forget the 30ish coral frags I have.
So big picture my wife regrets getting me a tank

 

I've tossed around the controller myself. I can see that it would be useful. However, I'm waiting till I really see a clear need for it. I'm with Todd on setting up as much as you can yourself. I doubt that it's worth breaking the bank for. There will always be something else that you just got to have in this hobby.

 

I agree, I guess what I'm really trying to say is, don't settle for something now just because it's cheaper and you really want "something". Do your research and make sure that whatever you purchase will meet your needs now and in the future. This hobby isn't cheap and I know I can't afford to replace something that I bought yesterday because it doesn't support my needs today. If your research shows it'll support all your needs today and tomorrow than go with it. I haven't studied the other controllers out there, they may do as much or more than the apex, I bought mine based on the recommendations from friends and not from my own research.

Yes, I'm preaching to myself now..

 

I just bought new LEDs and when I told my wife that is what I wanted to buy with some money I got for christmas, she mentioned how that was all the money I got. My thought was if i got more money i would spend more on lights, or something else. I however did fudge the numbers on the LEDs to her as well.

Recently I started taking overtime money and having it deposited into a different checking acct that had not been used in years. So that is where my aquarium money comes from.

 

Is this aquarium style infidelity?

 

I know the feeling. Mine was a DSA 100 gallon tank last Christmas... I told her I wanted a 300DD she said dont fill it with water put it in the garage and sleep in it.... I guess I will get a 220 or 260 instead.... LOL

 

Its funny how many threads have little conversations about how to hide things from, get over on or make purchases without our significant others knowledge. ( I myself hid a 125 gal tank for a significant period of time ) I have no experience with controllers and if i was into electronics i'd probably jump at one. I fall more into the Toddsails amp in that I enjoy a simple set up that is mechanical with non electronic fail safes built in. Before you pull the trigger and make the purchase, its worth looking at his build thread to see what he has been able to accomplish. To me, anything that can keep disaster and frustration at bay allows me to enjoy the hobby more and both ways can accomplish that goal. To each their own but as scajeo said above, research first and see how it fits into your current and future plans.

 

I have had to upgrade/replace equipment countless times in my relatively short time in this hobby ( about 5 years) and have learned an important lesson, go with equipment you can use in the future. For example, I started with a 4 bulb Orbit T5 light fixture, then upgraded to 6 bulb Tek, then to MHs. Same with power heads, started with MJs, then to Koralias, then to Vortech. When I took down my first tank, I sold most of the equipment, which I'm pissed at now as I just bought a new Vortech MP40. That's another example, I was debating on the MP10 or MP40, cost difference is fairly significant and I was going to just get the MP10, but I knew deep down, it would not meet my future needs. So after a lot of thought, I sprung for the MP40, glad I did now. Ultimately, and this is hard to rationalize to a significant other, you will save money in the long run. If you always go the cheap route, you will always be upgrading and spending more. So my suggestion is if you are going with a controller, get the one that is adaptable and will not just suffice for now, otherwise, you will end up with the more expensive one at some point after already spending hundreds.

 

I use to do that. Until the statement got mailed to my house and wife saw it. oops!! haha

ha I might be considered that. Skimming(yes pun) off money and fudging the number that new infidelity?!?!

LOL "dont fill it, sleep in it"
Classic line