Explain to me what a reef controller does

I read lots of forums and I see a lot of people ranting and raving about reef controllers. I look at the websites for them and I don't really understand what they do and how they work. Here's my guess, please tell me if I'm on the right track.

There's a head unit that monitors a series of parameters and it get's it's input from a series of sensors (temp, pH, etc). The head unit is connected to a power strip with each outlet being individually controlled, presumably using relay's, by the head unit. So for example if the tank get's too hot it would sense it using a thermometer probe and then turn on a single outlet that a fan is plugged into. Is that about right?

How about controlling lighting? Say a person has LED lights that can be controlled to go through sunrise, daylight, sunset and storm cycles. How does the controller do that? Do you need special LED's or something else?

I get that the benefit is greatest for larger tanks with many functions going on but is there a legitimate benefit for someone with a nano tank? At what point, how many functions, does a person start benefiting with a controller?

What else is there to these things?

 

That's about right. They can also control ATO, allow remote monitoring of tank parameters, ect. (All depending on the type of controller you get)

I have a nano, and I got a Reef Angel controller that allows me to have my pumps act as a wavemaker, have a feeding mode that automatically turns off all my pumps, water change mode that turns everything + ATO off, ATO, it can also control lights (most controllers allow you to connect dimmable LED drivers).

Plus, I have mine controlling my heater. It turns it off and on within a fraction of a degree, keeping water exactly the correct temperature. Also, I set mine up to have a float valve on my HOB fuge to turn off the pump if it's about to overflow.

Soooo basically, there's all sorts of stuff you can do with them.

 

I didn't realize they displayed parameters. How accurate are they? Would you consider it a replacement to the liquid API tests?

 

+1 good reply, simple and informative.

 

They display PH, Temp, light cycle (LED intensity). Not alot of the more detailed ones, so you'll still need the test kits.

 

Oh, gotcha. I was wondering how it could do that, though I'm sure with the right amount of money there'd be a way.

 

There are sensors to monitor your other parameters if you don't mind spending thousands of dollars each.

 

I've owned a few controllers. Based on your needs for a nano, I'd say start with a simple controller and use it as a timer, ATO, and temp control. This alone will go a long way, you don't need to go into this thinking you need all the bells and whistles. You can have a starter controller for around $100. If you buy timers for your lights that's already $20-30. If you buy a temp gauge, that's at least $8-$20. If I were to start a new nano tank, I would skip timers and go straight to controllers. Possibly buy a used one for $75-$90

 

Simple answer.... they centralize your system into one central failure point

just kidding (mostly anyways). They can be used to make a system more redundant too. Although, I worked hard to make this happen and mine still failed causing a lot of damage to my system. In fairness, if I had noticed sooner, it would have been less of an issue, but I was busy with other things and didn't notice for a few days. A better controller than a DA RKL would have probably helped too....

 

With my Reefkeeper Lite I also control my calcium reactor based on readings from a pH probe, have moonlights on a lunar cycle and hev two Evolutions on a wavemaker function. Not to mention temperature control and visual and audible alarming functions if it gets too hot or cold, fans, turning lighting off to bring heat down etc. The possibilities are many.