Is a controller worth it???

I have pretty much, after 7 mo completed buying everything that I had set out to buy (and then some) from the beggining. I see live banners on the posts from people's controllers, and that is cool. But othr than PH and ORP monitoring, I really dont see alot of advantage to these, over what I am running now(timers etc). Is it just the bling factor or am I missing something. I understand the programming capabilities as I have read alot about them. They are expensive though. Someone chime in and convince me I need one!!!!!!

 

I love mine and would not do without one.. PH, Temp, ORP are all nice things at a glance but where I find the value is the monitoring that the controller does. Here are some examples:

- Since I had my AC III take over control of my heaters if my temp varies by .4 degrees that's alot.. (summer is a different story.. Need a chiller)

- You don't have to worry about a stuck heater cooking your tank as the AC III will shut the power off to the heater.

- The controller can turn of MHL if the temp gets too hot then turn them back on when it drops.

- The controller knows if there is a power interuption and can be programmed to keep MHL off for a set amount of time allowing them to cool to avoid damage.

- You can have an alarm on the controller that will sound if something is off with the tank.. IE Temp, ORP, PH..

- You can have an alarm send a email to your phone if something is wrong with the tank.

- If you travel it allows you to check in online to see what's happening with Parameters.

I'm sure Otty will chime in as he does lot more with his then I do mine. I've only had mine for about 6 months so am still figuring out new way to use it. Before I by a chiller I'm going to hook up a fan to it and have it turn a fan on to blow across the surface of the water if it gets too hot. Ok enough out of me! Let me know if you have questions.

 

They can also run your ATO and for larger systems, they can control your reactors and Oxygen (i.e. turn them on and off based on parameters you define).

But I don't know how they know the parameters... When I upgrade tank size, I'll get one.


I suppose for the internet accessible ones, there's peace of mind when you're away that your temp and pH are fine...


I believe they're also beneficial for wavemaking (timed powerheads and returns, etc.).

I'm going to follow this thread too though.

 

Good points- I forgot about that as I am not using those features... YET!

I travel for work pretty often and while my wife is great about feeding I can't ask her to keep an eye on the other stuff. (we have two small children!) This gives me the ability to check it out anywhere.. While not the most user friendly (phone issue) I can even use my Blackberry to go in and control things remotely.

I do not have mine controlling powerheads but you certainly could. For power heads I have two MP40ws. They have their own controllers.

Here is a link to a comparison site. Aquarium Controllers: Download Controller Comparison Chart

 

I believe that just the constant monitoring of parameters makes them well worth it. I mean who really likes to use test kits?? And that fact that the second your parameters are off, you get an email, an alarm goes off, or the controller fixes it by its self is just another reason to love them. The one downfall is they can be pricey, hench the fact I have yet to take the plunge. I am, however, looking to purchase one soon...

 

Thanks for all the input--I have a heater that even if it got stuck, it would not cook the tank--too much water. I have tried it. As far as the programs that were mentioned above, alot of the scenarios were for heat issues I.E. If temp reaches ? then Halides or lights off. My chiller already does this. I guess I could see the advantage if your away alot. But I am home every night, and as far as a ph warning, my PH does not swing more than .1 I'll keep following to get more info. Thanks Remick. Also I read an article by RHF that ORP is almost impossible to understand or manipulate anyway. I like toys though--Just want to make sure it is practicle before I take the plunge (No Pun)--Rob

 

Now you sound like you're talking yourself out of it Robman! They are sweet.. Here is the code for mine.. Otty's code is twice what mine is.. I'm still learning. Anyone have code they will share of have any other reasons why you love your controller??

If Time > 12:00 Then ACT ON
If Time > 22:31 Then ACT OFF
If Time > 15:00 Then MHL ON
If Time > 21:00 Then MHL OFF
If Time > 22:30 Then MLW ON
If Time > 23:01 Then MLW OFF
If Time > 23:00 Then MLB ON
If Time > 23:59 Then MLB OFF
If Time > 19:00 Then FUG ON
If Time > 07:00 Then FUG OFF
If Time > 01:00 Then PMP ON
If Time > 01:00 Then HT1 ON
If Time > 01:00 Then HT2 ON
If Time > 01:00 Then ALM OFF
If Temp > 82.0 Then MHL OFF
Max Change 090 M Then MHL OFF
If Temp > 83.0 Then ACT OFF
Max Change 060 M Then ACT OFF
If Power 000 Then MHL OFF
Max Change 020 M Then MHL OFF
If Temp < 78.0 Then HT1 ON
If Temp < 78.0 Then HT2 ON
If Temp > 78.5 Then HT1 OFF
If Temp > 78.5 Then HT2 OFF
If Temp < 67.5 Then HT1 OFF
If Temp < 67.5 Then HT2 OFF
If Temp < 77.5 Then ALM ON
If Temp > 81.5 Then ALM ON
If Power 000 Then ALM ON
If Time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF

 

I've been researching controllers. From what I've read it's almost a necessity if you run a calcium reactor. As CO2 enters the reactor it changes the PH. If it changes too much the controller will turn off the CO2. Without a controller it could throw the PH way off if not properly adjusted.
Also one neat feature for some controllers is wet floor sensor monitoring.

 

Like said before the remote monitoring and email warning system is worth it alone to me. If a heater breaks or if one of your power circuits goes out your controller can email you (as long as you set it up on a separate circuit or battery backup of course) and let you know that something's wrong potentially saving the tank.

Also you're relying on your heater not being powerful enough to overheat your tank? Does it get colder in the winter where it wouldn't keep the temp up enough? Does it get hotter in the summer where the average temperature of the tank will be higher so it might be able to on the hottest day of the summer? What happens if it fails all together and stops heating the tank?

 

I would never run a tank without one. Too much can go wrong when you get into larger systems. I run Ca reactors, Kalk reactors, ATO's all ventaliation, Ozone, chiller...etc. Once you get one will will wonder why you didn't do it years ago. Mine even e-mails me if an alarm happens and text my phone.
Heck just this weekend I was away from home and logged on to find my CO2 tank needed changing. Great to be able to do that from any internet connection.