What to look for in a controller?

I am continuing the set up of my 55gal tank.

I started looking to buy a more complete water test kit. From there I saw probes for various measurements associated with some controllers.

So... what is a good controller to use and what probes (pH, etc) do you use with them??

In general, what are the features that I should look for in a controller? My hope is to automate the tank as much as possible in the end.

Mark

 

Neptune Systems make a nice one. I use a Aqua Controller III Pro and love what it has done for my set up. There is pretty much nothing it can't do. It really comes down to your budget.

 

I also recommend Neptune Systems. The Apex is the newest controller they offer and I like it very much. I've seen the Reefkeeper controllers and I don't care for them at all. Neptune all the way for me.

 

I think right now the Apex and the Profilux controllers are pretty much top of the line.
But really what you should be looking for totally depends on your setup so it's impossible to say which one will work for you without knowing the entire rest of your setup and how willing you are to trade $$$ for convenience/automation.
It depends how many things you want to control, it depends if you're going to have a calcium reactor, or maybe automated 2 part dosing, if you're going to use ozone, do you want to do ATO with it or do you have a separate ATO unit, will you be looking to wire extra water sensors or other float switches to the controller, do you want to hook it up to the internet to have it send you status updates or send alarm notifications when parameters are out of whack etc etc.
I would figure out the rest of your setup and then find the controller that can help you automate as many of those tasks as possible.

The nice thing about the Apex and the Profilux is they seem to be the most expandable and the most future-proof right now, but you will be paying more for them.

 

I got my Apex for $470 shipped from Aquacave. It came with everything needed; I added an extra Energybar (8 outlets per EnergyBar) for $150. Not a bad price at all.

Also, upgrades are done via ethernet - NOT USB like the Reefkeeper controllers. To upgrade your RKE / RKL you have to disconnect everything and connect each device to your PC to upgrade them. I do it through a utility on the computer which does the upgrade over the network and it's done. On my tank having to rip everything out and put back in would give me a headache and likely turn the controller in to a projectile.

 

For $99 for the basic unit the Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper Lite is hard to beat. It is easy to program is expandable up to 4 modules and the head unit can be traded in for credit if you decide to step up to the Elite. All the modules remain the same so you're not out anything there.

 

For $99 you get timers for 4 outlets and temperature control. Everything else you pay per module and for each probe. You're over $200 quickly to be able to do anything else. $279 for the L2 and $379 for the light with 'net. DA also can't seem to stick to one project and now the myReef software won't be out until mid 2010.

The AC Jr is a much better value if you're going the "lite" route.

 

Plus keep at watch on the for sale on RC and you can always find someone getting rid of one cheap.

 

+1 on the sale forums

 

Thanks everyone, I look into the ones you referenced and keep reading.

M