Which Controller Would Work?

Hello everyone,

I am in the process of purchasing a controller for my fish tank and would like to know what controller would work best for my set up. I have an extremely vague idea on controllers and what they do, and that is why I am turning to 3reef! ;D

Here is a list of what I am currently running on the tank:

Koralia Deluxe Wavemaker
Power head 402
Jäger 200 W Heater
Nova Extreme Pro 48 in T 5
Moon lights
Eshopps HOB skimmer

Here is a list of what I would like to upgrade to in the future:

SWC 300 Skimmer
Calcium Reactor (no idea brand)
Possibly 2 Vortech MP 40 or Tunze powerheads to replace Koralia Wavemaker (very far in future)

So with all this in mind, what kind of controller should I get for my 120 G tank?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Robert

 

The answer will depend, in part, on what you want to do with the controller. Do you want to hook up each piece of equipment you have to a controller, or just use it for specific applications.

I'll explain what I mean. I personally only use a Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper Lite controller for my 90g reef tank. It can only handly 4 outlets, so I use it for my heater and fan (ie. to control the temperature of the tank), and for my wavemakers/powerheads. I don't use it to control my lights, since I find that cheap timers from Home Depot are much more economical than getting a controller just for a lighting schedule. Similarly, I don't hook up my skimmer to a controller (although some do).

So, as I said, it all depends on what you want to do with the controller and how much you want to spend.

 

Id determine what kind of things you'd like to monitor/log through a controller (i.e. PH, ORP, Temp), and also count how many devices you want to be able to 'turn on/off' with the controller. Then you can better determine which one suits your needs. Alot of these controllers scale to your needs as you grow your tank too.

 

Like others have already mentioned, depends on what you're trying to control/monitor. I could also consider spending a few more $$ and getting something that scalable, chances are if you're into the hobby you will get a bigger tank down the road.

I currently run a NepuneSystems AquaControllerII w/ a DC8 on my 75 w/55 sump. I controL my lights, heaters, powerheads and monitor pH, Temp. I don't have a pH controller on my Ca Reactor (take it easy everyone, I know I should), I'm considering using the ACII instead of buying a separate controller....just haven't had the time to set it up, so it all depends on what you're trying to do. Check out Neptune Systems and Reefkeeper

 

The Reefkeeper Lite will control 4 modules, not just 4 outlets. That means you have the possibility of controlling 16 outlets if you used four PC-4 modules.
I use the RKL which has the standard iTemp probe and have two PC-4 modules or 8 controllabl outlets. Along with that I have a SL-1 module which has the pH probe so I can monitor and control my calcium reactor and it has 2 switched contacts for things like autotopoff floats, door switches to turn undercabinet lights on and off or trigger alarms to keep the grandkids out and it includes a space for a ORP probe if I decide to add one.
I also have the MLC moonlight module and control 3 pods or 6 moonlights with it.
I have my heaters, MH lights, VHO lights, return and closed loop pumps, moonlights, fans, calcium reactor, and things I don't even remember right now all on it. I already had a noce ATO system so still use it but float switches are an easy add on for the RKL.

Starting at $99 its pretty hard to beat and at like $269 with a SL-1, a second PC-4 and a pH probe its still hard to beat. You can also add a Net module to communicate with a PC, a SL-2 module with a salinity probe, a ALC advanced light controller module or others, the limit is 4 modules though. It can also be traded in for credit of you decide to upgrade to the Elite and you keep all your modules since they work on both and the Elite can do like 16 modules or something.

 

i am kinda shopping for controllers as well. i think i have decided on the apex for 2 reasons

-can "control" via web......espically like the idea of using the aquanotes app for the iphone

-the new module that will allow it to control vortech pumps

i think digital aquatics is working on releasing the same stuff, i think the kind of have to to stay competitive.

 

The Apex is an awesome controller. I would not buy a DA product.

 

Out of curiosity, why would you not buy a DA product?

 

It takes them forever to release new products, they don't often listen to customer requests (such as web control / programming - myReef 2.0 has been announced, but you still have to connect your device to a computer to program from a PC, which I do not have to do with the Apex), and I have heard bad stories about customer service from trustworthy sources.

You also have to connect each module to your computer to flash them / upgrade them where you do not have to with the Apex.

I like the ability to write custom programs on the Apex which you cannot do on the ReefKeeper products. Neptune is finally starting to pull out of the stigma that they are hard to program now that the Apex is gaining popularity. Even if you do not use the web control, it is in my opinion easier to program / control via head unit than any of the DA controllers.

 

A Neptune AC Jr. Will be plenty for you It can control 12 outlets. It is a good controller for most anything. Apex is a big step forward. It can control anything.

As a side note since you mentioned it.... a SWC 300 on a 120g tank would be too big IMHO.