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Post by Matt in Lewiston on Apr 19, 2014 10:31:02 GMT -5
So I pitched the idea of an aquarium controller to the wife tonight...she agreed it was a good idea!
Now I am faced with the decision, what to get???
I already have my own opinion, but I want to hear others before I decide.
What I want:
Heat protection (will shut off heater and/or lights as needed, turn on fans)
Ph monitoring
Temp monitoring
Salinity monitoring
Wave maker (replacement for Red Sea unit)
iPhone App with control/alerts/monitoring
I also want to be able to expand it to add dosers if I decide to do that down the road.
Cost isn't a big concern, I'll just save up until I can afford the right one.
Thanks!
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Post by BriMc on Apr 19, 2014 10:50:33 GMT -5
Neptune systems Apex
Digital aquatics Reef keeper
Profilux
Aquatronica
Reef angel
and a few others
All good controllers but require the purchase of Modules to do what you are trying to do.
At this time I would hold off on Aquatronica products as they are going through restructuring and no one knows what is going to happen with them. They are a great controller ( I own two aquatronica systems and a Neptune aquacontroller JR) but service is lacking.
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Post by oceangirl2009 on Apr 19, 2014 11:20:31 GMT -5
I'll be getting an Apex when I have the $$ (probably Xmas lol). Do the research and take a look at the reviews. The 2 biggest players are Reef Keepers and Apex both have pros and cons but after doing the research I'll be going with an Apex unit.
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Post by Tucker on Apr 19, 2014 12:05:09 GMT -5
Apex. The reef keeper elite I use simply does not do as well, and isn't as user friendly. As well as the random power down that I get once a month.
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Post by gotareef on Apr 19, 2014 13:09:32 GMT -5
I love my reefkeeper! cant beat the price for what you get...
but it depends on what you want to control.... with the reefkeeper they were having issues with heaters 300w and bigger shorting out the plugs... not sure if it is still an issue or if they still recommend the 15a plug for heaters or not....
but I use a temp controller so not a issue for my 800w heater
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Post by Tucker on Apr 19, 2014 15:42:32 GMT -5
That was the problem I think I am having but they haven't gotten back to me by email or phone.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Apr 19, 2014 16:24:22 GMT -5
Why do they have a iPhone app and not Android?
I also just got the go ahead from the wife to get a controller so I'm very interested to hear peoples comments. I'm planning to order it tonight I believe. I'm leaning towards the apex Jr even though it cost more and does less out of the box.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Apr 19, 2014 17:34:07 GMT -5
Kinda curious now Matt, what controller are you leaning towards and why?
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Post by Matt in Lewiston on Apr 19, 2014 18:00:25 GMT -5
I am leaning towards Apex...most of what I have read on here supports that decision. It seems to be made well, and should do everything I need it to do. I also like how it integrates with Radeon lights (if I decide to switch to those). The Reefkeeper seems fine, but the Apex seems to have better reviews.
And regarding gotareef's comments about the heater with Reefkeeper, I have a heater controller now, but I wanted a second failsafe in case it goes bad, or the temp probe gets yanked out of the tank and I didn't notice. I run a 500watt heater.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Apr 19, 2014 18:23:14 GMT -5
You gonna get the apex or the apex Jr?
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Post by Matt in Lewiston on Apr 19, 2014 18:28:12 GMT -5
I love tech, so I'm thinking Apex Gold for myself. I like bells and whistles!
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Post by jasonandsarah on Apr 19, 2014 18:43:46 GMT -5
Yeah I'm not that big on tech besides my phone. Tell you the truth I missed most of the tech age everyone went through all of the 2000's.
So it's hard for me to justify buying one for $500+ even more for the one you want. When I don't even really know what they do besides the basics, temp control, ph,orp, lighting and email and alerts.
I think I'm gonna go with the apex Jr and I can add a couple things in the future if needed.
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Post by Matt in Lewiston on Apr 19, 2014 18:59:13 GMT -5
I'm at the start of my research myself, probably a couple months out. The thing I probably want the most is to be able to open an App and see some of my parameters from anywhere. I just wish you could see Alk, Ca, Mg also.
I justify the cost, because I spend a lot of time away from my tank, usually at least 10 hours a day...if my temperature probe got pulled out of the tank, it would think the water is about 68 degrees, so it would overheat and kill everything before I knew anything was wrong. The most expensive controller is cheaper than replacing all my livestock.
Also, at least with the apex, when it turns on a pump it starts the pump a little softer, and it's supposed to make them last longer.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Apr 19, 2014 19:13:12 GMT -5
Also, at least with the apex, when it turns on a pump it starts the pump a little softer, and it's supposed to make them last longer. This is the type of stuff I've been trying to figure out for about a month my self I read and read but ours very hard to compare subtle differences when there's just so much information on all the controllers out there. Idk I'm just happy I have it narrowed down to 2 different ones now. |
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Post by Syntax on Apr 19, 2014 21:41:35 GMT -5
I'm looking at a full apex for my new build as well. The full is worth the price over the Jr., less modules to buy.
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