Aquarium Controller or Nah for your reef?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I have lots of automation, but it is all simple electronic timers. I do not trust controllers.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

How do we officially define controllers? Having a full apex setup? Hydros?

I have a ph monitor from Milwaukee and I autodose kalk and AFR on a dosing pump.

I don't like that there are basically 2 options out there for full automation. I want to see more older well known companies bring more innovative options. It may not be cost effective for Eshopps or Tunze to produce an apex type product, though. Still, I'd like to see the big outfits give us some more options.

 

[Cow]

How do we officially define controllers? Having a full apex setup? Hydros?

I have a ph monitor from Milwaukee and I autodose kalk and AFR on a dosing pump.

I don't like that there are basically 2 options out there for full automation. I want to see more older well known companies bring more innovative options. It may not be cost effective for Eshopps or Tunze to produce an apex type product, though. Still, I'd like to see the big outfits give us some more options.

I’m planning to put together a “for dummies” guide for the RoboTank and AquaPi controllers. The interface boards themselves can be had for around $60-90, but the current documentation is pretty minimal.

From what I’ve seen, the devs are trying to keep these projects open source while also finding ways to monetize them. The downside is there’s no real handholding guide or clear breakdown of features and costs, which makes it harder for newcomers to jump in.

The projects can seem a bit daunting, but I think better documentation would go a long way toward wider adoption. Right now, it almost feels like the lack of detailed guides nudges people toward buying the pre-assembled units, which probably limits how many DIY folks get involved.

 

[vlangel]

I do not nor have ever used a tank systems controller. Not that there is anything wrong with them, especially for the techy reef keeper who enjoys that aspect.

I am old school and got into reef keeping when timers turned on the actinic lighting and a different timer turned on the whites and we called that automation, LOL! I will say that my LEDs have a built in controller as does my variable flow return pump and powerheads. That's it though.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I know a guy that doesn't even have a timer on his halides. He turns them on when he wakes up and off before bed. He is retired though. Not one bit of automation except for auto top off.

 

[Joe.D]

I have an Apex on my tanks. Helps me monitor and make the changes I need for my dosing. Really helps me keep the system stable. I also tend to travel for work so if it needs anything I can let someone at home know and keep things going well.

Same for me. Apex, work travel, 2 week vacation each summer, couple of other trips through the year. I’d have more peace when I travel if it weren’t for the fish and the dog.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I do not nor have ever used a tank systems controller. Not that there is anything wrong with them, especially for the techy reef keeper who enjoys that aspect.

I am old school and got into reef keeping when timers turned on the actinic lighting and a different timer turned on the whites and we called that automation, LOL! I will say that my LEDs have a built in controller as does my variable flow return pump and powerheads. That's it though.

20 years ago I thought I was fancy because I ran probably 10 different timers for stuff over my 8" 180G. 1 for each halide 4 x 250w. starting at 10am the first halide would fire then 15 minutes later the next etc.. Running east to west. Then 10 hours later those all shut off in the same sequence, each light had a blind that split the canopy into 4 minimizing light spread to the next region. 4 hours after the last halide turned on my VHOs actinics would kick on and run for 10 hours.
30 minutes after the last halide turned off the moon lights turned on and ran for another like 6 hours.

plus had timer for the refugium.


so many timers. I hated when the power went out. I was 18 and thought it was genius

 

[vlangel]

20 years ago I thought I was fancy because I ran probably 10 different timers for stuff over my 8" 180G. 1 for each halide 4 x 250w. starting at 10am the first halide would fire then 15 minutes later the next etc.. Running east to west. Then 10 hours later those all shut off in the same sequence, each light had a blind that split the canopy into 4 minimizing light spread to the next region. 4 hours after the last halide turned on my VHOs actinics would kick on and run for 10 hours.
30 minutes after the last halide turned off the moon lights turned on and ran for another like 6 hours.

plus had times for the refugium.


so many timers. I hated when the power went out. I was 18 and thought it was genius

Yeah, I only had the 2 timers but I also hated it when the electricity went out. I still run my basement sump's lights on a timer.

 

[D'sreef]

I use a geeni smart power strip. I have one plug scheduled for the lights, one for my ATO programmed to turn off if both the main pump and wave pump are turned on and to turn back on 20min after the wave pump is turned off. The just a schedule for the wave pump. I like being able to turn everything off with a tap of my phone too

 

[245013]

We got a Hydros Launch and are loving it so far. We do enjoy the cool tech but don't want to go to crazy. I love being able to monitor and control things while we are away. I also enjoy the feeding and water change modes. It helps things run smooth without forgetting to turn things off and on. My most favorite thing is the additional protection of having the ATO pump on a limit so it will only run for a certain amount of time to prevent overflow or burning up the pump.

 

[Jimbo327]

When I was younger, I wondered why anyone would need a controller. But now that I'm older, I wonder why anyone would not have a controller. It's just a great tool to help manage and monitor your tank, and with the tons of money most of us sunk into it....a controller is like a preventative insurance policy...you can set alerts that gets sent to your phone and help alarm when things go wrong. I also find that when life get busy, it's nice to have a controller to lessen reef burnout or to help monitor when you physically can't be next to tank. Also, if you have to travel for a couple weeks, it's such a blessing to check on the tank and have peace of mind.

 

[cruzersmith]

After my research I decided on the hydros launch, which for me was the perfect entry level device. Easy to set up and rock solid performance for those things that we forget to do or turn on or off and monitor while away. I like hydros for its easy to build on with its modular design system for future growth.

 

[realwizer]

Hydros for me. Used to have an Apex, and Hydros all the way for me.

I’ve saved my floor from overflows, controlled issues while on vacation, prevented issues from runaway heaters, and have the tank automated enough where I don’t have to think much about maintenance and just enjoy it.

My latest automation was controlling RODI into my ATO reservoir automatically via solenoid, and alerting when TDS goes above 1 so I can service filters.

I’d have one even if just for tracking temperature and pH.

 

[corosato]

I have an Apex for my office tank. I use a Trident for a/c/mg testing off it as well as the mxm to control my lights and gyre (all AI equipment). I like having the auto testing as I am super lazy about doing it myself and I know it so I corrected that. I still manually dose but eventually I will get a dose on there for AFR to keep that going as well. I like being able to take a glance at the app and see how things are going, I don't do anything crazy with it however. My other tank is a softy tank so I just handle that with water changes.

 

[cnaegler]

I use the Hydros system. I run an X4, (2)-X8's, a Wave engine, a Launch, A Sole doser and I'll be getting a Blenny doser and a Maven tester(if they ever come out with it)

 

[rhitee93]

I don't have any "Controllers" in the reefing sense. I have doing pumps, ATOs, and that sort of open-loop stuff, but not an overall system controller.

Much of my last 35 years has been spent designing industrial control systems for a living, and I just don't need that in my leisure life. If I do decide to implement a controller someday, I'll probably start with a brick PLC and work out from there. That can wait until I retire.

 

[kboogie]

It's been a while so let's ask it again!

Do you use an aquarium controller on your reef tank?

Why or why not?

Which one are you using?

I love controllers. I still use a 17 year old Apex on my QT. I have DIY’d a very nice solution that integrates into my home automation ecosystem using Home Assistant and Kasa strips along with some low cost probe and other equipment.

I get Alexa announcement and full low level control.

I have my automations setup to turn off the ozone generator when someone enters the room and waits 30 minutes after they leave. It will set a light color in the room to indicate is has been less than 30 minutes since the Ozone was shut off. It turns on the office fan to help dissipate the Ozone.

I get Alexa announcements for aquarium floods and skimmer collection jug levels.

I also get announcements for low pH.

 

[PapaBeepBeep]

It's been a while so let's ask it again!

Do you use an aquarium controller on your reef tank?

Why or why not?

Which one are you using?

Apex 3 Pro with DOS, Gro light, and Trident. I recently installed it primarily because I travel internationally several times a year. My first trip since getting the Apex is coming up next month so whether it’s worth the exorbitant cost remains to be seen.

 

[BrianneG]

i seriously need one, but no space for ine unless i get a cabinet next to my stand

 

[RaisingTinyHobbits]

I don't have one currently, but would like to add a simple one for some redundancy backup and systems monitoring, not so much for automating everything. I love the look of the hydros but honestly all the technical talk around controllers just confuses me.