aquarium controllers, where to begin??

rjbesch · Sep 20, 2012

I am looking at a couple of controllers and am trying to get an idea as to what would be the best for me. I will add a calcium reactor in the future so I would like to be able to control that. But right now my main concern is controlling my top-off, my temp, pH, and my lights. I don;t want to spend an arm and a leg right now. I want to have room to upgrade as I would like to move out of my 75 into a larger system, but that will likely be a couple years unless I run across a great deal. I have been looking at the aquacontroller jr. The best I can tell I can control everything with that via the internet or my iPhone without the display, is this correct? I would like to add a display eventually. But what all would I need to go with the system to control my ATO, view my temp and pH, and be able to turn my lights on and off. I am using a TEK 6 bulb T5 fixture and a JBJ ATO at the moment. any suggestions would be great and if it is cheaper to by a system as opposed to piecing together one, point me in the right direction so I can get a grasp on what's out there.

Thanks

ryeguyy84 · Sep 21, 2012

I have an apex jr, you would need a pm1 to see the ph and some sort if breakout box to control float switches. I used an s video cable instead of buying the b/o box. You just need to do a little wiring. I've had a reef keeper and I really recomend the apex.

Knuckles33 · Sep 21, 2012

i use the reefkeeper elite. you can control all those items u listed above with that. you can view the status of your system online and turn items on and off with the net module. ive had it for over a year and have no complaints about it.