Controller reccomendations? Doesn't have to be new.

[southerntnreefer]

I dont believe it comes with WiFi support. What you linked is what it comes with.

I saw a wifi module, but I also read it's about as stable as apex's. Which isn't very. I'm sure I could drill a small hole down the the basement and around to the main Wifi router to tie it in. But that 400 bucks essentially would do everything I need to do, assuming I buy 3 of the brs dosing pumps as well.

 

[madweazl]

I saw a wifi module, but I also read it's about as stable as apex's. Which isn't very. I'm sure I could drill a small hole down the the basement and around to the main Wifi router to tie it in. But that 400 bucks essentially would do everything I need to do, assuming I buy 3 of the brs dosing pumps as well.

I've never used the WiFi module so no clue.

 

[southerntnreefer]

I've never used the WiFi module so no clue.

Wired direct is fine with me. I like the open source idea tho. Sounds like you get more for the money than you do from apex and the others...

 

[southerntnreefer]

If you dont want to spend a lot of money, the Reef Angel is an extremely reliable controller that is capable of doing anything you could dream up. I have an RA+ on our 75g that has been flawless for almost three and a half years now, actually, it did hang up once requiring a reset (pumps and heaters all worked properly but the lights didnt come on). We have a GHL on our 150g and it's definitely a bit more polished but is also twice the price (still not particularly intuitive).

Here is what I'll have for gear on this build.

Return pump

Skimmer

2 dosing pumps ( or 3 )

Fuge light

Heater titanium

Skimmer

Gyre

I only think 3 pumps as I'm considering aquaforest 123.. will one bar be enough? My light won't be on it as it's got it's own app and wifi control already. The only advanced control would be the fuge lights on for 12 off for 12, and heater temp control, and ato. The rest would be on and off for maintenance

 

[madweazl]

The included power bar controls eight items and you have eight it looks like (I'm assuming the second skimmer is actually your ATO).

 

[southerntnreefer]

The included power bar controls eight items and you have eight it looks like (I'm assuming the second skimmer is actually your ATO).

Thats what happens when i type tired! yes would be ATO pump. these are all on off relay outlets right? i dont need dimming. pump is a DC pump and Gyre has its built in controller, so id just need on and off. If i need 3 dosers though, id need a second bar right?

 

[madweazl]

All outlets of the RA bar are so they can do function how you want. I wouldnt connect the Gyre to the controller; having it connected to the main outlet gives you some redundancy in the event the power bar fails (you'll still have in tank flow).

 

[southerntnreefer]

All outlets of the RA bar are so they can do function how you want. I wouldnt connect the Gyre to the controller; having it connected to the main outlet gives you some redundancy in the event the power bar fails (you'll still have in tank flow).

good call, i didnt even think of that, at least that would get me through until i got home. That gives me 8, and would clean up the stand. Id do a small normal power strip for my light, and the gyre, and then the 8 power bar for all the other gear.

Im really leaning twords this system. Did a bit of C coding in college, and i work with alot of XML and SQL and such at work, so im semi familiar with expressions etc so even if i have to get deep in there, its not too scary.

Can the system Email me if there is a problem? and can i get to the interface from outside my walls etc? heat in the room too high, kill the skimmer, and heater per say?

 

[madweazl]

good call, i didnt even think of that, at least that would get me through until i got home. That gives me 8, and would clean up the stand. Id do a small normal power strip for my light, and the gyre, and then the 8 power bar for all the other gear.

Im really leaning twords this system. Did a bit of C coding in college, and i work with alot of XML and SQL and such at work, so im semi familiar with expressions etc so even if i have to get deep in there, its not too scary.

Can the system Email me if there is a problem? and can i get to the interface from outside my walls etc? heat in the room too high, kill the skimmer, and heater per say?

It will alert you. In the setup wizard, you can simply check a box to turn a specific item off (automatically) if an under/overtemp condition arises (you set your low/high temp in another window). You can control it remotely as well (I've never had a reason to).

 

[southerntnreefer]

Update! Order placed for a new Reef Angel Star :)

 

[User1]

Update! Order placed for a new Reef Angel Star :)

Here is the deal - honest opinion after owning the Reef Angel plus. Great controller. The open source custom libraries are awesome. There are features that are not available on any of the over the counter shrink wrap controllers be it GHL or Neptune Apex. Geo location, tidal, storms based on a boolean logic and main loop, and wave patterns such as nutrient transport. Community has some great samples if you are not a coder and of course you post on the forums and you will get help.

I used one for close to 7 years but started to have some minor issues with temp pins breaking or other things and decided to move to Apex. Having said that I still have it and have considered pulling it out a few times just for the custom lighting, tidal functions, and geo location. It really is a powerful unit.

I believe you will be happy. Best of luck.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Here is the deal - honest opinion after owning the Reef Angel plus. Great controller. The open source custom libraries are awesome. There are features that are not available on any of the over the counter shrink wrap controllers be it GHL or Neptune Apex. Geo location, tidal, storms based on a boolean logic and main loop, and wave patterns such as nutrient transport. Community has some great samples if you are not a coder and of course you post on the forums and you will get help.

I used one for close to 7 years but started to have some minor issues with temp pins breaking or other things and decided to move to Apex. Having said that I still have it and have considered pulling it out a few times just for the custom lighting, tidal functions, and geo location. It really is a powerful unit.

I believe you will be happy. Best of luck.

Thanks so much!

I am looking forward to it, i just couldnt as of this point, justify the APEX just for the name, when this will do what i want and so much more. I need to find 0-10 v controllable powerheads now, but im excited. This is my first time using a reef controller. Ive joined the community a while ago, and asked some questions. Ive already identified a few expansions ill be getting down the road here shortly too. Seems so powerful.

 

[User1]

Thanks so much!

I am looking forward to it, i just couldnt as of this point, justify the APEX just for the name, when this will do what i want and so much more. I need to find 0-10 v controllable powerheads now, but im excited. This is my first time using a reef controller. Ive joined the community a while ago, and asked some questions. Ive already identified a few expansions ill be getting down the road here shortly too. Seems so powerful.

I used Jaebo's RW4's and RW8's on my 40 breeder with their custom cables. Once configured easy to do many of the tidal, reef crest, and other wave patterns. Can do things like altername between left, right side to do tides, etc.

Honestly - while I like my apex, very much, the RA is super awesome. Sounds like you are off to a great start. It really is a dang fine product and will last. My temp pins started to corrode but I believe it was due to me keeping the RA head unit near my skimmer and salt in the air was the cause. So pretty sure it wouldn't have issues if I thought about the location a bit better :) So my error.

Welcome to the RA community btw.

 

[southerntnreefer]

I used Jaebo's RW4's and RW8's on my 40 breeder with their custom cables. Once configured easy to do many of the tidal, reef crest, and other wave patterns. Can do things like altername between left, right side to do tides, etc.

Honestly - while I like my apex, very much, the RA is super awesome. Sounds like you are off to a great start. It really is a dang fine product and will last. My temp pins started to corrode but I believe it was due to me keeping the RA head unit near my skimmer and salt in the air was the cause. So pretty sure it wouldn't have issues if I thought about the location a bit better :) So my error.

Welcome to the RA community btw.

Im going to have a 2 foot section of wall on each side of the tank, so im dropping hints to wife for a side cabinet for the controller, and all other pieces like that for good measure.

I got him to send me a "retired" humidity module as well on this order, so i can setup that for my canopy, Ill be adding the water level expansion, as well as the power control for 12 volt DC fans for the canopy. Might consider another humidity for the sump area too, so i can turn fans on and off depending on retaliative humidity.

For power heads, im after something slim like the Reef Breeders RP-M or Nero 5, and neither support 3rd party control or 0-10 v. I had jebao PP8 on my old 90, and have some large SW on my fish only tank downstairs, but the PP8s died after a year, so kinda made me afraid to go Jebao again... Id like to have more control of my powerheads than just on and off,. so im in full research mode.

I appreciate it! I look forward to Tinkering, and just found out it does support Alexa and voice control now, so ill be looking to trigger some feed modes, possibly auto water changes etc through that eventually. Really excited to be part of it all now!