CONTROLLERS! Which one is your favorite and why?

[Reef and Dive]

Apex here. Pretty happy with it.

 

[ColoredRock]

and I guess I do use it as a controller... I can use it to switch things on a and off.

 

[Major Havoc]

Multiple APEX systems here and add-ons, love it. I have not tried any other system, but plan on it in the near future.

 

[landlubber]

Unsure if these would be considered controllers, but an Inkbird is one of the best purchases I made
Also recently bought a Jebao DP-4 doser, so we will see how that goes.

the inkbird is the unsung hero of controllers. a $30 aquarium heater's failure can easily torch a $10,000 tank if unchecked.

 

[Alexr54]

Apex for me as well.
Testing CAL/ALK/MAG, and auto dosing.
Plus good integration with lots of products.
Only downside for me is it does not work well with new Radions. Just on/off.

 

[landlubber]

Apex for me as well.
Testing CAL/ALK/MAG, and auto dosing.
Plus good integration with lots of products.
Only downside for me is it does not work well with new Radions. Just on/off.

for lighting it isn't as imperative but realistically you really don't want a controller to manage every operation in the tank. life support equipment cannot operate if your controller fails so its not the worst idea to split pumps if you can so if there is an issue you've water remains moving, heaters keep heating.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

GHL, lab grade probes and the KHD is an invaluable piece of equipment for me.

 

[liquidfire]

Can't speak for anything but Apex, but so far so good.

Had 2 classics running 1 tank each, and just consolidated to to an Apex EL and PM1. Running 2 tanks off one controller is nice.

I am eventually going to get a trident, which is what drove me into Apex.

Programming can be finiky but also easily googled or figured out.

 

[ColoredRock]

the inkbird is the unsung hero of controllers. a $30 aquarium heater's failure can easily torch a $10,000 tank if unchecked.

Double layer protection for me... Pretty much everything in my system, I try and have a backup. Pretty sure I am the only point of failure.

 

[mattdg]

I am still running a 10 year old Reefkeeper 2 and it does the job. It's really nothing but a bunch of convenient timers and a delay switch for feeding / cleaning, which is what I want. Why can't an option like that, perhaps with some built in remote PH and leak detection, still be available?? So many reefers I speak with, loved their Reefkeeper controllers.

Everything else has it's own controller anyway... lights AI Hydra HD's, Pumps Tunze / Vortech / Red Sea, Heater Inkbird Wifi. I don't really get the big deal about auto testing, so no need for that. No single points of failure, to contend with. My next upgrade would be putting the dosing pumps on controllable peristaltic pumps and then I'm good.

I already have an X2 waiting to be installed, in the event the RK2 fails.

 

[ColoredRock]

I don't really get the big deal about auto testing

For me lazy on my part. Still need to test the test.. but having it automated would work for me.. just costs to much.

 

[Alexr54]

I don't really get the big deal about auto testing

I would never manually do 4 or more ALK tests a day. Probably 1 every few days a most.
Auto testing helps me keep it stable and dose properly throughout the entire day, everyday.
Similar for CAL and MAG. These don't fluctuate as much and as often, but keeping them steady IMO is essential for best growth and health for harder to keep corals.
For me personally, I would never be able to keep them as steady without auto testing and auto dosing.

 

[ColoredRock]

auto testing and auto dosing.

For me that is the goal.. but never will the two combine.

 

[Alexr54]

For me that is the goal.. but never will the two combine.

Why is that?

 

[ColoredRock]

Why is that?

If you are basing you dosing off your automatic testing.. way to many areas to screw up.. If I adjust my dosing to my testing. I am the controller.

 

[Emerson]

I like Apex, but I started with it and have had no reason to change out. I have so much invested in the different add-ons, I'm not sure I can get out. That said, I've been very happy with all the products.

 

[Alexr54]

If you are basing you dosing off your automatic testing.. way to many areas to screw up.. If I adjust my dosing to my testing. I am the controller.

It can only screw up to the ± percentage set which 10% is the lowest I think on apex. So if your daily ALk dose is 30ml spread between 24hrs. Which can be calculated based on historical data and additive recommendations.
It can only screw up to 3ml ± day.
I guess it depends on your volume and if 10% can really harm anything.

 

[ColoredRock]

It’s can only screw up to the ± percentage set which 10% is the lowest I think on apex. So if your daily ALk dose is 30ml spread between 24hrs. Which can be calculated based on historical data and additive recommendations.
It can only screw up to 3ml ±.
I guess it depends on your volume and if 10% can really harm anything.

That is good to know.. thanks!

 

[mattdg]

I would never manually do 4 or more ALK tests a day. Probably 1 every few days a most.
Auto testing helps me keep it stable and dose properly throughout the entire day, everyday.
Similar for CAL and MAG. These don't fluctuate as much and as often, but keeping them steady IMO is essential for best growth and health for harder to keep corals.
For me personally, I would never be able to keep them as steady without auto testing and auto dosing.

It is absolutely true that auto testing can help you dial in exact Alk/Cal numbers, throughout the day. With that said, I keep a SPS heavy mixed reef, with hard to keep species and have dialed in my dose by testing 3x a week, by hand. I and many other reefers are proof that stable levels and equivalent results can be readily achieved by testing less often. I have also personally observed that keeping a tank at an exact / precise number 24 hours a day, will result in coral (especially SPS) that are less resilient when something does happen that effects those "rock solid" parameters.

One more thing about the trident, in particular. I have heard that they are supposed to be maintained by manufacturer every 18-24 months. So basically sent in, to be calibrated for accuracy, especially if used in conjunction with a doser, to maintain Alk/Cal levels. Not something I hear mentioned very often, probably because that is a huge PITA.

I probably should not have said, that I don't get the big deal about auto testing. If you are really into the reef gear, it can be a cool and helpful addition to a sump or equipment room.

 

[Alexr54]

I have also personally observed that keeping a tank at an exact / precise number 24 hours a day, will result in coral (especially SPS) that are less resilient when something does happen that effects those "rock solid" parameters.

This is the first time I have heard that keeping params too steady can be harmful.
I mean i guess it makes sense. Its like building up an immune system from getting sick.
Not sure how much this applies to corals tho.