Do I need a tank controller?

jsancho · May 10, 2016

i just ordered an apex gold from marine depot, its 100 off. I have been using Digital Aquatics reef keeper lite. Apex is a much better system but cost 700. I got my reef keeper from a friend for 200 with an extra PC4 ( 6 outlet block) Reef keep was great not to many complaints but apex is the best out there.

Peanut · May 11, 2016

dale.thorpe said:
I've read some good things about the Apex. Is there any controller that will control multiple tanks? I have 3.

if you can run long enough wiring you can control as many tanks as you want with an Apex

Ahgee · May 11, 2016

zoomonster said:
Now would be the time if your going to take the Apex leap (which I recommend). There's a rare $100 off Apex Gold sale going on right now vendor wide.

Yup! I just bought a gold yesterday because of this promo! :) definitely not a necessity... But because this can be quite the expensive hobby... (O_O) it's nice to have a few fail safes and extra monitoring :)

120reefkeeper · May 11, 2016

Do you have to..... No. I've done without before, but now I couldn't do without it. I have an Apex .... Love it. It's like buying an insurance policy for your investment.

Bob Escher · May 11, 2016

Although I don't do it ( I only have a ten gallon QT in addition to my DT it is entirely possible to have multiple system attached to the apex. You would need of course multiple probes and modules for example but yes very possible

Harry_Y · May 11, 2016

dale.thorpe said:
I've read some good things about the Apex. Is there any controller that will control multiple tanks? I have 3.

An Apex should be able to control multiple tanks

X.M.Chen · May 13, 2016

Just received my apex gold. How is this thing work? How to setup?

patsheridan · May 14, 2016

I'm new to reefing (had my 35g for about a year) and prefer to keep things simple, but also find that I am busier than I would like when it comes time to manage the tank. Actually bought an ATO but don't use it 'cause I don't want the hassle of setting up a secondary system in case the thing sticks on the "on" position; I now have a pump sitting in the RODI bucket and plug it in when I want to top off. No dosing system; manual dosing of Calc, Mag. and Alk. But again, I do this when I get around to it, rather than regularly which seems a necessary thing to keep a healthy and vibrant tank.

Any recommendations for a scaled-down, inexpensive but reliable tank controller for a simple soft coral LPS tank?

Betucker · May 14, 2016

patsheridan said:
I'm new to reefing (had my 35g for about a year) and prefer to keep things simple, but also find that I am busier than I would like when it comes time to manage the tank. Actually bought an ATO but don't use it 'cause I don't want the hassle of setting up a secondary system in case the thing sticks on the "on" position; I now have a pump sitting in the RODI bucket and plug it in when I want to top off. No dosing system; manual dosing of Calc, Mag. and Alk. But again, I do this when I get around to it, rather than regularly which seems a necessary thing to keep a healthy and vibrant tank.

Any recommendations for a scaled-down, inexpensive but reliable tank controller for a simple soft coral LPS tank?

ReefKeeper Lite?