Do You Keep a Backup Aquarium Controller?

[robbyg]

Ever since I went fully automated I have been nervous about a controller breakdown. After ten years nothing on my Aquatronica died except the normal items like pH and ORP probes. Then 5 years ago I got there latest model controller and thankfully it was a drop in replacement. Last year I finally bought a complete spare kit. Now I have spares of everything on my tank.

For new aquarium owners the first spare you should have is a return pump and some plumbing supplies. After that I suggest buying what you can afford as the years go by. You will never appreciate a spare item until the day you really need it..

 

[User1]

You will never appreciate a spare item until the day you really need it..

For those of you with cars or trucks...consider it similar to a spare tire

 

[ectoaesthetics]

No. However I do have backup dosing pumps, heater, circulation pumps, RO top off pump, among other things.

I remember Sanjay back in the day stating that he absolutely loved controllers but did not let them automatically control anything in his tank. He uses alerts then he decides what actions to take. I have alerts setup and use it to monitor. I can still control things from afar, but my controller does not think for me. As a result if it takes a dive my tank will be fine so long as the power bank doesn’t just shut off.

Not sharing this as “should do” advice simply articulating why I don’t have a huge need for a backup.