Mike7744
Active Member
I have a 125 gal aquarium, i like the idea of a aquarium controller but not sure how this would best suit me. Since I only have a Fowler tank. What things should I monitor or control? Would it just be a waste of money?
How can i best use a aquarium controller
- Thread starter Mike7744
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jmcdona6
Active Member
Probably a waste of money.
Things that can kill your fish:
(1) Temperature. Tons of low cost temperature monitoring solutions out there.
(2) Salinity. Salinity monitoring is notoriously poor on controllers. Probably better just to test occasionally.
(3) Water quality. Its pretty costly to get into automated nutrient testing. Also being FOWLR you have a much wider range of acceptable. Probably just better to test occasionally.
None of those things would sell me.
I guess then you look at convenience. Having everything in one app vs a bunch of standalone options. I can put up with a dozen apps on my phone to save $400-600.
Leak detection? Third party options as well...but nice to have it integrated. Like if you detect a leak, turn off all the pumps type situation.
If you have a larger tank maybe the ability to do automatic water changes...but that's a whole other can of worms.
Things that can kill your fish:
(1) Temperature. Tons of low cost temperature monitoring solutions out there.
(2) Salinity. Salinity monitoring is notoriously poor on controllers. Probably better just to test occasionally.
(3) Water quality. Its pretty costly to get into automated nutrient testing. Also being FOWLR you have a much wider range of acceptable. Probably just better to test occasionally.
None of those things would sell me.
I guess then you look at convenience. Having everything in one app vs a bunch of standalone options. I can put up with a dozen apps on my phone to save $400-600.
Leak detection? Third party options as well...but nice to have it integrated. Like if you detect a leak, turn off all the pumps type situation.
If you have a larger tank maybe the ability to do automatic water changes...but that's a whole other can of worms.
n2585722
2500 Club Member
I use the Hydros system on my tank. I started using it a little over 4 years ago. The first of the controllers I setup in my garage where my mixing station and RODI unit is at. I had another controller at the time so I started with it out there and slowly replaced the other controller of the years. If you click on the "My Tank Thread" banner on one of my post and the goto page 6 post # 119. That is the start of my Hydros journey. One of the first things I transferred was ATO. The ATO and AWC pumps are also in the garage. Now the whole tank is controlled by my Hydros system. So from the first post about it to the end of the thread the Hydros info is spread out. I would post when new features were introduced and how I put them to use. Let me know if you have questions.
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