reef angel

[reefwreck]

anyone use reef angel controller?

 

[madweazl]

I have a RA+ on a 75g and will likely be using a Star on the 150g build.

 

[Deezill]

I am new to the controllers such as APEX, RA etc. I hear that APEX is great but I don't have 800 bucks how is RA? Would that be a viable cheaper version?

 

[User1]

I have a Reefangel+ that has controlled my 29 gallon biocubes and later the current 40 that I combined them into. Works great and lots of nice features for on open source ecosystem. I don't control much with it I guess compared to some of the others using the same system but in short it manages, very well I might add:

1. Wireless access
2. Dimming expansion
3. Weather (cloud and storm)
4. Temps
5. Power heads and random wave patterns

I've switched to Apex recently on the 210 gallon upgrade that the 40 will move into within a month. The cycle just finished or so it looks judging by todays tests but I'm still finishing up the lighting. Once that is complete I'll move the 40 over and will be using the Apex moving forward. I may keep the reefangel to control the DIY LED multi-channels I have although I may just let the Apex manage that as well. If I keep the RA to do the existing lighting it will give me more control over the green/lime spectrum on the chips since there are 13 each - otherwise I'll need to buy an expansion on the Apex...

The Reefangel is a good product all in all with some really smart people on their forums. If you are not good at coding or taking examples and trying stuff on your own it wouldn't be a good solution I think. Only other thing I would recommend is look at the base offering and components (which are pretty good) and then compare that to the other controller(s), then see what options you need, and maybe that will guide you. I know the initial price of say an Apex is high once you add up other features in other brands you may come out even.

 

[mav3rick478]

I just put a used RA+ online a few days ago. And I used an Apex for a little bit before the brain died. The RA+ was my first choice for a controller just because a friend had one running, price point was good and they are actually local to me but got my hands on an Apex in a trade for some corals beforehand. So between the 2, the Apex is more polished and refined visually but keep in mind that they are trying to tie you into all their products and ecosystem. Which is great whenever you add any of their hardware like DOS, COR and when Trident releases but that comes with a price tag ie. Apple. And think of when one of those items does have a problem especially the brain you're SOL.

So far I'm liking the RA+, of course I'm only controlling my dosing pump and heater for now but once I get my new build up and running it will be transferred to that tank and will monitor more things like ph, salinity and water levels and probably control powerheads depending on what I get. Like mentioned above if you like coding and following examples that are provided by other users on their forum it's great but that's even how Apex is too. They just seem to hide the code from you more. To me the RA is more than capable to handle almost everything an Apex does it's just not as visually appealing but in the end all the components will be in a cabinet anyway and the on screen handling is just personal preference. Their forum is very helpful and Roberto the owner is always around to answer questions too.

Just my 2¢

 

[TheEngineer]

I’ve been running a reef angel for almost 10 years. It has come a long way. I had one of the original variants but I’m using a plus now. The star version looks awesome! The RA has been rock solid for me. It hasn’t crashed, failed to get online, left a port stuck on, or any other nightmare. Support is pretty good albeit sometimes slow.

Only two parts have needed replacing: pH probe and temperature probe. I’m still using the original relay box from 10 years ago.

 

[TheEngineer]

I have a RA+ on a 75g and will likely be using a Star on the 150g build.

Please write a post about it if you do!

 

[madweazl]

The RA+ was the first controller I've used. I was a bit concerned with the "coding" aspect going in but with the setup wizard they have, it makes everything extremely simple. The wizard is fine for all of the basics (temp control, dimming, auto top off, lighting schedules, etc.; all the normal stuff). I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the controller; it has been up and running for about 20 months now and there hasn't been any issues (zero). The new Star is going on the 150g build we're setting up right now; I just don't see any value in the other controllers at this point. For what I need, the RA is perfect.

And the installs dont have to be ugly :)

Ok, so I got lazy with the dosing pumps and still havent run their cables behind the false wall like the rest...

 

[palmer]

I use RA+ 4 yrs now- first and only controller- love it

 

[RedneckReefer68]

I have been using the star for about a week now. ( My fiance surprised me with one)My first controller was a plus model. I wanted to see what the fuss was with the Apex. I hated it after using the RA+. I used it for a month and sold it and went back to the reef angel star my fiance got me.

 

[RedneckReefer68]

Info on the new Star

http://forum.reefangel.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6562

 

[reefwreck]

so the new star will do about same as apex just need to know code for programing?

 

[madweazl]

so the new star will do about same as apex just need to know code for programing?

All the RA products can do anything the Apex can do and literally anything you can dream up, provided you can code it. The Star integrates two more dimming ports and direct network access over the RA+ (Plus required a WiFi module).

 

[RedneckReefer68]

so the new star will do about same as apex just need to know code for programing?

The wizard will code so the basics for you and also at the end, before you compile the code for loading, will do some "if" coding. The old wizard didn't include the"if" coding.

 

[RedneckReefer68]

Here is some snap shots from my cell that I can manage the star away from home.

 

[reefwreck]

so it has wifi?

 

[RedneckReefer68]

so it has wifi?

No, It's cloud based... This is through my phone browser connecting to the cloud

 

[reefwreck]

can you wifi extender?

 

[mav3rick478]

can you wifi extender?

If you're asking if you can hard wire to a WiFi extender than the answer is yes.

 

[User1]

Just to reiterate - the wizard will be enough to get you up and running. However, if you want to do any form of tidal simulation or weather such has clouds or storms you will been to have basic understanding of Boolean login and some coding skills. Setting it up, plugging it in, probe calibration, etc - that is a no brainer just follow the directions. But once you start getting into some of the more advanced functionality you will need to pull up your favorite editor or Arduino editor, pull up your latest code, and start rolling your own. Or, if you are somewhat comfortable hit up the forums and see what others have done, copy it, and modify to your setup. I'm talking about:

Cloud simulation
Tides
Sunrise sunset
Change flow patterns throughout the day
Coral acclimation period and intensity
etc

It is a good product like I said - I have one and use it. I just wanted to make sure people know it is open source, will require some basic coding skills, and open to reading the forums to learn what others do. There are some smart people reading the forum who like to help. Personally speaking I enjoy after I see what others do and then try to adapt it to my tank. There is a certain satisfaction about it - almost like building something like a table or painting. Odd has it may sound.