Should I get a controller?

[ranchhand02]

I am debating on if I should get a controller for my tank or not. I currently have a JBJ nano cube 28 gallon that I have a rapid LED retrofit kit installed in the hood. I have a single Jaebo controllable powerhead in the tank. I have mostly LPS in the tank, but I have a couple of SPS frags in there also. I currently only have two clownfish in the tank. I am looking at an Apex junior for the tank, but I am not sure if I need it or not. I don't think there would be a way to control the lights of the tank other than turning them on and off. I was thinking of using the apex to turn the lights on and off, turn on a fan if the temp in the tank gets to high, and turn off the heater in the event of a failure. I am currently using the programmable power strips to turn my lights on and off with. Do you think I should invest in a controller or not? I have never used a controller, but I like the idea of being able to look at all of my tank parameters from my phone. Thanks

 

[Scottsquatch]

They can be handy for turning things on and off and monitoring, that's for sure. However, I think everybody should "get the feel" of the basics first. I have kept several reefs in the past and I did purchase an apex for this build, but I am thinking I may get the feel of this reef before I start using the apex. I don't want to depend on it so much that I lose the feel and instincts of maintainig a system manually. Does that make any sense to you, or am I just crazy?

 

[Gareth elliott]

My 2 cents
2 items i believe all reefs should have:
ATO
Temperature controller
These 2 things controlled by some reliable means cover most tank crash causes.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ther...ICz6tHRSJVufkAlWpDZZ7X0tQvu6QhchoCyhYQAvD_BwE
Will accomplish what you want with temperatures.
For me the biggest advantage of a controller is.

leak detection when not home, and available programing to stop most leaks.