Should more reefers be using a controller?

[tigre44]

Im tech challenged also i had a problem programing my orphek light. I would like to see a preprogramed system that just covered the basic alk, ca, mg, sal, temp with option to modify parameters.

Wow. That is hardly a basic system. I know of no controllers that measure alkalinity & calcium and apply dosing or other environmental controls.

I’m dreaming I guess I think a bigger problem would be how to add chemicals to adjust without under or over shooting given all the different size tanks we all have

 

[Reef Jedi]

Just throwing this out. I think people would be better off if they learn how to care for a reef tank with out a controller before adding one. Often I see people asking about controllers and they don't even have a tank filled with water yet. To me that's like buying a high performance street rod when you don't even know how to drive yet.

Very well said and I absolutely agree! I reefed for 23 years before I went with an apex. I work a ton of hours and it’s the only way I can see what’s going on when I’m away. When I am home I really enjoy my reef.

 

[gkprevite]

I think controllers are cool. Personally I’m not a big tech guy. I use the controllers that come on the pumps and power heads, I have a single head doser for afr, heck I’m still running annalog timers and t5’s. Keeping things stupid simple has been a strength for me. I’m open to checking one out but i don’t feel the need to with my current setup

 

[Jimbo327]

Way too much money in the glass box to not have a controller.

 

[Koty]

@Katy
After reading your post, I perused some of your threads and read your “meet & greet” post:

“Hello everybody I just started (my tank cycle) about a month ago. I have a 420-lit total aquarium with a sump inc refuge. My aim is a reef tank. New to reefing but not to aquariums (used to grow black water Apistos). I am a scientist in Tel Aviv university Med school and I my field is cell biology. I actually work using fluorescent proteins (from jellyfish). I am fascinated by the challenge of having a modest sample of a reef at home. I also wonder how my strong background will contribute to my experience in reef keeping. this is my tank.”

AND, then I read your signature:

“Academic degree has never prevented anyone from remaining an idiot.“

Not knowing your age, I salute your wisdom and look forward to your future post.

As my signature testifies I had my share of very stupid mistakes from which I hopefully learned. I am 64 years old and since recently started a collaboration with a marine biologist. My reef tank and grandchildren are my points of sanity during the now three years ****storm in my country kidnapped by a bunch corrupt scumbags.
Thank you for the kind words. I feel that I am but a rookie compared to some of the reefing cannons in R2R.
.

 

[Biokabe]

Wow. That is hardly a basic system. I know of no controllers that measure alkalinity & calcium and apply dosing or other environmental controls.

An appropriately kitted Apex can do exactly that. I personally wouldn't recommend it, and not just because of the price tag - the elemental adjustments would rely on the Trident tester, which I personally don't consider reliable enough to actually drive a dosing program from.

But it could be done:

Apex
PM2 Salinity Module (depending on Apex model)
Salinity probe
ATK auto top-off
Trident auto-tester
DOS dosing pump

The Apex gets you PH and temperature monitoring, and heater control. Salinity probe stays on top of your salinity, and the ATO protects against evaporation-driven salinity swings (which is the leading cause of salinity drift). Trident gives you alk, ca and mg levels, and the DOS can be configured to dose according to what the Trident tests to maintain desired parameter levels. In theory, it's exactly what they want.

It's also somewhere around $2,000 to set up, and as I said before I don't think the Trident is reliable enough to drive a dosing program.