Help choose a controller for my 40 breeder

[MPevine11]

Looking for a controller for my 40 gallon breeder. It's drilled with a 20 long sump.

Equiptment:

4 t5 ho's
*2 blue plus
*2 aquablue spezial
Skimz monster sm121
Refugium
Mag 5
Cheap (powerheads for now)

In a couple weeks:

Vortech mp10
Tunze osmolator ATO
________ controller


Just trying to plan a controller.
I know there are a bunch of diffrent ones. So I guess my question is.......



What controller do you use?
What made you choose that conter?
What are your favroite features of it?

 

[toddhgr]

I use RKL and love it!!! I got it because of the price initially, but now I absolutely love it. The two biggest things that I like about rkl are the fact that you can add on modules as you need them and/or have the money. and also if/when you want step up to RKE all the modules will go with it and Digital Aquatics will give $50 to trade in the RKL head unit.

 

[evan.lundberg4]

I would also recommend the RKL. That's what I have and it works great for me. Basically second everything already stated. I'm not a super tech guy so it is the best fit for me.

 

[MPevine11]

Does the RKL (reef keeper lite)? Give the option if the tank is to hot to ******** the lights down? Or if the tem rises to a certain temp to power a certain outlet that would control some fans?

 

[higorc]

RKL, RKE and Apex all do that. That is a pretty standard option in all of them. I have a RKE (and pretty happy with it ), but if I was to do it all over I would get an Apex. Neptunes offers a little more options then Digital Aquatics....



Higor

 

[MPevine11]

What kind of other options does the apex offer?

 

[Pat02026]

Neither is really capable of much more than the other (in the full feature versions) however out of the box I'd prefer apex for it's user interface and built in net capability. I also use an RKl on my Qt system, and it's hard to beat it bang for the buck. It controls lights, skimmer, pump and temp out of the box. Add sl1 and you can do ATO and have backup temp probe and PH for ~$200. Good deal for a flexible setup. I just like the apex much more. I wouldn't run anything else on my main system, it's a worthwhile investment.

 

[higorc]

What kind of other options does the apex offer?

You can control a lot more pieces of equipment with the Apex. And the Apex has a better much more stable platform then Digital aquatics. Google it if you want, I just don't feel like going over the differences right now.

For starters the with the Apex you can control Echotech products and has a much better net module than the RKL/RKE. Really not an argument here...



Higor

 

[mbian112283]

I use RKL and love it!!! I got it because of the price initially, but now I absolutely love it. The two biggest things that I like about rkl are the fact that you can add on modules as you need them and/or have the money. and also if/when you want step up to RKE all the modules will go with it and Digital Aquatics will give $50 to trade in the RKL head unit.

Same for me.

 

[higorc]

I'd prefer apex for it's user interface and built in net capability.

I have had both RKL and RKE. But I guess you already have said it your self...


If you sum it up and look at the functionality/expand-ability of both controllers, both have the basic controls but Apex surpasses RKL/RKE with options in what you can actually control/hook up to it.





Higor

 

[jackd625]

Last month I made the jump from a rkl to reef angel.

Love the reef angel so far. If you're into computer stuff and diy there's tons of possibilities. If not you can just use the wizard and set it up nice and easy.

For the price of it and the potential i love it.

 

[myram]

I use a Reef Angel Plus, easy to program in basic mode. And since it's open source, you can really do anything with it.

I often think about selling it because I just don't use enough of it to really keep it. If you want, I could send you a list of what I have and a price.

Steve

 

[delta]

Get the APEX and be done with it!

 

[MPevine11]

Which apex would be best?
And what are the Mai differences between them?

 

[delta]

I wouldn't consider the APEX jr and the fact the Apex light is only 25 less than the full Apex then I would go for the Apex. It is fairly expensive but you will wonder how you ever lived without it.

But that is just me and I already made that mistake of trying to save a few bucks. Let me tell you it sucks to buy something only to sell it a month later and buy what you should have in the first place.

 

[MPevine11]

Could you post the link to the one I should buy?


Also I have like 8 or 9 things pluged In. Will I need any expansion strips or anything?

 

[higorc]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/apex-controller-with-lab-probe-neptune-systems.html

 

[Nanoreef15]

back to the basic question, what is it that you hope a controller can do for you?

if for just lightning and temperature. any controller would do the job fine. just go with what works best for your budget.
Unless you have a huge sophisticated setup. I think a $550 controller just for your setup is way toooooooooooo much.
If you have never own one, I would suggest go for the basic one. You can always upgrade or sell + buy a more expensive one later.
I am using just the basic Reef Keeper Lite on my 120g just to control the lightning and the temperature. I am happy just like this
I am not sure the purpose for using the controller to control pump, power heads...etc.

Talking about the osmolator. The osmolator auto top off itself is a controller. You do not need a separate controller like the reef keeper or the neptune.....

major of the people use the controller to control the temperature and control the lightning, top off and some use to control the ph.

hope this helps

 

[this is me]

I use my GHL Profilux controller to
-Control lights.
-Temperature with heater and fan.
-Skimmer turns off when return pump is turned off or when water in the sump hit the maximum allowed line
-ATO
-Dosing Alk, Ca, MG. Alarm with conductivity is too high in an event of overdosing.
-Alarm when display tank water level is above maximum allowed in an event of a clogged drain.
-Email me if anything that cause the alarm(Temps, Conductivity, PH, Level sensor).
-Turn off certain things when I'm working on the tank. Ie. waterchange or skimmer cleaning.
-Remote access. C'mon, who wouldn't want to know what's the tank is doing when they're in the other side of the globe.
-BRAGGING RIGHTS!!

 

[this is me]

I use my GHL Profilux controller to
-Control lights.
-Temperature with heater and fan.
-Skimmer turns off when return pump is turned off or when water in the sump hit the maximum allowed line
-ATO
-Dosing Alk, Ca, MG. Alarm with conductivity is too high in an event of overdosing.
-Alarm when display tank water level is above maximum allowed in an event of a clogged drain.
-Email me if anything that cause the alarm(Temps, Conductivity, PH, Level sensor).
-Turn off certain things when I'm working on the tank. Ie. waterchange or skimmer cleaning.
-Remote access. C'mon, who wouldn't want to know what's the tank is doing when they're in the other side of the globe.
-BRAGGING RIGHTS!!


I'm working on automated water change on my set up with the controller as well.