help me chose a controller

[TommyP]

What's up MR?

I recently got a 75 gallon that I am going to be setting up, currently I have a 55 gallon tank. I have 2 dial timers that I have my LEDs plugged in to. These are my lights. They are already dimmable.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-120W-mari...142?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53fc323bee

I have my skimmer, heater, fuge light, return pump, Jabao wp-25, and ATO from autotopoff.com

I was wondering since I already have the lights on timers, and the ATO is already set, what the major benefit for me would be by getting a controller?

If so, I would love for it to read salinity and pH. What else do I really need to keep an eye on more constantly that a controller could give me?

The girlfriend is looking to get me an "anniversary" gift, so I threw the idea out there. She basically said, tell me which one you want. There's so many different ones I don't know where to start.

Thanks

 

[thirty6]

I like the idea of monitoring tank while your away from it, imo one of controllers best features. I just got back from vaca. Was gone a week and when i got home powerhead was off and so was return pump.... And no i dont have a controller setup or i would known about it and made arrangements to rectify problem.

 

[TommyP]

I like the idea of monitoring tank while your away from it, imo one of controllers best features. I just got back from vaca. Was gone a week and when i got home powerhead was off and so was return pump.... And no i dont have a controller setup or i would known about it and made arrangements to rectify problem.

I thought of that too. Whenever I take a vacation or wondering if my tank is okay when I'm at work.

 

[Thavngr98]

I have the Reef angel and couldn't be happier. Great community and easier then people make it out to be to configure. If interested you know how to get a hold of me.

 

[thirty6]

I have the RA too scared of it its still in the box

 

[Thavngr98]

I have the RA too scared of it its still in the box

LOL Don't be scared. the basics can all be done in the wizard easily. Once you wasn't custom code go to the forums. they are great. Roberto the RA admin and Lee (from MR) are great with helping.

 

[lnevo]

Yeah man, let's get you going!!! Install the software and run through the wizard. Hook it up dry and we'll get you going!!!

 

[TommyP]

I was thinking about going towards Apex if I was going to get a controller. I like the look of it better. Any advice

 

[cmantis]

I like the RA but the only really annoying thing is that you have to buy the 'wifi' addon which is stupid because I don't need wireless. So I bought an old ACIII which will do everything I need for less than half the price.

 

[lnevo]

I like the RA but the only really annoying thing is that you have to buy the 'wifi' addon which is stupid because I don't need wireless. So I bought an old ACIII which will do everything I need for less than half the price.

You don't have to buy wifi. It's an option, although recommended, you can certainly get by without it. All depends on what you want/need to do.

 

[cmantis]

You don't have to buy wifi. It's an option, although recommended, you can certainly get by without it. All depends on what you want/need to do.

I need it to connect to the internet but don't need wireless. It should have an ethernet connection though its so cheap its kind of stupid it doesn't. That is what annoys me.

 

[lnevo]

It cam connect to internet without the wifi although you do need a windows machine connected to it. And there are DIY ethernet options... Most people have wifi these days...you see plenty of apex users hooking up gaming adapters to get wireless. Its actually one of the reasons I ended up going the RA route actually. A wired connection was not an option for me.

 

[viplok]

freaking apex all the way.!! everything is good about it except for price :/. reef angel is okay but you might need alite more knowledge in coding . both have somewhat a learning curve to it. buy once u get a hang of it you can't go wrong with either

 

[cmantis]

It cam connect to internet without the wifi although you do need a windows machine connected to it. And there are DIY ethernet options... Most people have wifi these days...you see plenty of apex users hooking up gaming adapters to get wireless. Its actually one of the reasons I ended up going the RA route actually. A wired connection was not an option for me.

This is actually why I didn't get it I already set up a wireless bridge for my neptune which connected via cat5 so no need for wireless. Sure it would have been nice but for the added cost wasn't worth it.

 

[vder]

I have an Apex and it runs my tank fine. Able to see whats going on when away.