"controllers"

Hey guys. First off, I want to thank everyone who has answered all of my stupid questions. eventually, I will run out!

My question today is on controllers. I understand they can monitor temp, have a timer for lighting, pumps (possible wave controlling), skimmer and such but what else do they accomplish? I have my lights on a timer already and am thinking about buying a Vortech mp40 and already have a digital thermometer. I think I may be missing part of the benefit for someone such as myself to upgrade to this unit. Thank you for taking the time to help!

 

a controller can act as a fail safe for most the items that run your tank, they can cut power to items if the reading gets high or low, they text and email you when there is a problem, water hot, ph high or low, salt low or high, water on floor. so many things to mention that they do. well worth it of you ask me.

 

Redundancy mostly. The controller can monitor the tank temp and if it gets to the point were it starts frying fish (heater gets stuck on) it can shut off the heater and lights.

I would also use it to control the lights, if you just have a cheap lamp timer like i do. They fail easily.

 

What are the major difference in brands/series of controllers? It seems like to turn lights on and off and control temp that it wouldn;t have to be to fancy

 

There's small differences and some would say reliability can be a factor.

They are definitely worth it. It's near impossible to run down all the stuff they can do because different features will be useful to different people. It's safe to say that you will find some uses for it that nothing else can accomplish though.

 

I think you sold me. Now, how to hide this in the Vortech from my wife....

 

check out the vortech pump hider in my 120g I just got

 

You can even get a module that will control your Vortech. Change modes on a timer and such.

 

WXM module,

I have all my pumps kick up high when my high noon LEDs kick on.

I love my apex, apex > reefkeeper.

Its more complicated to program but worth not being so limited.

my 120g

 

plus K! that thing is rad!