whats a good controller

I really like my apex and their support is top notch. Could go with an apex jr to save a little money, what are you looking for it to do?

 

AJ will give you a screen full once he sea's this post(and thats the great thing about him). My very simple suggestion would be a Apex JR if you don't need more then 4 outlets and have a computer( smart phones a plus also). $149 and fully upgradeable. You use your computer as the interface. -Josh

 

Even the Apex Jr can be combined with many of the outlet things to have up to 16 ports available (according to the Apex dude at MACNA)

 

I'd look for an Aquacontroller Jr. Shouldn't cost too much, and it will do that for you.

 

Sounds like Apex junior might be right up your alley.  And Kylie is right you can add any module down the road to the junior so that will give you a good start.

 

New ones are pretty much going to all be the same price, Neptune has pretty much a price lock on them so you will be hard pressed to find a deal on a new one.   You could use your GIRS membership discount to AC&C to save a little bit not sure where you are located.

 

I like my ReefKeeper Lite.

 

I've been happy with my RKL as well. No complaints whatsoever other than maybe firmware upgrading. That is sort of annoying as you have to updated every module separately. This may not be so bad with a NET module, but I do not have one of those. I can't say how upgrading the APEX compares being that I have never had one. I've seen used RKL units for $50-$80. Can't beat that IMO!

 

I am looking at going open source and use a Reef Angel. They are built using an Audrunio mico processor. Cost is around $240 for the head unit. And he has built a bunch of add ons for it over the summer. Only down fall is the wait time as he personally builds them himself after purchase and then ships them. If you get to him soon enough he'll do custom programming for you as well.

www.reefangel.com

 

IF you want really simple, AC3s can be found on RC really cheap. Should be able to get head unit, 8 outlets, temp and pH probes for between $200 and $250 shipped. It requires that you learn a bit more programming, but not much. All in all, it's pretty easy and there's a great group of people willing to help noobs both here and on RC. If you want to take advantage of some of the other features like controlling variable speed pumps, LED dimming, use salinity probes, see more status information on the screen, etc, then you want to go Apex. If the variable speed stuff is not important to you, Apex Jr has everything except variable speed. Apex is good for those that don't want to learn as much programming. The basic stuff can be done with the built-in interfaces.

I can't comment on the RK line of controllers as I've never owned one. I can say that with the AC3, AC3 Pro, and all Apex generation Neptune controllers, they have a built in web interface. With the Apex, you can do virtually anything that you can do directly on the head unit with the web interface. With the AC3, it's a bit more limited. The web interface is an add-on module with the ReefKeeper controllers. I think something like $75 to $100 last time I checked.

--AJ