Controller?

[OscarFan76]

I'm considering a controller but I'm wondering if they are worth the cash.

If you think they are worth it, which controller do you recommend?
I see they monitor ph and temp. What are the other benefits?

Thanks.

 

[Mrc8858]

I'm not running one yet so don't wanna point you towards any specific controller but one good reason to run one is if setup they can send you a txt/email if there's ever a leak/flood. Also from your phone you could shut down the pumps

 

[MikeYQM]

I run a Profilux & can't imagine not having it.

Temp control to within .5 degrees
Ph, conductivity (salinity monitoring)
ATO function
Auto water changes (1% daily)
Control of equipment from home or away
Pump & light control (if equipped)
4 pumps of dosing

Tons of benefits and the only downside is expense

 

[OscarFan76]

Whoa daily water changes? That is awesome. I will check out that brand. Do you premix the salt for the daily wc?

I already run an ato so not much benefit there.

 

[MikeYQM]

I premix salt once a month or so, then the controller does the rest.

 

[Mrc8858]

I premix salt once a month or so, then the controller does the rest.

+1 with a controller it will pretty much automate your entire setup except for making new water and trimming back your coral ... Point being if its in your budget then its a must have (doesn't fit my budget just yet so I'm still caring for my tank manually lol)

 

[OscarFan76]

Wow. That is awesome. It looks like vividaquariums has the price for the 3ex Mega at 1200. That is a bit out of my budget. I was hoping for a $500 range controller.
It would be sweet to automatic water changes though.

 

[Mrc8858]

Wow. That is awesome. It looks like vividaquariums has the price for the 3ex Mega at 1200. That is a bit out of my budget. I was hoping for a $500 range controller.
It would be sweet to automatic water changes though.

If you plumb your system correctly you can still make the water changes very easy by having a few valves to divert the water out of the tank with a holding tank for saltwater plumbed into the system so you can turn on a pump and send the new water into the tank but even with automatic water changes you'll still want to do a manual change from time to time to clean up some debris