Trying to decide on a controller: need your help/experience

D

Double M

Hey all,

I'm still trying to decide on the best controller to meet my needs without breaking the bank!

Here's what I want to do:
1. Control lights (MH/T5's and moon led's)
2. Monitor/control temp: Turn on heaters if too cold and turn on fans as temp starts to rise and off lights (in stages) if the fans don't keep it cool enough--no chiller and no plans for one.
3. Dose: I have two Drew's pumps for dosing BRS two-part
4. Create some redundancy (somehow) with my JBJ ATO (both float switches in sump for back up)
5. Monitor Ph (perhaps with the goal of using, perhaps, using a kalk stirrer down the road or some more low-tech kalk in the topoff water type solution)
6. Wavemaker that works with Koralia's evo pumps (if I understand correctly, the newest ones have a bushing upgrade that prevents reverse flow. I doubt that I'll ever spring for vortechs or some of the other really nice/pricey powerheads).
8. Have the ability to set up a feeding program to turn off pumps
7. Ability to monitor/control from my Iphone and computer.
8. Maybe something else down the line, but I don't see myself dosing Ozone or having a Ca Reactor

Given those needs, I've been looking at Reef Keeper Elite or Neptune Apex, but am wondering if I can get by with the Lite or Jr versions of these controllers given my needs.

What do you guys think?
 
3. Dose: I have two Drew's pumps for dosing BRS two-part said:
The Apex will allow you much better control and accuracy of dosing since it can be programmed down to second's. You can get by with the APEX light but remember, the full version can be used to control(dim) LED's if you decide to go that route in the future. You could setup some cool profiles to mimic storm's etc, of course that would take multiple LED drivers and LED array's but would be sooo cool.

Cheers,
Click to expand...
 
Would it be viable to get the Apex Lite and then add modules over time to get near the level of apex functionality, given the 8 things I listed above as priorities in a controller?

Would I be able to do all the things I listed in the OP with the Lite and expansions or are some of them simply not possible?

Thanks!
 
@Double M wrote:
Would it be viable to get the Apex Lite and then add modules over time to get near the level of apex functionality said:
You can do everything you listed above with the Apex full or Lite version. The powerbar(EB8) it comes with has 8 outlets so keep that in mind also and you may need a breakout box for float switches etc. [smilie=smile.gif]

Cheers,
Click to expand...
 
I do have two lumatek dimmable 400/250 watt ballasts that I wasn't really planning on using the dimming feature, but I guess if I went with the full Apex, I could set it up to simulate sun rise and sunset a bit more naturally than otherwise.

Does that sound like a possibility with the Apex and the Lumateks?

Thanks,
 
the variable outlets on the apex basically can only control dimmers that run a 0-10volt variable control. the lumateks use a different way to control its ballast so it would be a no go. I would do the full apex because in the long run adding the modules would be more expensive. having the 2 probe ports and the variables built in also saves clutter. But budget is what your on and if your wanting to save money now the Lite is a good option too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top