Christian Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 I'm looking at differnt systems set ups of my sps aquarium. I want to know what people thoughts are on automating systems and complete control of the aquarium via aquarium controllers and who has used or is use them on their current system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolt Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 I am one of the couple of people here who use reef angel. RA is not for everyone, not by a long shot. I know lots of others use Apex. I can't imagine keeping SPS without automation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 just about a necessity for SPS heavy systems. I use an apex, but if youre a masochist or an engineer you can you a reef angel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 5, 2014 Author Share Posted December 5, 2014 I am one of the couple of people here who use reef angel. RA is not for everyone, not by a long shot. I know lots of others use Apex. I can't imagine keeping SPS without automation.How different is the RA from apex? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Apex here. Same as above, I couldn't imagine keeping an SPS-dominant tank long-term without a controller of some sort. You can get by for awhile but it only takes one moment to nuke the whole setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 5, 2014 Author Share Posted December 5, 2014 That's cool, I'll have to look into the RA more I like the codeine part. Can it also be setup for iPhone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 5, 2014 Author Share Posted December 5, 2014 Well that's good to know. What probes do you guys run on your tanks? Do you control your lights too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Ph and temp probe... and yes, I control my lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 I control Lights, and Calcium Reactor. Heater. 2 PH probes, ORP, and Temp Probes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 6, 2014 Author Share Posted December 6, 2014 Can you contrl any lights? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I have Build my led. I ramp them and dim them Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 6, 2014 Author Share Posted December 6, 2014 Well it looks like most people use the apex for its simplicity. Witch I find really nice. I guessi just have to come up with the 900 price tag for the apex system Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reburn Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 There are quite a few of us that use reef keepers. Digital aquatics new system the archon is shaping up to be really nice. I think lenver is beta testing one. I ordered one for my new tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 6, 2014 Author Share Posted December 6, 2014 Do you have a link to their site? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reburn Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Google digital aquatics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo662 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I've only used the apex. I got it just before Fusion was launched so had to learn some of the programming. Now with Fusion it's so much easier and the fact it's cloud based you just log into you unit from any browser. I don't even have my little display connected any longer...it's all online now. You can get the apex jr for most basic stuff and upgrade as you want / need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolt Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Not sure if you were asking questions about the reef angel or not. Just in case: - I control my Kessil A360We lights just fine with the RA - I have the wireless adaptor, and yes there is a phone app that can manage basic things like tell you what all your probes are reading and turn relays on off, no fancy charting in the app though - In general I think the Apex looks cleaner as far as wiring and overal polish of the hardware packaging, etc - You can get by without doing C programming, barely, but if you want to do anything special you gotta write code I think for most people it is not a good fit, but if you are a tinkerer you might like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 6, 2014 Author Share Posted December 6, 2014 I all great advice thank you. I think im king to go with the apex or the archon that is to come out soon.just beaches its a lot cleaner looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bpb Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Apex here. I could not imagine keeping an sps dominated tank without one. Not necessarily the apex, but automation. Automated ca/alk supplementation, temperature control, topoff, light dimming. All can be done with individual controllers for the same result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckyuv Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I use apex. I have thought about selling it but it's really a cool thing. I've never been able to get the ph probe working but the temp and timers are sweet. I've been out of the country for a little bit now and it controls my temp, Dosers, lights, fish feeder and mp10. Im pretty confident the tank will be ok when I get back, if not I'll sell the apex and get new corals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I asked a bunch of questions a while back. You may find some answers in that thread. http://www.austinreefclub.com/topic/31018-what-can-a-controller-really-do/ I have been on the fence for some time. I don't dose or run many fancy gadgets so I've always weighed the cost benefit of a controller. People do some amazing things with them though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnKoto Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I use Apex and love it. The ApexFusion functionality is really the game changer for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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