Tank Controller - The Right Choice for an NC28

[Flying Bones]

Ok, this tank thing is out of hand, but, you all know that, because you're already there.

 

In just a short amount of time, i've flooded my tank with pumps/lights/mp10 etc. It's only a matter of time before i'll be leaving home, and asking anyone to maintain this tank wouldn't be fair to them or my fish. What I mean by maintain is turn the right equipment on/off at the right times for day/night/feed etc. So it seems a tank controller is a necessary expense in my case. The trouble is, which one.

 

I'll need at least 5 outlets immediately.

 

Please offer your suggestions, I don't want too little, nor do I want to pay for more than is needed to maintain a NC28.

[nanotrevor]

REEFANGEL.COM

[jfarabaugh]

neptune apex lite

[Ls2Goat]

Digital aquatics reef keeper lite, get the LVL 2 unless you want the net version.

[jfarabaugh]

so just as I thought 3 people listed 3 different controllers.

 

I reviewed them all in detail and the Netupe Apex controllers have everything you need. #1 being the built in webserver with smart phone control out of the box. If you need to know the status of and be able to control your tank when you are not home (with out having to buy extra parts or have to write your own software) then the Neptune should be your choice IMHO

 

I have a Neptune Apex Lite and I am extremely impressed with it and what it can do

[nanotrevor]

ill play devils advocate...a neptune with the options you spoke of was like 499.99 on marine depot. a reefangel comes standard with 8 outlet relay, temp sensor, ph probe, 2 float switches, 2 pwm ports and for 100.00 theres a wifi module. so for like 300.00, you get all the same things the apex offers plus the ability to program the controller to do whatever you can think of. out of the box it is a fully functioning reef control. the controller does a little getting used to but there is a forum with tons of people willing to lend a hand, and the inventor roberto is always available. there is also another program written that allows someone with minimal knowledge of arduino code to tick boxes and it writes the code for you and u just upload it.

 

Reef Angel

[Flying Bones]

I'm not sure about needing a computer just to turn on Feed mode, which makes the neptune sketchy to me...Also, when looking on the reefangel forum I found some unanswered questions that users had, seems like a rought spot to be in.

 

The RKL is a bit simpler it seems, what are it's drawbacks? I don't really want to have to learn how to write code to run my controller, and I'd like someone to be able to feed with the touch of a button.

 

Net Access would be sweet, so would SMS or email alerts.

[Ls2Goat]

The only draw back to the RKL is that it only supports 4 modules, where as the RKE can handle 36.

The RKL headunit it extremely easy to use and you can update the firmware online and never touch the code yourself.

I dunno how you would set up a feeder on it, the RKL is a automated system more then anything. So you could set it up with a electronic feeder to activate at a specific time.

 

The RKL specs are below, each PC4 has 4 outlets.

Headunit Dimensions: 3.9" x 2.8" x 0.6"

Package Contents

ReefKeeper Lite Basic ($119.99)

  1 x RKL Head Unit

  1 x PC4 - Power Controller 4

  1 x DA iTemp Temperature Probe

  1 x SID - System Interface Device

  1 x Programming Coupler

  4 x Mounting Screws

ReefKeeper Lite Plus ($279.99)

  1 x RKL Head Unit

  2 x PC4 - Power Controller 4

  1 x SL1 - System Lab 1

  1 x DA iTemp Temperature Probe

  1 x DA pH Probe

  1 x 7 pH Cal Solution

  1 x 10 pH Cal Solution

  1 x SID - System Interface Device

  1 x 6' Bus Cable

  1 x 3' Bus Cable

  1 x Programming Coupler

  8 x Mounting Screws

ReefKeeper Lite NET ($379.99)

  1 x RKL Head Unit

  2 x PC4 - Power Controller 4

  1 x SL1 - System Lab 1

  1 x NET - NET Interface Module

  1 x DA iTemp Temperature Probe

  1 x DA pH Probe

  1 x 7 pH Cal Solution

  1 x 10 pH Cal Solution

  1 x SID - System Interface Device

  1 x 6' Bus Cable

  1 x 3' Bus Cable

  1 x 1' Bus Cable

  1 x Programming Coupler

  1 x 7' CAT5 Ethernet Cable

  10x Mounting Screws

[wolfador]

REEFANGEL.COM

 

 

I was going to go with the Apex Jr. But the Reef Angel has really caught my eye. I am a Mac programmer by trade and I feel it would be a fun project.

[nanotrevor]

I was going to go with the Apex Jr. But the Reef Angel has really caught my eye. I am a Mac programmer by trade and I feel it would be a fun project.

 

yeah, if you have programming knowledge the skies the limit, well let me clarify the sketch size is the limit.

[Flying Bones]

If I was a Mac Programmer, i'd be more inclined to look at Reef Angel.

 

I'm leaning towards the RKL, w or w/o net.

 

Can anyone give reasons why I shouldn't get the RKL? The other hard decision is that by the time you buy the RKL Net, for $120 more you can get the elite w/net...This is tough.

[Ls2Goat]

If I was a Mac Programmer, i'd be more inclined to look at Reef Angel.

 

I'm leaning towards the RKL, w or w/o net.

 

Can anyone give reasons why I shouldn't get the RKL? The other hard decision is that by the time you buy the RKL Net, for $120 more you can get the elite w/net...This is tough.

 

The RKE is nice if you want to monitor multiple tanks if you just have then one the RKL would be ideal.

[Flying Bones]

OK, I only have one tank, no intentions of having more other than a QT for a long time...hahaha, yea right. Ok, well, still looking to see if anyone has negatives about the RKL. I prolly will just do RLK+ for now since I don't have a good way to get an ethernet cable to my tank.

[Asureef]

OK, I only have one tank, no intentions of having more other than a QT for a long time...hahaha, yea right. Ok, well, still looking to see if anyone has negatives about the RKL. I prolly will just do RLK+ for now since I don't have a good way to get an ethernet cable to my tank.

 

 

If you get an Apex lite, you can purchase a small wifi repeater for under $40 on amazon. This way, you will not have to run Ethernet cables from the router to the controller. And, going into feed mode can be easily done with the display module. It also comes with EB8, which is 8 programmable outlets.

[nanotrevor]

id say go with the rkl+, easier to setup than the reefangel and will do all the things a reef tank needs.

[Flying Bones]

id say go with the rkl+, easier to setup than the reefangel and will do all the things a reef tank needs.

Better choice than the neptune lite?

[nanotrevor]

this should help im pretty sure its a little old but the basics are there.

[Ls2Goat]

this should help im pretty sure its a little old but the basics are there.

That site hasn't been updated since 2008 I doubt it has info on any of the newer ones.

[nanotrevor]

That site hasn't been updated since 2008 I doubt it has info on any of the newer ones.

 

it showed the rk and apex. not sure what has changed on the controllers, still monitors and does the same things it did in 2008. and since the intro of leds thats when they throw the new modules like alc and mlc i would assume the basic info is still pertinent.

 

but i bought the reefangel, best bang for my buck granted there was a learning curve but now i would not trade it for anything.

[Ls2Goat]

it looks like they stopped updating it shortly after the RKE was introduced and has no info on the RKL, and is a generation behind on the Apex.

 

No matter what he chooses a controller will make a big difference.

[Flying Bones]

Does the RKL have the ability to slowly turn on pumps?

[wolfador]

yeah, if you have programming knowledge the skies the limit, well let me clarify the sketch size is the limit.

 

Just ordered the ReefAngel kit. Looks like the wifi attachment is on backorder so I will work without that for now. Looks like they will also be adding a salinity probe soon, that will be nice.

[Flying Bones]

I was hoping that I'd have enough information to order for the labor day sales, but it appears i'm still not sure. At a price tag of $300-500 the savings aren't worth making a poor decision. Darn.

[anseK]

I was hoping that I'd have enough information to order for the labor day sales, but it appears i'm still not sure. At a price tag of $300-500 the savings aren't worth making a poor decision. Darn.

 

 

I'm an extremely happy Apex Lite owner. Let say that if you want a very inexpensive solution the Apex Jr is the way to go. With the built-in web interface you will never miss the display unit. I use my iPhone to check status and to turn things on and off. I can't tell you how many times that has saved me when my wife was at home alone with the tank. The ability to use the web interface to turn things on and off is why in choose the Apex Lite over the Reef Keeper and it was the right decision. The Reef Keeper is a well built product but the Apex (Lite or Standard) just hits all th right spots. Then Reef Angel looks promising as well but if you go with the Apex Lite or Apex you will not regret it.