Reefers not using a controller... - Page 2

Aquattro · #1 01-11-2009, 02:43 AM

I just can't see checking pH ten times a day. That would last for about a day, then I'd feel I wasted money on a silly controller when I ould have bought more corals!
In 2004 I had a full time pH meter. Every day it said somewhere between 7.9 an 8.4. yup, right where I want it. If pH gets too far out of this range, you're going to know it by your corals behaviour.
Temp, same thing. Set your good quality heaters, check them monthly to ensure they're working, temp is going to stay stable.

JDigital · #2 01-11-2009, 02:48 AM

I quit testing pH after 4-5 tank setups in this house... it has always been 8.3 on the button every test.. haha..

GreenSpottedPuffer · #3 01-11-2009, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDigital

I quit testing pH after 4-5 tank setups in this house... it has always been 8.3 on the button every test.. haha..

Yup so is mine. Never leaves 8.2-8.5 but I like the fact that it will warn me if it does (alarm), or that if my tank ever overheats, it will warn me and start shutting off lights one at a time. Like that it turns my fans on and off and keeps the temperature right at 79-80.5, I like that turns some of my powerheads off at night. I like that it turns my pumps off at feeding time and if I forget to turn them back on it does it for me...and on and on.

IMO they are well worth the money and I still can't imagine not using one.

moldrik · #4 01-11-2009, 03:09 AM

Grats on getting it working again. Good to hear that something turned out ok.

GreenSpottedPuffer · #5 01-11-2009, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I just can't see checking pH ten times a day. That would last for about a day, then I'd feel I wasted money on a silly controller when I ould have bought more corals!
In 2004 I had a full time pH meter. Every day it said somewhere between 7.9 an 8.4. yup, right where I want it. If pH gets too far out of this range, you're going to know it by your corals behaviour.
Temp, same thing. Set your good quality heaters, check them monthly to ensure they're working, temp is going to stay stable.

Thats where your wrong. If you have a controller its simple to check all the time. Its just habit. I see it from my couch. I don't purposely walk over and check it.

Aquattro · #6 01-11-2009, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Thats where your wrong. If you have a controller its simple to check all the time. Its just habit. I see it from my couch. I don't purposely walk over and check it.

My point is it's probably always the same. So why check? A healthy tank with happy corals always has proper pH. I see my corals from the couch, more enjoyable, to me, than a controller

Some people like the technology though, so fill yer boots!

don.ald · #7 01-11-2009, 03:39 AM

what brand of controller?

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

How are you doing it???

Mine fell into a bucket of saltwater and is busted. I really can't afford to replace it right now (although I may have to) and the thought of not using one seems scary!

I guess I can get light timers for the lights, have my fans come on with the lights (although I hate that idea...they should come on and off based on temperature, not light times)...

But what about monitoring PH, temperature, ect. ? Do you guys seriously do that like twice daily manually??? I can't imagine doing that! I check my Ph and temperature about 10 times a day on my controller...LOL

Just seems like this is the heart of the system and I have no idea what to do from here.

Any advice?

Johnny Reefer · #8 01-11-2009, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

.... Mine fell into a bucket of saltwater and is busted. ...

How does a multi-use controller fall into a bucket of saltwater? Aren't these things usually permanently mounted somewhere? Like under the stand

?

GreenSpottedPuffer · #9 01-11-2009, 04:32 AM

Nevermind...I should just be quiet

untamed · #10 01-11-2009, 05:32 AM

While I do happen to use my controller to monitor tank pH, I realize that this is largely unimportant. The key here is that the controller is just monitoring...not doing anything with the tank pH. It also monitors ORP, which is also meaninglessly interesting.

What I DO use the controller for is heater and pH control of my CA reactor. If not for the controller, I would be purchasing a temp controller and pH controller anyway because I can't imagine running a tank/Ca reactor without those two things. Heater thermostats are too unreliable.

Then...since the controller is there...I also use it to control dosing pumps on the CA reactor and Kalk reactors. It also controls the lighting cycle of the refugium.

Oh yes, It also text msgs me when any parameter goes beyond limits or a power failure happens. I can also make adjustments over the web to anything the controller has control over.

I couldn't run the tank without one. I learned that briefly when mine broke. Lesson learned, I now have a backup unit in case my unit fails again.