How do you "control" your reef tank?

[KevinK]

Originally Posted by TJSlayer

I just recently purchased the the Reefkeepr Lite from J&L with an extra power bar, this give 8 controllable outlets, plus can be expanded on. Good economical way to get started, and they offer a great upgarde path to their elit controller if you wish to get all the bells and whistles down the road (That has to be done through them though)

Haven't recieved it yet, but have been thinking about one for many months.

I will not put everything on the controller, just lights, heater (as a backup) and probably some pumps. Skimmer, fuge light, reactor pumps and refugium pump will be on a regular power bar. But in time may decide to bump those up as well.

Not the fanciest controller around but a economical alternative to give you a start...

TJ

I have the same.

one thing to remember is that one bar can handel I think 15 A,

this in terms means that in case you want to control lots from one bar (lights + heater and pumps) you need a aditional bar to spread the load.

the other thing I found out is that on the 4 outlet bar, the left and right outer outlet can handel lots, the 2 middel can only handel 300W each. + in case you plug in a small pump / dosing unit into the middel 2 outlets, it could get stuck in the on position after it should get off.

the 2 middle outlets cant handel small loads ( 4 to 20W) so in case you plug in a dosing pump, also pit in a normal light bulp of 40W ore so, to increse the Wattage you draw when it is on, otherwise it wil stay on, and your dosing is badly mest up.!!

if you keep the above things in mind, nnoting wrong, and great for when you want to grow in the future, but dont want to spend it all at once

[Piscez]

I'm a noob, and a cheap one at that! So I use 3 Digital timer bars for my lights ( actinics, daytime, night LEDS), a tunze osmolator for my top off and everything else I do manually ie water changes, testing etc.... works for me and helps me to learn more about this fantastic hobby.

[rayjay]

Well so far in my 17 years of reefing, I've progressed some time ago to using timers for the lighting to come on and go off. I'm not anticipating going any further as I prefer more tanks to more money going to accessories.