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Ten to fifteen years ago, in the “dark ages” of aquaria, hobbyists had few options when it came to aquarium automation.
The amount of lighting my aquariums received back then depended on when I remembered to turn the lights on and off. Some days my tanks would receive as little as two hours per day; other days, up to fourteen hours.
This kind of inconsistency will simply not do in today’s reef aquaria.
Fortunately, we now have a veritable arsenal of controllers and timers available to us. From a simple light timer to the most advanced all-in-one monitor/controller, these innovations in aquarium technology can save us time, money and often provide more accurate monitoring than traditional testing methods.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the more important parameters aquarium controllers can monitor along with the equipment they are capable of controlling. That way, you’ll me better informed once you’re ready to purchase an aquarium controller of your own.
1. LIGHTING
The most commonly controlled (or automated) devices in aquariums are lights.
A simple mechanical timer is the easiest way to turn aquarium lights on and off to create a solar cycle. Adding (lunar) moonlights to this setup will provide a full 24-hour effect.
More advanced timers take this cycle a step further. By altering start and stop times, seasonal changes can be recreated … including the 28-day lunar cycle and the 365-day solar cycle. In fact, many hobbyists and professionals credit this natural cycle for stimulating spawning in corals and reef fish.
2. TEMPERATURE
The temperature of a captive reef is the most important variable to monitor and control. In the wild, temperatures do not vary more than a degree or two over the course of a year. Large fluctuations in temperature can stress aquarium inhabitants, potentially leading to sickness and even death.
Most heaters and chillers nowadays are equipped with single-stage controllers that turn on and off the devices as needed. Of course, a dual-stage temperature controller is an even better option. Dual-stage controllers monitor and control heaters and chillers (or fans) simultaneously to allow even more precise control.
3. pH
The power of Hydrogen is a calculation between the ratio of Hydrogen ions (H+) and Hydroxide ions (OH−). It measures the acidity or basicity of a solution on a scale of 1 to 14, with a value of 7 being neutral. Anything below 7 is acidic; anything above is basic.
Proper pH levels are vital to the health of a reef aquarium and its inhabitants. It is best to keep your pH between 8.1 and 8.4.
Understanding pH can also make you a better reef keeper. For instance, you can use this insight to properly adjust the output of a calcium reactor. This is actually why more advanced pH controllers include 2 pH probes: one to monitor the main display tank, the other to control a reactor.
4. ORP
Oxidation-Reduction Potential is a measurement of how well your aquarium system oxidizes contaminants. In short, how effective is your filtration?
Natural sea water has an ORP (measured in milliVolts, mV) between 300 and 450, so you should strive to maintain these values. Oxygen can be depleted if ORP gets too low and algae blooms often take over. If ORP gets too high, the flesh of your aquarium inhabitants can quite literally burn, starting with the most sensitive areas (gills, eyes, etc.).
The easiest way to maintain ORP is make sure your filtration is adequate and do not overfeed. Should this not be enough, an ORP controller can monitor and control oxidizing equipment like a UV sterilizer or ozone generator.
Since certain animals are sensitive to levels above 400mV, it’s best to conduct some research on the specific needs of your livestock before altering your aquarium’s ORP.
5. WATER CIRCULATION
There are countless benefits to having good water flow in your aquarium.
Adequate water flow should circulate aquarium water to and from filtration equipment, limit the amount of detritus that settles at the bottom, oxygenate water, remove excess nutrients and reduce stress levels in many fish.
Controllers can create a random flow to mimic the ocean. Many can also be programmed to recreate tidal and wave patterns that match specific ecosystems. Creating the most natural environment possible for your animals is responsible reef keeping.
WHICH CONTROLLER IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Good question. The answer, of course, depends on what you want/need it to do.
The chart accompanying this article compares some of the better all-in-one controllers currently available and may help narrow your selection. I have personally used five of the six controllers compared, with the exception being the ELOS Biotopus. It’s still out of my price range (for now) but I’ve heard it’s worth every penny. Of the remaining five, each has its strong points as well as a room for improvement. All are easy to program, taking only minutes to get accustomed to the setup instruction. Here are my thoughts on each:
- AquaController Jr.
A great entry-level controller. It is capable of using 40 timers on 12 outlets along with monitoring pH and temperature. Since this is an entry-level controller, the AC Jr. cannot monitor ORP.
- AquaController III
The AC III is a step up from the AC Jr. It is capable of controlling multiple aquariums, utilizing 100 timers with a maximum of 48 outlets. It monitors and controls aquarium temperature, pH and ORP.
The AC III also has an Ethernet port for direct connection to the Internet. This useful feature gives you the freedom to monitor and control your aquariums from anywhere there is a web connection. There is even an AC III iPhone app available so you can control your tanks from a mobile device.
- AquaController III Pro
The AC III is bigger and better than its little brothers. It has all the capabilities of the AC III, plus salinity and dissolved Oxygen control. It runs up to 80 outlets using 160 timers.
- Reef Keeper Lite
The RKL is entering the market as of this writing. It is a competitively priced entry-level controller from Digital Aquatics. Temperature control is built in and pH and ORP may be added by way of an SL1 module. As a low priced entry-level device, it is limited to 4 modules (PC4s, SL1s and MLCs).
- Reef Keeper Elite
For more flexibility than the RKL, try the RKE. It monitors/controls temperature, pH, ORP, salinity and dissolved Oxygen. The RKE runs up to 63 timers and 63 modules, giving the user a seemingly endless number of options. The RKE and the RKL can both be flush-mounted into a stand to create a sleek, modern look. |
|
AquaController
Jr. |
AquaController
III |
AquaController
III Pro |
ReefKeeper
Lite |
ReefKeeper
Elite |
Elos Biotopus
II |
| Display Size |
2x16 LCD |
2x16 LCD |
4x20 LCD |
2X16 LCD |
128x64 Graphical |
4x20 LCD |
| I/O Ports |
1 |
2 |
4 |
No |
Yes (5 per SL1) |
1 |
| PC Connection |
RS232 |
RS232/Built-in Ethernet |
RS232/Built-in Ethernet |
USB |
USB |
RS232 |
| Temp Control |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| pH Control |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| ORP Control |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Salinity Control |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Dissolved Oxygen
Control |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
| Float Switch (Qty) |
1 |
up to 2 |
up to 4 |
2 per SL1 module |
2 per SL1 module |
1 |
Alarms
(Visual/Audible) |
Yes (A/V) |
Yes (A/V) |
Yes (A/V) |
Yes (A/V) |
Yes (A/V) |
Yes (A/V) |
| Max # of Timers |
40 |
100 |
160 |
16 |
63 |
43 |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes (optional NET module) |
No |
| Web Server Control |
Yes (with the full version of AquaNotes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Possible in the future |
No |
Custom Design
HTML Pages |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Possible in the future |
No |
| Email Alarms |
Yes (with the full version of AquaNotes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes (via SMS) |
| Power Failure Alarm |
No |
Yes (Audible or Email) |
Yes (Audible or Email) |
No |
No |
Yes (via SMS) |
Internal Battery
Backup |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Multi Aquarium
Compatible |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Password Protection
Display |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Seasonal Programs |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Moon Simulation |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (with optional MLC) |
Yes (with optional MLC) |
Yes |
Wave Generation
Capable |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Night Mode |
Programmable |
Programmable |
Programmable |
Yes |
Yes |
Programmable |
Alternate Power
Capable |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Optional Expansion
Ports |
None |
up to 24 probes and 42 digital inputs |
up to 24 probes and 42 digital inputs |
4 (total expansion modules) |
63 (total expansion modules) |
512 single power plugs can be chained + 2 I/O Ports |
Available Power
Bar Sizes |
8/4/4 Heavy Duty (all 115VAC) and 220V Expansion |
8/4/4 Heavy Duty (all 115VAC) and 220V Expansion |
8/4/4 Heavy Duty (all 115VAC) and 220V Expansion |
4 Plug 115V With built in IntellaStrip Auto Overload Shutdown |
4 Plug 115V With built in IntellaStrip Auto Overload Shutdown |
6 Plug 115V and 220V |
| Power Strip Max Qty |
3 |
6 |
10 |
4 |
63 |
2 or 3 depending on type |
Power Strip
Manual Override |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Power Strip
Max Amperage |
15 Amps |
15 Amps |
15 Amps |
15 Amps |
15 Amps |
15 Amps |
Variable Pump
Speed Capable |
Yes (optional) |
Yes (optional) |
Yes (optional) |
No |
No |
No |
| Feed Mode |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Soft Start |
Yes with DC8 |
Yes with DC8 |
Yes with DC8 |
Yes |
Yes |
--- |
Dimensions
(H x W x D) |
2.75" x 4.60" x 1.00" |
3.70" x 5.75" x 1.10" |
4.0" x 7.50" x 1.10" |
2.8" x 3.9" x .6" |
3.46" x 4.44" x 0.85" |
5.25" x 8.25" x 1" |
| Starter Kit Includes |
1 x Head Unit
1 x Temp Probe |
1 x Head Unit
1 x Temp Probe |
1 x Head Unit |
Level 1
1 x Head unit
1 x PC4(4 outlets)
1 x Temp Probe |
1 x Head Unit
2 x PC4(8 outlets total)
1 x SL1
1 x Programming Dongle
1 x pH Probe Kit
1 x Temp Probe |
1 x Head Unit
1 x Multiplug (5 outlets + Osmocontroller)
1 x pH Probe
1 x Temp Probe | |
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For people who dont have alot of knowledge this top part of your article is pretty good but leaves out alot of unanswered questions, then the chart mybe way to complicated for your new reef goers
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Approved: 2/21/2009
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Scott: It look like I owe you an apology. The prices were on the copy page of the ad.
Sincerely,
Garlon Frost
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Approved: 2/21/2009
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Well written, concise and informative. Appreciate all the detail in the chart below the article as well. With that much technical detail, it is unfortunate that prices werent listed as well. Even if SRPs [which certainly dont always reflect selling prices] were listed it would give the reader a cost reference point. Explaining how practical the large number of outlets, modules and timers were in a single, or maybe three large marine aquariums in a home would be helpful. Regards, Garlon Frost
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Approved: 2/21/2009
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Ok but too basic.
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Approved: 2/21/2009
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Wow, great article. Really helped make my decision on which controller I need.
Thanks,
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Approved: 2/18/2009
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