$300 controller, what can I get.

[BOKER420]

I want to get a controller for my tanks that are hooked to a common sump.

I want to spend around 300.00. I need it to control my heater and chiller. Also control my pH and lighting.

Having everything accessable online is not important.

Any suggestions? Do you like what you have or would you rather have purchased something else. Please let me know, I want to make the right choice the first time.
Thanks,
Bill

[checkinhawk]

heres what im gonna get http://www.digitalaquatics.com/

[crumbletop]

The main competitors in the $300 price range are:

1) AC Jr. (Neptune Systems)
2) ReefKeeper2 (Digital Aquatics)
3) Premium Aquatics Lighthouse (Premium Aquatics)

The AC Jr. is the most flexible, expandable, and customizable of the bunch. Here are some of the main points:

AC Jr.
Controls up to 12 channels (8 come with the basic setup)
Complex programming capability (multiple feed timers, multiple conditional statements)
Can connect to your PC so you can view things over the web if you get the serial port option and can be controlled from your pc using the free version of AquaNotes software.
Has a digital input (also if you get the serial port option) that allows you to connect things like a float switch to shut off pumps if the water level in the sump gets too low, or to use it to drive an auto topoff pump.
You can upgrade to a more advanced unit if you ever needed to.

RK2:
Looks cool.
controls 8 channels (max)

Lighthouse:
Plug and play webserver built in. Ethernet built in.
Only controls 4 channels
Will monitor orp in addition to ph

The AC Jr. with serial port, Lighthouse, and RK2 all cost right about the same ($299). I believe they all work pretty well. The AC Jr. has a bit more flexibility and functionality than the others.

Here is someone who uses a neptune controller (more expensive, but same quality as the AC Jr.):
http://www.oregonreef.com/

[BOKER420]

Thats the one I was seriuosly thinking about.

[Fishel]

don't forget that you can actually hookup a total of 16 devices on the ReefKeeper2 by using 8 of their 2 slot expansion modules. however you cannot control devices hooked into the 2 slot expansion modules individually, they are controlled off of one of the 8 main slots they are hooked into... their expansion modules aren't cheap though so the cost adds up....

[crumbletop]

You can do the same thing with the AC Jr. (hook up a total of 24 devices) but the cost of the expansion modules for either unit would push the cost above $300.