Controller/Monitor Help

[waterdog]

Hey, was wondering what everyone thought about controllers vs monitors vs test strips for keeping track of tank levels. I have used the Salifert test strips in the past but I went through so many pH and Calcium strips that things got quite expensive. Are the devices like the PinPoint monitors and controllers worth the investment? What about the AquaController Pro? It's a whole crap load of money with lots of bells and whistles, but it is really that much better than some of the lower tech stuff? If anyone with some experience with any of these things could help me out I would appreciate it.

Thanks a lot!!

 

[misfit]

I have a pinpoint calicum monitor and i like it alot. Just purchased a reefkeeper 2 with a ph probe and waiting to get it in the mail i will post results on how it is. But there only as good as you calibrate them. They will go bad some day. There great for a quick glance to check up on things on a daily basis to see if anything is out of wack but i always double check with regular tests on a regular basis.

 

[scsinet]

I'm a fan of the Milwaukee meters. They are cheap and accurate enough for everyday spot checking to make sure nothing is too far outa whack. I always figure that a meter is going to get closer than color matching does. The PH meters I feel are always a good investment if you are dosing kalk or something that can throw your PH, as they let you cheaply check your pH several times a day or even continuously.

 

[moneyman]

I have the Milwaukee pH meter pen. Worth every penny. It costed around $50. If you decide to run a pH meter 24x7 like the PinPoint, the probe needs to be replaced yearly.
I also have a AquaController Jr + DC8. I only use it is a glorified timer and temperature controller. I think the AC Pro way too expensive and loaded with things I dont need.

 

[waterdog]

Thanks a lot for the input! What do the rest of you think?