Controllers?/Timers?

[r3markey]

Just got a aquamedic 2x250 MH and 2 t5 setup along with seperate led moonlights and was wondering what I should use to time these? I've heard not many good things about the coralife-zilla timers so I was going to get a power strip with all separate timers, but I was thinking about just doing it right and getting the controllers so I can monitor ph and have alarms.
Any thoughts on the different ones (reef keeper, aquacontroller, ect..) I figure by the time I buy timers, a power strip, ph pen, digital thermometer and so on the price may be close.
Any input would be great, thanks in advance.
ps. 60gal reef tanks with few fish so far, more to come

 

[theappe3]

Any timer from homedepot/loews will do. They have some digital ones that are good.

 

[m0nk]

I have the coralife-zilla double strip and it sticks sometimes, which causes one of the lighting sets not to come on or turn off on occasion. This really only happens when I have just messed with the timing for some reason, but other than that happening on occasion it seems to work ok for what it costs ($26ish?). I'd rather have that than individual timers, personally. If I had the money I'd get one of the digital units since there's nothing mechanical there to "stick".

 

[r3markey]

I might go the timer route, but I am still considering the controller idea, timers would be cheaper up front for sure.
Anyone have any comments or suggestions as far as the controllers go? (reef keeper and aquacontroller are the only 2 I've looked at so far)

 

[r3markey]

So are controllers not what people are using or not worth the money or what?......

 

[r3markey]

I wish money grew on trees......., or in fishtanks, I don't care where...