Red Sea ReefControl Guide NZ: Lite vs Pro, ReefSense Probes & Power 6

Red Sea ReefControl is the new smart controller in Red Sea's ReefBeat range, and it is quickly becoming one of the most asked-about products at our Auckland store. It does what aquarium controllers have always promised: it watches your pH, temperature, salinity, ORP, water level and leaks around the clock, alerts you when something drifts, and can automatically switch equipment to protect your reef. What makes it different is how simple it is to set up.

This guide explains how ReefControl works, compares ReefControl Lite, Pro and the Pro DLX kit, covers every ReefSense probe, the ATO module and ReefControl Power 6, and helps you choose the right setup for your tank in New Zealand.

What is Red Sea ReefControl?

ReefControl is a reef controller and monitor. You connect ReefSense digital probes and sensors to it, and it sends real-time readings, logs and notifications to the free ReefBeat app on your phone. Red Sea designed it around three ideas:

• Digital probes. Each ReefSense probe converts its reading to digital inside the probe itself. This prevents the electromagnetic interference that can upset analogue probes in a sump full of pumps and heaters.
• Universal ports. Any ReefSense probe or sensor fits any available port with no programming, and you can run more than one of the same type. Red Sea says new sensor types will plug in the same way.
• Simple automation. Probe readings can switch the controller's 12 V DC outputs, or the mains sockets of a connected ReefControl Power. You set rules in plain language, such as "turn the fan on if temperature rises".

The system is modular. Start with a controller and the probes you need now, then add sensors, the ATO module or ReefControl Power later.

ReefControl Lite vs ReefControl Pro vs Pro DLX kit

Red Sea makes two controllers and a ready-made Pro bundle. The main difference is how many probes and DC devices you can connect.

Red Sea and our product listings state that ReefControl Lite and Pro bought on their own are supplied with a ReefSense pH & Temperature probe. The ReefControl that comes with a REEFER G3+ aquarium is described as the controller plus the ATO module, so if you're buying a G3+, check with us which probes are in the box before you order extras.

Who needs which version?

• Choose ReefControl Lite if you mainly want reliable pH and temperature monitoring with alerts, plus one more sensor such as the ATO module or a leak detector. It suits nano and smaller reef tanks, and anyone trying a controller for the first time.
• Choose ReefControl Pro if you want salinity, ORP, ATO and leak detection on top of pH and temperature, or expect your system to grow. With the Port Expander it monitors up to 7 probes and sensors, and its two DC outputs give you more automation options.
• Choose the ReefControl Pro DLX kit if you want full monitoring from day one. It pairs ReefControl Pro with pH & Temp, Salinity & Temp and ORP probes plus a Leak Detector, which suits SPS-dominant and high-value reef systems.

ReefSense probes and sensors explained

ReefSense is the family of digital probes and sensors that plug into ReefControl. All of them give real-time monitoring, notifications and logs in ReefBeat, and their readings can trigger DC devices or ReefControl Power sockets.

• pH & Temperature probe: automatically temperature-compensated, with a double-junction design that has dual ceramic external junctions for longer life. Red Sea quotes accuracy of 0.05 pH with 0.01 pH precision, and temperature accuracy of 0.05 °C.
• Salinity & Temperature probe: a 4-pole conductivity sensor built for the reef environment. It reads in PSU (ppt), mS or SG, and Red Sea quotes ±1% accuracy for salinity and 0.05 °C for temperature.
• ORP probe: double junction, accurate to 30 mV with 1 mV precision. With ReefControl Power it can switch an ozoniser on only when needed.
• Temperature probe: titanium tipped and accurate to 0.1 °C. It connects to ReefControl Lite or Pro, or directly to ReefControl Power for standalone heater, chiller or fan control.
• Leak Detector: detects spills from RO water through to seawater. You can connect several to one controller to cover the sump, RO station and plumbing.
• ATO Sensor: the solid-state water-level sensor used in the ATO module, with a built-in 0.1 °C thermometer. Useful as a spare or an extra level sensor.

Why digital probes are easier to live with

Because calibration data is stored on each probe, you can calibrate once and move a probe between ports or controllers without recalibrating. Probes also keep their calibration history, so ReefBeat can warn you in advance when a pH probe is nearing the end of its life.

ReefSense probes can also work away from the controller and talk to ReefBeat over Bluetooth. Take a probe to your mixing station to check the salinity and pH of new saltwater, or calibrate it at the sink instead of crouching beside the sump. Remote readings aren't added to your tank's logs, so your trend graphs stay clean. For remote use, a probe is powered from any USB-C socket, such as a phone, power bank or charger, using the ReefSense USB-C connector (sold separately). See our guide to mixing saltwater for a reef tank.

ReefSense Port Expander and probe holders

The ReefSense 4-Port Expander adds four ReefSense ports, taking ReefControl Pro to as many as 7 probes and sensors. To keep probes tidy and at the right depth, use the Magnetic 4-probe holder (holds up to four probes, for glass up to 12 mm) or the Single Probe holder (adjustable height, fits 12 mm and 18 mm probes, clips onto 4–12 mm glass).

ReefControl ATO module: auto top-off built in

The ReefControl ATO module connects straight to ReefControl Lite or Pro, adding a fully featured auto top-off without a separate ATO controller. It includes:

• A slim, solid-state (EC technology) titanium water-level sensor with a built-in digital thermometer accurate to 0.1 °C.
• A quiet, variable-flow, serviceable ATO pump: 6–10 W, 4.5 cm diameter, maximum flow 300 L/h and maximum head 2.5 m.
• A sensor holder with a magnetic corner bracket for glass up to 12 mm, 3 m of silicone tubing, a tube holder that clips onto 4–12 mm glass, and a siphon breaker.

Stable top-off means stable salinity, which is one of the most important things for coral health. If you already run a standalone ReefATO+, talk to us about whether the ATO module makes sense for your setup.

ReefControl Power 6 and Power 6 Deluxe (AUS/NZ)

ReefControl Power is Red Sea's smart power centre. It brings both Red Sea and non-Red Sea equipment into ReefBeat, so your heater, chiller, fans, UV, ozoniser and older pumps can be scheduled, monitored and protected from one app. The version sold in New Zealand is the AUS model: 6 sockets, 2400 W total power, 8.5 × 41 × 7.7 cm.

• Four socket modes: set each socket to normally on, normally off, a daily schedule (up to 10 on/off periods a day) or sensor-controlled.
• Sensor-controlled sockets: paired with ReefControl Lite or Pro, any ReefSense reading can switch a socket. For example, turn a heater off if the water gets too warm, act as a backup thermostat for a chiller, start a fan during a heat spike, run an ozoniser to hold your target ORP, or cut power when a leak is detected.
• Live power monitoring: check each device's real-time consumption, view a 28-day graph, and get notified if a socket is malfunctioning. This is handy for spotting a failing heater or pump early.
• Standalone mode: connect a ReefSense Temperature probe directly to ReefControl Power and it can run your heater, chiller or fan without a ReefControl controller.

The Power 6 Deluxe adds a manual Control Panel with backlit on/off buttons for each outlet and a master button for all outlets. It's ideal for switching gear off quickly during water changes and sump maintenance. Add the ReefControl Grounding Probe to the dedicated grounding port on ReefControl Power to safely neutralise stray voltage in the tank.

The ReefBeat app: what you can do

ReefControl lives in the same ReefBeat app as the rest of Red Sea's smart range. For ReefControl, the app lets you:

• See the current status and real-time reading of every probe and sensor.
• View interactive graphs for the last 28 days, with minimum, maximum and average readings for each probe, and build custom graphs that compare probes.
• Set the desired and acceptable range for each parameter, and get notified if a reading goes outside it or a sensor or device malfunctions.
• Follow a semi-automatic calibration process, and switch on remote use for any probe.
• Set up 12 V DC devices and ATO, and link any sensor to an on/off rule written in plain language.

How ReefControl works with ReefLED, ReefWave, ReefDose, ReefRun, ReefMat and ReefATO+

Your other ReefBeat devices, such as ReefLED G2 lights, ReefWave pumps, ReefDose dosers, ReefRun DC pumps, ReefMat roller filters and the ReefATO+, keep their own built-in or dedicated controllers. They sit alongside ReefControl in the same app, so you manage the whole reef from one dashboard.

Red Sea's latest ReefBeat update brought in 7 customisable Quick Actions: 3 Feed Modes, 3 Maintenance Modes and 1 Emergency Mode. Each one switches a group of devices with one tap, and you can set return delays so pumps, the skimmer and ATO restart in a safe order after maintenance. ReefControl Power brings non-Red Sea gear plugged into it into these feeding, maintenance and safety routines.

Compatibility: REEFER G3+ and existing aquariums

• REEFER G3+: every G3+ ships with ReefControl and the ATO module. The 200, 300 and Peninsula 350 get ReefControl Lite. The 425, Peninsula 500 and larger get ReefControl Pro. Read our full Red Sea REEFER G3+ guide for the models and specs.
• Older REEFERs, MAX systems and other brands: ReefControl Lite, Pro, the probes and ReefControl Power are all sold separately, so you can add them to an existing reef. ReefControl Power is specifically designed to bring non-Red Sea equipment into ReefBeat.
• Glass thickness: check the mounting hardware against your sump. The magnetic ATO bracket and 4-probe holder suit glass up to 12 mm, and the tube holder and single probe holder clip onto 4–12 mm glass.

How to set up ReefControl: step by step

1. Plan your sensors. List what you want to monitor (pH, temperature, salinity, ORP, water level, leaks) and choose Lite, Pro or the Pro DLX kit to match.
2. Mount the controller and probes. Fit the controller somewhere dry in the cabinet. Place the probes in a low-turbulence part of the sump with a probe holder, and run cables neatly away from the water.
3. Connect to ReefBeat. Add ReefControl to the ReefBeat app on your home network, and update the firmware on all your ReefBeat devices.
4. Calibrate. Follow the app's semi-automatic calibration for the pH and salinity probes. Because calibration is stored on the probe, you can do this at the sink using remote mode.
5. Set ranges and alerts. Enter the desired and acceptable ranges for each parameter. Not sure what to aim for? See our reef water chemistry guide and ideal aquarium temperature article.
6. Add ATO and automation. Fit the ATO module, then set up DC device rules or ReefControl Power sockets, such as heater cut-off on high temperature or power shut-off on a leak.
7. Set up Quick Actions. Create Feed, Maintenance and Emergency modes with sensible return delays.
8. Keep testing. Continuous probes are brilliant for pH, temperature and salinity trends, but keep testing alkalinity, calcium, magnesium and nutrients with test kits. Our reef tank water testing guide explains how.

Why buy Red Sea ReefControl from EasternMarine Aquariums?

We stock the full ReefControl and ReefSense range, from ReefControl Lite through to ReefControl Power 6 Deluxe and every probe and accessory. Order online, or you're welcome to visit our reef store at 114 Wiri Station Road, Wiri, Auckland to talk through which setup suits your tank. We can also match ReefControl with the rest of the Red Sea range, including REEFER aquariums, lighting, pumps, dosing and water testing kits.

Frequently asked questions

What is Red Sea ReefControl?

Red Sea ReefControl is a modular reef aquarium controller. It connects ReefSense digital probes and sensors (pH, temperature, salinity, ORP, ATO level and leak detection) and sends real-time readings, logs and alerts to the ReefBeat app. It can also switch 12 V DC devices and, with ReefControl Power, mains sockets based on those readings.

What is the difference between ReefControl Lite and ReefControl Pro?

ReefControl Lite supports 2 ReefSense probes or sensors and one 12 V DC device. ReefControl Pro supports 4 probes or sensors, or up to 7 with the ReefSense Port Expander, and two 12 V DC devices. Both work with the ATO module and ReefControl Power.

Does ReefControl come with a pH probe?

Red Sea states that ReefControl Lite and Pro are supplied with a ReefSense pH & Temperature probe, and the Pro DLX kit adds Salinity & Temp, ORP and leak sensors. The ReefControl included with a REEFER G3+ aquarium is described as the controller plus the ATO module, so check with us which probes come with your G3+.

How many probes can ReefControl Pro monitor?

Up to 4 ReefSense probes or sensors on its own, or up to 7 with the ReefSense 4-Port Expander. Any probe can go in any port, and you can run more than one of the same type.

Do I need ReefControl Power?

Only if you want probe readings or schedules to switch mains-powered equipment such as heaters, chillers, fans or an ozoniser, or you want to monitor power use. ReefControl Lite and Pro monitor and alert without it, and can switch 12 V DC devices directly.

Is ReefControl Power 6 suitable for New Zealand?

Yes. The ReefControl Power 6 we sell is the AUS/NZ version, with 6 sockets and 2400 W total power.

Can I use ReefControl on a non-Red Sea aquarium?

Yes. ReefControl, ReefSense probes and ReefControl Power are sold separately and can be added to most reef aquariums and sumps. Check that the probe holders and ATO bracket suit your glass thickness.

Do ReefSense probes need recalibrating if I move them?

No. Calibration data is stored on each ReefSense probe, so you can move it between ports or controllers without recalibrating. The probe also keeps its calibration history, so the app can warn you when it's nearing end of life.