Richard, are you adding to the list of stuff I need to buy for the new tank?
LOL. It's not required but is a nice toy. Eight channels and each channel is programmable and can be set to control lights, pumps, heater, chiller, or can act as a wavemaker (with soft start). For lights you can select "Halide" so that if power goes off/on it will have a delay to allow them to cool before it turns them back on. I also like having it control the heater, I have too much money in my tank to trust to the cheap thermostat of a $30 heater. I also like that it is made so you can cut a square in your cabinet door and mount it so that it's easily viewable. Looks pretty sharp. Also has a "Feed" button that will turn off your main pump(s) for whatever time you specify. I like it!