The Etekcity Zap wireless controlled electrical outlets switch is possibly a really great solution to some simple aquarium needs. Us reefers tend to over-engineer complicated solutions to simple aquarium tasks but we see great potential for this straightforward and really inexpensive device.
At its core, the Etekcity Zap outlets are wirelessly controlled outlets that are hard-programmed to a remote control. You press the ‘on’ button, and that outlet turns on, press the off button and that outlet turns off. A single remote can control up to five outlets, with a complete kit setting you back a paltry thirty bucks ($30).
With aquarium controllers and computers becoming pervasive in the aquarium hobby, the natural inclination is to program our Neptunes to automate the simplest tasks. But for pocket change you can use the Etekcity Zap outlets to do your bidding at the touch of a single button.
Want to turn on a storm mode for that extra pump to blast off your rocks? Want to activate your protein skimmer neck cleaner for its once a week cleaning? You could do all these things automatically with an aquarium computer but the value proposition of the Etekcity is that you can activate some of these necessary but non-critical tasks with the push of a single button, but you also have to remember to turn them off.
There’s plenty of actions we want controlled and monitored by smart and redundant devices and programming. For the more mundane, a basic wirelessly controlled outlet kit like the Etekcity can probably do a pretty good job.
The only catch being that the Etekcity modules will block outlets on a typicalwall outlet or power strip. So if you really want to give this system a shot, you’ll want to invest in some flexible powerstrips like the powersquid or Etekcity’s own 10-pack of shorty extension cords. [Etekcity]
