A digital monitor

[sal-t-dawg]

Is there a system that monitors some if not all of the levels in your tank? Like maybe some sort of digital type machine?

After a little surfing I did find some stuff. Has/does anyone here use anything like this? Has it worked for you?

 

[fallinapart]

the thing for aquarium keepers would the an aquarium controller, such as the Aquatronica or the Aquacontroller or the Aquacontroller Jr., and many more.

Many of us use controllers on the tank to monitor and control temp, pH, lights reactors and such. Plus some of them can be controlled remotely via the Internet which is pretty cool. Not a must have item, but the peace of mind is worth a lot.

You can search this forum for "controllers" and read some stuff the will really help you understand how this tool is a worthwhile investment in your tank.

 

[NeveSSL]

As Norman mentioned, there are several of us who use one, myself included.

They are really useful. Check out www.aquariumcontrollers.com for a nice, detailed list of current controllers that are on the market.

I'm using an Aquatronica and they are awesome. They're a bit on the expensive side (largely because they're European), but very, very expandable. I can get salinity probes, peristaltic pumps, water sensors, and all kinds of other stuff for it. Soon I'll have it online.

There are some options that are more affordable and very good, too, though, including the Aquacontroller Jr.

If you have any questions about them, feel free to ask.

Brandon

 

[sal-t-dawg]

What Im basically looking for is a machine with probes on it that monitor salinity, ph, nitrates and etc... That shows me the levels at all times. I think if I had something hooked up that I could control from my computer or sent me e-mails, my wife would not be able to tolerate that level of addiction!!

 

[NeveSSL]

There's nothing quite like that just yet. You can get salinity, pH, ORP, and temp, but the other probes aren't to the hobbyist level just yet.

Also, the ones that do salinity tend to be the higher end units. I don't think the AquaControllers do salinity. The cheapest unit that will do salinity is (I think...) the ReefKeeper Elite. Other units that have salinity include the Aquatronica and Profilux if memory serves me correctly.

Brandon

 

[andywe]

The reefkeeper elite is what has cuaght my eye. I am following up on their customer service to endure if I do ahve a problem they will respond.

Most of the negative reviews I have read on it were pretty much from folks who don't undertstand bleeding edge technology (as this is for the hobbiest). With so many parameters and probes to look after, code does have unforseen issues at times.


It is ok for programmers to make a mistake. the proof is how well they respond to fixing it If they respond quickly to my requests, I will buy their product. It is certainly the best bang for the buck hands down, as it comes with more for the money than others, and is modular enough for me to buy what I want to customize.

I also like not being tied to an X-10 controller. As far as home automations go, it is the Mcdonalds brand and not of the quality of other systems, so not having to use an X-10 based system is a real plus imho.

For now, I m all manual so anything anyone else has is better than what I have lol.

 

[MVlk]

The ReefKeeper Elite has cought my eye as well. I am begining to drop hints for my birthday to the wife.

Having done X10 for home automation, I definitely want it no where near my tank. It is a cool protocol for lights and othe non-critical applications. I use Insteon in my home now and the reliability definitely seems better. Have not seen Insteon used by any aquarium controlers though. Smarthome makes a number of Insteon interfaces and in theory you could build your own to do much of what a production controler does.

Still the ReefKeeper Elite is a slick package. I especially like the power modules.

 

[poolkeeper1]

I've had a reefkeeper 2 for years and I'm real happy with It's performance, Many of the complaints come from people who repeat hearsay!! Lots of bang for the buck with the new line I'll upgrade when I need more capacity, Which is now, But oh for the money maybe a bailout? Wishful thinking!

 

[NeveSSL]

I don't think anything has used X10 in a while.

Brandon

 

[andywe]

MV, Im with you there brother!

I use Lutron for my lights, but when I expand will probably go a different route. Some new stuf fon the horizon so I am biding my time.

I jsut ahve to talk myself into soending the $$ on the RK elite. I jsut got my bonus, but we are doing the get out of debt fast plan so my wife would perhaps throw me out if I boughht the RK and didn;t pay off her debt first lol.