AC II or AC Pro?

[Shemp]

I'm trying to decide between the AC II and the AC Pro. I'd love to get the AC III Pro, but can't swing the price tag for the base unit and the add-ons right now.

So... I'm trying to understand the benefits of the Pro vs. the AC II. As I can tell, the only difference is that the Pro monitors conductivity and dissolved oxygen, in addition to pH, ORP and temp.

How critical is it to monitor conductivity and dissolved oxygen? And more importantly, what does the conductivity actually tell me about the health of my tank and what do I do to control/change it?

Thanks!

 

[collins]

Everything in this hobby is expensive, but nothing is more expensive than settling and then upgrading later. Take your time and choose the right one for yourself.

Here is a link to the comparison page on the Neptune site
http://www.neptunesys.com/comparison.htm

Conductivity is used to measure salinity, usually a fairly stable parameter.

 

[clp]

Conductivity has two uses for a typical reef tank:
- In low range it can measure the purity of the RO/DI water, and can be used to indicate when it is time to change the DI catridge.
- In high range it can be used to indirectly read the salinity of your tank. Since there is a direct correlation between conductivity and salinity, if you know the conductivity of the water then it is just a simple conversion to salinity.

In a typical reef tank the DO level is not a problem. However, in tanks with a high bio load, deep sand beeds, or doing something experimental, the DO level can reach critical levels especially at night. With monitoring/control you can be alerted to the potential problem before waking up to a tank of dead fish.

Curt

 

[Shemp]

Excellent! Thanks for the responses.

I can definitely see the value in the conductivity monitoring of my RO/DI water. Looks like I'll go with the AC Pro.

As far as DO, when you say it can reach critical levels at night because of a DSB, do you mean low critical DO levels?

 

[clp]

Yes, the DO level typically drop at night as photosynthesis stops, and both plants and animals become consumers of O2.

Curt

 

[raddogz]

<snip>

Conductivity has two uses for a typical reef tank:
- In low range it can measure the purity of the RO/DI water, and can be used to indicate when it is time to change the DI catridge.
- In high range it can be used to indirectly read the salinity of your tank. Since there is a direct correlation between conductivity and salinity, if you know the conductivity of the water then it is just a simple conversion to salinity.
Curt

How do you convert conductivity of said water to salinity?

 

[clp]

There is a table at the end of the AquaControllerPro manual. You can download it from our website.

Curt

 

[Reefer Maddness]

Everything in this hobby is expensive, but nothing is more expensive than settling and then upgrading later. Take your time and choose the right one for yourself.

That is the best piece of advice you can give anyone in this hobby. I own two skimmers, a complete PC lighting set up for a 55 gallon and more sub 750 gph pumps than I care to mention. I was just trying to decide between the II and the Jr. My wife told me to get the II since I would end up buying a better control unit in the future. I knew there was a reason I married her.