Aquacontroller III - Aquanotes necessary?

[SnapDragon]

Is purchasing the aquanotes necessary if I want it to email me updates and be viewable online?

The sad thing is, is everyone that was trying to sell me this said that it would email me updates and I would be able to go on trips and view everything via the web, but the aquanotes don't come with the software??? It looks like those features have to be purchased in addition to the controller??

Am I right?

There goes another $75...

 

[luisagos]

Aquanotes is not worth the $75. I use to have the AC3 and the software, but I sold it real fast.

I can not remember if the web server built in the controller was capable of doing emails, but it do the rest.

Can you return the AC3? Its really a dated controller.
Better options out there for the same price.

 

[SnapDragon]

I can't return it now... I wish I would have known about the better options. I wonder if all of the LFS say this is the best one since it is what they carry??

 

[PSam]

Re: Aquacontroller III - Aquanotes necessary?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14819272#post14819272 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SnapDragon
Is purchasing the aquanotes necessary if I want it to email me updates and be viewable online?

No, it is not necessary for this. You can log in to view Java graphs, set up the email to send alarms, and edit the program all from the web interface.

Aquanotes is good if you want to keep all the logged data (the AC3 only keeps so much in memory) and some notes. It does make setting up a bit easier, but honestly, once you set it up the first time, you don't really need to do it again. The Ac3 itself is a fabulous controller.

 

[mflamb]

I used my AC3 on my 390 and now have it on my 300. I think it is a fabulous piece of equipment.

 

[SnapDragon]

I am liking what I am hearing now better! So I can receive email alerts like on my cell phone, because on their site it says that the email function only comes with the paid software?

Thank you everyone!

 

[tacocat]

Re: Aquacontroller III - Aquanotes necessary?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14819272#post14819272 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SnapDragon
Is purchasing the aquanotes necessary if I want it to email me updates and be viewable online?

The sad thing is, is everyone that was trying to sell me this said that it would email me updates and I would be able to go on trips and view everything via the web, but the aquanotes don't come with the software??? It looks like those features have to be purchased in addition to the controller??

Am I right?

There goes another $75...

I'd say yes. Aquanotes allows you to unlock all the controllers capabilities. Download Aqunotes lite (free) and the manual, and play with it. From there, you'll be able to decide if the full version is right for you.

Aquanotes is both Vista and XP compatible.

 

[Rizup]

The Aquacontroller III and III Pro both have built in web servers that allow you to control everything remotely and they can also do e-mail alerts. The Pro model will also allow you to view graphs on its home page. I have one of each, and love them.

Everyone is pretty amazed when I show them live video of my tank and feed the fish from my cell phone!


Mike

 

[wwanthony]

I don't think the e-mail alerts work without AquaNotes.

 

[ai-reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14823014#post14823014 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rizup


Everyone is pretty amazed when I show them live video of my tank and feed the fish from my cell phone!


Mike

How do you do that?

And what are the best controllers out there in $300 - $500 range

 

[Rizup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14826034#post14826034 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wwanthony
I don't think the e-mail alerts work without AquaNotes.

E-Mail alerts work fine without Aquanotes on both my AC3 and my AC3 Pro. All you have to do is configure the mail settings on the unit itself. The mail settings are not configurable through the built-in web server.


Mike

 

[Rizup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14826061#post14826061 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ai-reefer
How do you do that?

And what are the best controllers out there in $300 - $500 range

I have a Super Feeder hooked up to my AC3 on my African Cichlid tank. I use my cell phone to connect to the AC3 web server through the Internet and then turn the Super Feeder timer on.

I believe that there are several controllers out there in that price range. People who use each will say theirs are better. I have only used the Neptune Aquacontrollers and love both of mine. It really depends what type of functionality you need and want. AquariumControllers website has a comparison spreadsheet that will help you decide which one is right for you.

I love playing with electronics, so I had to have a model that had web access, e-mail alerts, etc. Obviously overkill for my freshwater tank, but I love it! Great piece of mind for while I am on vacation. I put together a status page that I use as my homepage for my phone's browser. Here's a quick screenshot of the page (tank photo is outdated )


Mike