AquaController Jr. users

Gary Majchrzak

Gary Majchrzak

Team RC
please rate this controller for me. How long have you had it? What do you use it to control? How often do it's probes require calibration and replacement? What's the deal with Neptune's replacement temp probe not being compatible with the AC Jr.?
I want a means of controlling temp and my Ca reactor via pH and the AC Jr. appears to be a very popular choice for this but I want to hear some long term user-end feedback. TIA
 
Gary, they are pretty good long term. The only problem I've run into is trying to run the serial cable any length to my computer (over 15 feet). I eventually had to buy the ground serial adapter($40) to get correct readings over that distance. As far as what I'm controlling, my entire 54 gallon tank, all lights, return pump, korallia powerhead, skimmer, top off/dosing pump, heater. Ph probes are the same as any other, calibrate every month or 2 and they last easily over a year, and I've never had to replace a temp probe.
As far as running your CA reactor, they work really well for that, turning your CO2 on and off, hopefully your CA reactor has a fitting to read the Ph inside the reactor. The second best thing it controls is your heater, how many times have we heard of a heater sticking on and melting somebodys tank.
It's really nice to see a graph of your tanks conditions also, seeing all of the ebb and flows helps you get a hold on how things are really going in your tank.
All in all I say they are worth every penny, if it helps prevent even 1 minor disaster, it usually pays for itself.

I must say though that looking at the new RK ELite from a previous thread has intrigued me... I like how it can flush mount and kinda be "shown off", and the built in webserver to alert you of tank conditions anywhere would be really neat. Hopefully someone will let me come and check it out in person!

Dave
 
had it for little over year. It controls everything in my reef tank from ca reactor, lights, pumps, heater, moon lights, etc

I have not replaced any probes, and I actually never re-calibrated the PH probe for my ca reactor, although my ca reactor is working fine and alk/ca is spot on.

IMO, its the best bang for the buck so long as you don't want the email alerts/web compatability feature of the higher end units.
It still connects to the PC to configure it. I have a serial cable thats about 8 feet long and its perfect to connect to my PC (you may need a USB to serial adapter if you don't have a serial)
 
The jr must be calibrated at least bimonthly IMHO. Neptune systems as a whole rates a 10 in my book.

I have a second Jr you can borrow with a pH and temp probe if you would like to use. I am sure I have at least 1 DC8 laying around.

The only drawback with you size tank is that the DC8 can only handle 15 amperes. Also the Jr can only control 12 outlets.
 
thanx for all the input so far

thanx for all the input so far

and thanks for the offer, jw.
My aquarium isn't automated in any way and never has been.
I'm ignorant regarding controllers- 15 amps and 12 outlets seems like a lot to me :D
 
15 amperes isn't really a lot.

3 x 250w MH lamps on 120v

w=V*A
250= 120 * X

each 250w will draw 2.08A.
So 3 of them will be 6.24A (Almost 1/2 of the DC8's max)

and you still don't have your heater plugged in or your VHO's.

the DC8 is an 8 outlet set-up and it can handle 15A, or 7A per outlet. It may not seem like much but reef lighting and a chiller can tip the boat over. BUT the fuse is a re-setable fuse! Huge bonus.

The tank doesn't have to be automated, but it could be safer! Imagine :
tank is at 80 and the MH lamps just turned on and heater is off.
1hr later tank is now at 81 ... ok getting warm.
2hrs later tank is now @ 83 ... now I want my halides off or a fan/chiller on.
2hrs later ... tanks now at 84 now if you have the Jr hooked up to your PC it can send you a text message or an E-mail.

I run controllable heaters on my AC and they are controlled by the neptune. So for my tank to over heat and kill something I would need:
Heater(s) to go on the fritz,
Neptune to not turn off the power to the heater
Heater(s) to out run my chiller
after lights go off and a fan turns on continue to heat.
the Neptune not to send me an alarm that my tank is over 82.

piece of mind :)
 
I'm also a big fan of the AC Jr. I run two of them and an AC III.

The data log is a nice function. Even with out a computer hooked up to it, you can track your parameters. It's nice to be able to click a few buttons and see what your tank temperature was last night at 4AM.

I also like the feed cycle. Since I feed my LPS all the time, one push of a button and all my pumps turn off for 300 seconds and then automatically turn back on. You can set it for any amount of time you want.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12654059#post12654059 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gary Majchrzak
what happens to Jr. when it's power goes out...
does it remember settings?
Click to expand...

Yes, it does. It keeps the settings in a RAM memory, or something like that.

So while the regular house timers are off by as many hours as the power was out, the AC units are still right on track. Though I used to use those old timers to guage how long the power was off. Don't know that with an AC Jr.
 
Gary I have the ac jr and love it I dont use it to control a calcium reactor but I have had it about a year and its great. I just moved and the acjr wasnt plugged in for about a week and all the settings are still in it even the clock was right. I use it to control my t-5s daytime actinic 2 heaters staggered 1 degree. my fuge light, my powerhead ( for feedings), and also I have my fans set so come on if my tank temp reaches 81 degree's
 
another question

another question

in order to control a Ca reactor and my heaters with an ACJr. I will need a Neptune DC 4 or 8 module?
 
Re: another question

Re: another question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12698557#post12698557 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gary Majchrzak
in order to control a Ca reactor and my heaters with an ACJr. I will need a Neptune DC 4 or 8 module?
Click to expand...

Yep.
 
relay outlets on current model DC8

relay outlets on current model DC8

exactly what outlets on the current model DC8 (serial #'s greater than 9000) are relays... are all 8 outlets relays or just the two on the far right end (4 & 8)?

anybody ever have problems running an Icecap 660 off a DC8?
 
All 8 outlets are a controlled relay.

No sweat using the 660 on a DC8 for sure.

Sorry I have not read this thread in a while. Be careful using your CO2 solenoid on the DC's The solenoids use very little energy to open and close the switch and sometimes if the Neptune tries to turn off the outlet there is not enough voltage drop in the line to close the relay. The solution is to put in a cube tap (1 outlet makes 3 outlets), or a powerstrip and put a fan or something that will use a little more power so that the relay will close.

Hope this was helpful :)
 
very helpful- thanks.
The Neptune DC8 instructions specifically warn "do not use Icecap 430 or 660 ballasts on the relay controlled outlets due to their high inrush current". The instructions then give work arounds for older model DC8's but give no suggestions for the curent model DC8 :confused:
 
I have a 660 and a 430 hooked up for about 6 mos and no ill efects at all. gary if you want to come check mine out your more than welcome I am at sweden walker road and 104 so not to far away
 
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