aquarium controllers, what are you guys using?

[Ding2daDong]

Just wondering what controllers everyone uses. I have been searching and I think the aquacontroller jr. or III would work best for my basic needs. Any opinions on one vs another or why you like one better?

I need one to control my lights, pumps on wavemaker, temp w/ heater and fans, pH, power outage detection, and feeding time button.

-Matthew

On a side note, I know I post alot.:rollface:

 

[rioreef]

For those parameters. Look at Digital Aquatics (DA)- Reefkeeper2. You can also connect it to your computer and serve it up through your web site. Notification when parameters exceed set points to email, phone, or pager. If you have a web camera, you can set it up viewing your tank and the software will serve this up on the web site with your current tank conditions.

DA will be coming out with a more advanced controller next year, save your money and stay tuned.

 

[gasman059]

aquatronica

 

[db_triggerfish]

purchased the Reefkeeper 2, but have not installed it yet, i picked it for price, looks, "flush mount", using the internet to keep an eye on my tank, also i don't need many features the other brands have.

 

[SugarFox03]

I have a Reefkeeper 2, I love it. Looks great, works great. We get frequent power surges here, and I've never had to reset it after a surge. I dont have it hooked up to my internet though...I should try that.

 

[Ding2daDong]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11157178#post11157178 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gasman059
aquatronica

What an amazing controller! If only it did water changes and cleaned the glass that controller seems like it could do everything.

A little out of my price range but a great controller.

-Matthew

The only thing I don't like about the reef keeper 2 is that it isn't web enhanced directly. I also need a controller that would email/text/phone me if the power went out.

 

[ReefWreak]

I like the aquatronica, as it's much more expandable than everything else in it's price range. I'm looking to get the AC3 because of the built in web-server at a reasonable price point. The aquatronica w/o webserver costs the same as the AC3, so for webserver it's another $150ish. Not acceptable. I love the RK2, especially for it's price, but I need the webserver. The Lighthouse would do the job, and has great software support and a great webserver, but it's a bit lacking in the unit itself (uses a ghetto powerstrip for it's control interface).

Check out www.aquariumcontrollers.com for info on the controllers.

 

[Rogger Castells]

I have the aquatronica..........BTW mine will do water changes

 

[Chef Reef]

reefkeeper2.. i wish mine did water changes

 

[carlosngloria]

do any of the controllers monitor nitrite nitrate and ammonia?

 

[jman77]

"BTW mine will do water changes "

do tell !

 

[ReefWreak]

You can get the American Marine Pinpoint monitor for the nitrate, I don't think for ammonia. The aquatronica is so popular because it has so many future expandability options, so people are talking that down the road you might be able to add all of those functions (nitrate, calcium, etc) monitoring to the unit. But for now all you can use is the AM one.

BTW most people who spend the cash to monitor their tanks with expensive computers generally don't need to test for nitrates anymore. You should spend that kind of money on a bumpin' skimmer, more liverock, a refugium, a calcium reactor, a RDSB, etc to get your tank under control, and then once it's under control (nitrate, ammonia, calcium, etc) then it's time to get complicated with the monitoring. Just IMO.

 

[gasman059]

agree

 

[macawmagic]

I've been looking at the reefkeeper 2...but need a calcium reactor first. can't wait for my 3rd job to start!!!

 

[nyvp]

neptune III