Automating Aquarium Controls

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darren77uk

New member
Hi there,

I'm somewhat new to the game but looking at integrating my new In Wall Fish tank with a smart home touch.

I know there are several products out there on the market, AQ3, ReefKeeper etc. Most of them way over priced and out of most peoples budgets.

Wondering if anyone knows of any other companies out there "other" thank Neptune Systems or Digital Aquatics. Surely they can't be the only ones in this business.
 
I am not aware of any other brands of controllers. That's not to say their aren't any out there though. I work in building automation and it has always kind of suprised me at how cheap they can offer a controller with the functions that these aquarium controllers have. If I were to do the same thing with our product line it would cost me at least twice as much.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9816687#post9816687 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Henry Bowman
Aquatronica They are a member in the sponsor forum and sold by Aquarium Obsessed also a sponsor. www.aquariumobsessed.com
Click to expand...

thats what i have... it costs more than the others but i like it...
 
www.x10.com

Cheap, reliable, programmable. For instance, I use two of their appliance modules and a macro to turn my powerheads on and off on a 3 minute cycle. Works for me.
 
Bebo77 your tank looks amazing, you must have spent a fair amount on that.

I have been looking at the Biotopus II as it has a elegant design. I like things to look clean and crisp for presentation. My tank is only a 20G tank, very small but will hopefully do the trick.

I want to add automation into this set up as most of what I have is automated, i.e. solar blinds, lighting etc. So thought I'd go one step further and add automation to the new saltwater tank I am in the process of installing. I'll post some pictures up as soon as I get a chance.

Anyone know how much the Biotopus II costs or if its actually worth investigating?

As for x10, I live in a condo so I dont think that will work for me with all the electrical interferance, I think it would cause me more problems than anything.

Lets brainstorm a little here, I am sure there is a company out in China that makes things at a fraction of the price.
 
I second the Aquatronica, almost infinitely expandable with new features/modules coming out on average every 6 months or so.

No offence Rovert, but XM 10 has not proven to be reliable enough to handle critical needs equipment like return pumps, heating/cooling etc. Lots of threads on this.

James
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9822475#post9822475 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesdawson
No offence Rovert, but XM 10 has not proven to be reliable enough to handle critical needs equipment like return pumps, heating/cooling etc. Lots of threads on this.

James
Click to expand...
Jim, none taken. I'm not aware of those threads, but I can say that after many years of using X10, I'm completely content. Per my post, I've been using two modules to cycle my two power heads on and off at 3 minute cycles with no problems. Other modules work actinic, each of my two MH lamps, the skimmer and main circulation pump.

Darren, I used this system in an apartment before, so I don't know what type of 'interference' you might be dealing with. Perhaps there's someone with some X10 in your area that might be willing to lend you the modules and controller, to see if it'll work out for you.

Anyway, just my two cents. It works for me, and has, for 6 years.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9816884#post9816884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rovert
www.x10.com

Cheap, reliable, programmable. For instance, I use two of their appliance modules and a macro to turn my powerheads on and off on a 3 minute cycle. Works for me.
Click to expand...

I would ertainly not consider x10 anything close to reliable. It is a 30 year old ONE WAY communications protocol. There is no error checking and no signaling to let the "controller" know that the target device has responded or is functioning properly (or is even available). The system is very susceptable to power line interferance and signaling can be a pain to troubleshoot.

Yeah x10 is kind of cool, but I would not trust it for my systems life support.

It can be hit or miss as far as problems. The bottom line is that there is nothing to "prevent" the problems.

As for controllers being "overpriced" that is not true at all. There are a dozen or more of us who have DIYed controllers. These controllers range from hacked linksys routers and dallas 1-wire to Motorola microprocessors, PICs or ATMELS based units, PC based with ISA, PCI or USB I/O, and several other designs. I do not think you will find one of us who has not spent at least twice as much as we could have purchased an off the shelf unit for.
 
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I have the Lighthouse that I bought from http://www.mcuresearch.com & have been very happy with it since I got it. It has web stats ORP & PH control for like 300 bucks. I personally don't see why anyone would buy anything else after using this product. MCU's Support is great too I had a problem one day (That was my own fault) & their tech support walked me thru my mistake in minutes!

Here is a link to my Lighthouse controller stats page.
http://tank.mooo.com:8085/
 
No that is the PH in the Calcium reactor chamber. I control my calcium reactor PH with the lighthouse. I have the same reactor you do. The Geo 6x18
 
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