Building My 375gal Glass Reef

[Makoto]

Yes very nice, can't wait to see it complete.

 

[EnglishRebel]

Tom
Does the ACIII have a USB port for WIFI? I have a USB adapter lying around (was hooked up to my TiVo) that I would like to use.
Thanks

 

[lakee911]

I'm not sure that it can be used for that, English. I could be wrong though. Another option would be to use the Ethernet port in conjunction with a wireless bridge. This would allow a wireless extension of your LAN.

Jason (not Tom)

 

[GlassReef]

EnglishRebel, lakee911 - Mornin' Alan. The ACIII doesn't have a USB port, but Jason is on target. You could use something along the lines of a game adapter to get 'er done.

Makoto - thank you, Sir.

 

[Typhon]

Tom.. Nice to see you integrated a AC III Pro. I am currently running the AC III and love it.

Just wondering where you got the separate small LCD for display? If it was a DIY, do you mind explaining how you made it?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13833626#post13833626 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef

The utility also feeds a small LCD screen with status data. The screen will be mounted on the living room wall, next to the tank and display a constantly updated snapshot of the most important tank parameters.

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13850713#post13850713 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Typhon
Just wondering where you got the separate small LCD for display? If it was a DIY, do you mind explaining how you made it?

The LCD display came from CrystalFontz America. Here's a link to the model: LCD Display

Credit for finding the display has to go to fellow RC member JB NY. He did all the leg work.

 

[Typhon]

Thanks for the link. Just wondering how are you linking the LCD to the ACIII Pro? Looks like they are selling USB attachments, but no serial port attachments? Also, are you planing on encasing the LCD? If yes, what?

Thanks..

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13850758#post13850758 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
The LCD display came from CrystalFontz America. Here's a link to the model: LCD Display

Credit for finding the display has to go to fellow RC member JB NY. He did all the leg work.

 

[GlassReef]

In reference to the LCD display - this is what it looks like. I'll make a nice frame for it and mount it in the living room, at eye level, beside the tank:

BTW: the color variance in the display is only visible in the pic - I'm assuming it stems from some polarizing effect caused by the backlight and camera lens.

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13850857#post13850857 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Typhon
Just wondering how are you linking the LCD to the ACIII Pro? Looks like they are selling USB attachments, but no serial port attachments? Also, are you planing on encasing the LCD? If yes, what?

They do sell serial displays - just go to their main menu - you'll see them. As far as linking the LCD to the ACIII - you have to have some software between the two, so a PC comes into play. There are a number of possible solutions. Mine will be connecting the ACIII to my wireless network using a LinkSys game adapter. I will have the LCD connected to a laptop in the fishroom - the same PC that will run my control program.

I will be making a frame for the LCD out of black acrylic and wood. Should look pretty cool.

 

[GlassReef]

BTW: if anyone is interested, I'd be glad (once the control program is finished ) to put together a little "stand alone" utility to automatically drive the LCD display. I'd be willing to pass it out for free if you make a SASE available. Prerequisite for getting the LCD to work would be:

1. ACIII (connected to a PC)
2. LCD display (see link a couple of posts above)
3. The LCD display must be connected to a PC via USB.

 

[JRaquatics]

Very cool what you can do with the LCD and would really be of interest for those that have fish rooms and want the controller to stay in the fish room but want to see the tanks status while viewing the tank. This would be great for Mikes new setup. Once you finish a control program can it be down loaded instead via web server?

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13851058#post13851058 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JRaquatics
Once you finish a control program can it be down loaded instead via web server?

Hi Jeremy! Downloading via web server is technically possible (even easy) - but for most people not practical because the utility would have to be delivered as an executable file (read: program) and most firewalls will not allow that. The problem can be gotten around but it's too much trouble and a little too complex for most non-computer geeks.

 

[JRaquatics]

What about zipping the files for the program so that it disguises its contents and decreases it's file size at the same time?

 

[GlassReef]

That's what I normally do - and would do in this case. I'm just trying to get myself on safe ground by using the USPS. That way, if someone has no experience with zipped files, etc. there is still no problem. I'm probably just being overly cautious.

 

[mflamb]

That's really cool Tom. I'll pm you for an address to send the SASE. What form of media will the file be on?

 

[EnglishRebel]

Tom
I converted to a Mac back in January and haven't looked back. Do you know if the ACIII program runs on a Mac?
Thanks

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13852891#post13852891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
That's really cool Tom. I'll pm you for an address to send the SASE. What form of media will the file be on?

PM sent.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13853211#post13853211 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnglishRebel
I converted to a Mac ... do you know if the ACIII program runs on a Mac?

Fraid not, Alan. I envy you. I couldn't get up enough nerve to switch. Just too much history with Bill Gates.

 

[erics3000]

SWEEEEEET..Love the LCD DISPLAY..JB NY thread is the reason I didn't buy the ACR JR with no com port. I am not sure if the new ones have one but I think I am going to get the Reefkeeper elite. It comes with all the probes for a decent price. This is really and incredible setup I really am going to love to see this in person one day. The time adn craftsmanship A+....

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13856465#post13856465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by erics3000
... I think I am going to get the Reefkeeper elite. It comes with all the probes for a decent price.

Thanks for the very kind words, Eric. I really wanted to buy the Elite. Seemed like a big technical step forward - but I got scared of the start-up problems that were reported. Should have held up for a while as most of the early problems seem to have been solved - but the ACIII's not bad either. It'll definitely handle everything I need.

 

[erics3000]

Handle everything and than some. There is very good support with the AC, and so many people on RC have them that can help if you get stuck. A big plus. If I get serious at the end of they year the external display will be the only thing that might hold me back. I still need to do some more research.