Controller opinions

[flfirefighter13]

Im on the prowl for a controller, saw the comparison chart on the other forum but wonderign if anyone has any experience good or bad? Im thinking of a aquacontroller JR but may upgrade to a AQ3 anyone run either?

 

[cham]

Were you the guy that bought the RK1 from another member? If so I will take it off your hands.

Its hard to keep up with all the firefighters around here.

 

[flfirefighter13]

Yeah I commited to buying it but still havent gotten it, hopefully he's ready to release it Either way though I need two or three controllers for different tanks. Im gonna run the RK1 for a while and also whatever AQ I end up buying. You will be first in line for either one if I decide to sell and consolidate to one brand....... Which is very likely knowing me

 

[cham]

Sounds good, let me know if it turns out that way.

Thanks

 

[rdmpe]

I like my ACJr. They just get so expensive as you move up to the other models! It doesn't look as good as the RK2, but it has great functionality. I haven't had any trouble with it so far and have it set up so that I can program it from my laptop, view graphs of temperature and ph vs. time, etc. I really like the data logging and graphing. It allows you to see exactly what is going on with temperature and ph, how they correlate to lights being on/off, etc.

 

[wardworld]

Brian, I'm using the RKII and it's working great...although I really don't have anything to compare it to (re: other controllers).
P.S. Think I've the new tank finally adjusting....

 

[Boostable]

Im interested as well, I was going to pick up a Jr, but never did.. now I to the point I really need to have something keeping an eye on the system.. Gota be able to control the heat and cooling better , not to mention I need some failsafes..

 

[Boostable]

Where is this comparison?

 

[wardworld]

Jack, that's one of my favorite things about the RKII is to set my fans to come on when the tank reaches a certain temp. I'm sure the Jr. does the same.

 

[Boostable]

Are there other optoins out there worth looking at other then the AC or the RK?

 

[flfirefighter13]

The RK's look good, I just dont like the max of 8 hardwired plugs, I can see myself eating those up pretty quick, Randy is right opn the price jump though it goes way up to get into the mid to upper level units I keep wanting to just spend the extra cash on a AQ3 due to the fact that it can be a webserver, which would be very helpful to check stuff out while out of the house (I work 24hr shifts so it would be a nice piece of mind) I also like the multiple aquarium option, but Aquacontroller said the tanks have to be within 15' of eachother, seems kind of close for the technology thats out there, I may just hole off on the controller till someone makes one that can run multiple tanks through ethernet or something...... The again Im sure theres the potential for a very good DIY her if we had any electrical engineers on the board.

Anyone useing a controller with remote checking capabilities? It seems most of them do all the basics but I would love one that i can setup to either upload to a website or at least email or page alarms when something is out of wack, anyone found a way to do it with the AQ Jr's?

Jack, thanks for the valves, chart is at http://www.aquariumcontrollers.com/ there is a link to the RC thread discussing it on the bottom of the page, lots of good info.

 

[flfirefighter13]

Check this one out http://www.aquatronica.com/ seems very well thought out, Im downloading the product brochures now, but it seems to do everything I need and more, even has amodule to put a sim card from a cell phone in to get remote access

 

[Boostable]

Jack, thanks for the valves, chart is at http://www.aquariumcontrollers.com/ there is a link to the RC thread discussing it on the bottom of the page, lots of good info.

No problem at all.... I forgot all about that.. lol, hope thats what you where looking for.

 

[ben&bobbi]

When the tank hit the door, i started asking for a controller for christmas!

I bought some coral from this guy while back and was checking out his website. I don't know anything about these controllers, but thought this was neat.


http://www.coralfreaksreef.com/

 

[flfirefighter13]

Ben, that would be the AQ3 its in line as one of my favorites..... FYI the 180 just came inside

 

[ben&bobbi]

i am trying to get Jack to build me a sump, so i will post pone my trip your way till he's done - assuming he elects to build it. That makes a better excuse for the drive! plus that will give you a little more time to get it running!

 

[flfirefighter13]

Sounds good, you will be VERY happy with anything Jack builds, he makes some quality stuff

 

[RacerX308e]

I had the Aqua Jr and then upgraded to the III b/c I wanted the probes for PH and ORP and Neptune did an upgrade deal.

I love the controller. I have it hooked up to my computer and I can control everything from my desk. There is a wealth of info on this board for programming (make sure you program the nuke option- shuts everything down if temp up or down). I do not use the Webserver app as I use RDP with Windows XP to get to my computer from outside the office.

Had I had this controller, I would not have lost about $500 in new frags when my chiller went out and allowed the tank to cook. I will never have an expensive tank (sps/clams and the like) without such a controller. I have a softie/fish tank at home without a controller and don't worry about it b/c it is very basic (PC's/Heater/Skimmer) but with the enclosed MH's, my chiller and cal reactor on my office tank, I would not run without.

 

[flfirefighter13]

RDP = Remote Desktop correct? If so would that route allow me to control the AQ jr from away from home? That could make this a lot easier of a decision, I dont need the webserver as much as just being able to view from other places.

 

[RacerX308e]

Yes Remote Desktop. Not sure if the Jr. has an ethernet connection to hook to your computer so make sure it does.