Controller options

rcmike

rcmike

Active member
Hey guys, I am in need of a temp controller since all my heaters get stuck on eventually. I figured instead of spending $100+ on a dedicated temp controller a multi controller would be much better. I am seriously looking at the Aquacontroller Jr. and the Aquacontroller III. The price of the ACJr. is attractive and it has most of the features I would use. I do like the fact that the ACIII can be connected to a network so I can monitor things from upstairs at my Laptop though since my tanks are in the basement. The ACIII can also be expanded to control more than one tank. That is a nice feature since I have several tanks.

I guess my question really is whether the ACIII is worth the extra money?
 
I have the Jr. When I am away from my house and want to check the tank, I have the Jr. at home plugged into a computer. I use a program called VNC (or could use remote desktop on windows XP). With that program I can connect to my home computer where I can control my home computer like I am at home.

With that being said if I could have afforded the ACIII I would have gotten it. I don't think though I would have gotten all the use out of it that is possible with it. One thing no matter which you get.. Make sure you get enough DC8's and DC4's. They are much less expensive when bought with a unit. I would get a DC4 for the lights and heaters if your heaters draw alot of wattage. The DC8 can't handle alot of wattage and I had to send mine back once to get it repaired because I was over working it.
 
I looked at the ACIII and I still only saw one port for temp control... Does it have more than one? How would you control temp in multiple tanks with it?

I got mine from http://www.thereefstop.com/
Cheapest place at the time I found it (I didi get it on a group buy though)
 
I purchased (actually, santa claus brought me one :p) an AC3 for christmas. I'm totally hooked. I wanted the ethernet port, so ac jr. wasnt an option. The amount of control makes me feel much better, and looking at the graphs with how steady my temperature has been since i don't rely on the heater thermostats makes me very happy :)

I think there is pcx1000 module that allows you to add more probes.

Also, curt posts constantly on rc and is super helpful with any problems you may encounter during setup.
 
I bought a reefkeeper 2 a couple of months ago and I have been really happy with it. It doesn't do orp though and the data logging that will be available soon is by serial connection not ethernet. Other than that it has been great.
 
That is what I gathered. Has anyone actually seen the PCX 1000 for sale? I have read about it but can't find out how much it is. I plan on just using it for one tank right now but possibly expanding it in the future. I really don't plan on using everything right off but there are a few features that I like with the ACIII. I won't say that I need either one but I think they would make my life easier. Plus, gadgets are fun. :D
 
I bought my Jr. from reeftanksupply.com. Tell Gal of your questions and he will help if he can. I love mine and once I go to the big tank, I plan on upgrading.

Rob
 
Yeah, the AC III has some cool features. It looks like you can get it here:

http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=21338&cat=379&page=1

As long as you are considering stuff in the AC III price range, you may also want to check out Aquatronica. The Aquatronica is supposed to be very expandable, but is also spendy. I believe Ridgeline has one so you may want to shoot him a PM if that interests you.

FWIW, Steve Weast uses a neptune controller on his tank. I keep thinking that since I have an AC Jr. my tank will look like his. It hasn't happened yet, but I'm still waiting. They say patience is a virtue in this hobby :D
 
Thanks guys, I found a link to a chart that compairs controllers and I will have to study it. There are several choices and it can get confusing.
 
When I last saw that spreadsheet it contained a ton of controllers that are not sold in the US, or have very little support in the US. It might make things more confusing...
 
Yeah, I am mainly comparing the ACJr, the ACIII, and the aquatronica. It is nice to see a side by side comparison. I just had my heater fan motor die this evening so I will have to see how much that is going to cost before I even think about a controller.:rolleyes:
 
Another is the lighthouse from premium aquatics.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...roduct_Code=PA-LHC&Category_Code=othercontrol

Ive had mine for about a year. All i really wanted was something that i could monitor while at work, would graph, and would send me text msg or email incase of issue. I have the older version so my notifications are by my own creation. I also am not a fan of x10 so i preferred the mechanical relay design.

Here is a link to mine... http://68.52.98.23:59999/ (I will change this ip in a few days)
I calibrated my ORP probe for the first time last night...lol. I dont put much stock in ORP measurement but its nice to see fluctuations and guess as to their cause!

It is lacking in some features but for me, it does what i care about most.
 
The only problem with the Lighthouse is that it cannot expand to monitor and/or control multiple tanks. As far as I know it has a max of 4 controllable outlets. The max for the AC Jr. is 12, and the AC III and Aquatronica can accommodate much more than that.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9043236#post9043236 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crumbletop
The only problem with the Lighthouse is that it cannot expand to monitor and/or control multiple tanks. As far as I know it has a max of 4 controllable outlets. The max for the AC Jr. is 12, and the AC III and Aquatronica can accommodate much more than that.
Click to expand...

True, the others use x10, therefor they can control many more outlets. Even when they add another strip, it still wont control as many as the AC's do.
Does anyone have theirs "network" enabled, I'd like to see graphs from an AC.
 
Neptune can use X10 if you want, but that is no longer recommended (unreliable). I use the direct connect power strips. I don't have networking enabled on mine.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9043561#post9043561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crumbletop
Neptune can use X10 if you want, but that is no longer recommended (unreliable). I use the direct connect power strips. I don't have networking enabled on mine.
Click to expand...

Ahh... i am behind... they are using power strips now?.... nice!
 
Well, I guess I am going to have to wait a little while to get one. My heater was $326 to fix and I am buying doodoobrowns Oceans Motions thing. I still want the ACIII but may just get the Jr. I can justify the cost more but I hate to get something and wish I had gotten a more capable one.
 
FWIW I contemplated between the ACIII and Jr, lighthouse and the reefkeeper II for quite a while and ended up getting the ACIII with the DC8 and heavy duty DC4. Mainly because I could afford it at the time and I didn't want to just upgrade later.
Chris
 
I think I have decided to go with the AC III for my big tank I would like to see yours working Chuck some time to make sure it will work for me as I am so dumb on some of these things.
 
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