Controller Questions

[The_Chad]

I am starting a 65 gal Extra Tall here end of July to mid August and I want it to be fully automated. I am already looking into the ACJR (no display) with the PM1 and lab grade temp and Ph probes, Spectrapure top off sensors and 2 x Toms aquatics dosing pumps. 150W JBJ Heater (controlled by the ACJR hopefully), 250W pendant with a Pheonix 15K(also controlled by ACJR), Coralife super skimmer hang-on, and 2 550gph hydor koralia evolutions(also controlled by ACJR).

My biggest issue right now is that I am running all the hoses and wires through protected channels running through a wall from my bedroom to my closet where all my equipment will be, which is about 75 ft from my internet router. Need an internet solution w/o running 75 ft of cable. Also if you see any flaws in my setup plz let me know, not quite sure what all the ACJR can do for me.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated

 

[blakers82]

The_Chad,

There are some good, imformative people here that are sure to chime in on your setup preparation!

To answer what I believe is your intended question, a gaming adaptor (I happen to have a Trendnet) can send information to and from a controller. However, The AC Jr. doesn't have a web server so you can not control from afar with a computer or phone.. I've read of a way to be able to read current parameters from an ACJr via the web, but I'm uneducated on this and thought it to be a bit of work. If you know what you are doing, then you can get a gaming adaptor to hook into your controller (once again, I don't think the Jr even has an ethernet outlet/inlet).
.
If you want to go Neptune and want web server access, you can go with a (now discontinued) AquaController3 or the newer Apex controller. These both have Internet options.

Whatever controller you get, you will enjoy it's ability to keep temps in a set range and control lights, skimmers, dosers etc...

 

[cjilge]

Blake is right. I have the acjr and it does not have the internet server on it so you would have to run cable to your computer. The Apex is a better option if you want to have access 24/7. I love my acjr but it wont do some of the things the Apex will. I do suggest to control your heater with its normal controls and use the acjr as a fail safe. ex; heater set at 78deg's acjr set as if heat > 80 deg heat off, if heat < 78.9 heat on. Make sence? programming is pretty easy once you play with it for a few minutes

 

[The_Chad]

I appreciate the responses, would have been very disappointed when i set up the ACJR. The whole reason for me spending the money on a controller is because my wife doesn't want to have to care for a saltwater tank again and I work 8 days on and 4 days off. So I have made the decision to splurge for the Full apex package and PM2 for conductivity monitoring, and I have my eyes set on the netgear gaming adapter (Thank you Blakers). I will also be running the I/O Breakout box for the ATO. Has anyone had any comments good or bad about the SpectraPure Float system? The extra money will be pushing me back about 2 weeks on startup, should be up and cycled by mid to late august.

I thank you all for your responses and help

 

[Tank Girl]

Hi there.

Are you looking at apex jr or acjr? Because acjr does not have ability to connect to PM modules and only works with display. Only apex jr, apex lite or apex can be connected to those modules and work without a display. If you are looking at apex jr it does comes with ethernet port. I set up my controller to be connected wirelessly to the internet router through netgear adapter. If you have more questions shoot me pm.

Bye for now

 

[ghellin]

I have the Apex running on the Netgear game adapter it works very well. The Apex unit will run two pH probes or a pH and one ORP, plus the temp probe. So if you have a calcium reactor and need two pH probes like I do you can skip the ORP and go double pH or add the PM2 like you stated above. I bought a 75' Neptune bus cable and ran it into my back bedroom and added a second EB8 and a PM1 so now I am running two tanks off my apex. I also use the android app to control both tanks. You can also set the Apex to email and text you tank updates. For instance whenever my ATO reservoir is low I get a text telling me time to fill up.