Controllers and Monitors

[pookstreet]

I am in the process of gathering info on temp controllers and monitors for my tanks, in view of the heat losses I suffered this past week. I want to be able to turn on fans when the tank temp rises above a certain degree or turn on heaters when it drops too low. I know dual stage temp controllers will do that. But I am also curious about the various other monitors out there that can do that and more.

The temp controllers alone aren't cheap to begin with, generall in the $175 range for a dual stage controller. On the other hand, something like the Neptune AC Jr. isn't that much more and seems to be able to do much more. I already have pH monitors for my tanks.

Has anyone used both and give me some guidance. Or if you have only used one or the other, I would like your input also. Thanks in advance.

 

[tptp279]

just to give you the heads up with the neptune controller you also have to buy the dc-4's and/or a dc-8 depending on if you want to hook up other things to it. there's a cheaper controller out there though, i don't remember what it was but i'll see if i can find it.

 

[rbdesigns]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7515039#post7515039 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tptp279
just to give you the heads up with the neptune controller you also have to buy the dc-4's and/or a dc-8 depending on if you want to hook up other things to it. there's a cheaper controller out there though, i don't remember what it was but i'll see if i can find it.

Is it the Reef Keeper 2? It retails for $270, put u buy the ph probe separately.

http://www.digitalaquatics.com/

 

[littlevietnam]

get the reef keeper 1, since you don't need thr ph.

 

[stryker]

i use my acjr for a hood fan and a sump fan and my cl pump all on temp control. get the acjr and sell your ph controller.

 

[tptp279]

yeah, that's what i was thinking but just the reef keeper, not the 2. it's 219 so nm...

 

[jameschho]

The AC Jr. is $250 w/ DC-8 and temp probe (no pH probe). If you get it with a serial port installed ($30) you can expand it to allot more things like email, pager and sms alarms, web based status and control, graphs / reports, ect. Although the RK1 is $215 but does not do pH and is not very expandable. I did the value comparison and decided that you just get so much more with the AC Jr. for the money.

 

[JenDub]

where can you get that deal?

 

[jameschho]

Direct from neptune! Ships from San Jose, arrives promptly!

http://www.neptunesys.com/

Order Page:

https://estore.neptunesys.com/neptune/store/agora.cgi?cart+id=&product=Combos

Make sure you select DC-8 as your power option.

Curt at neptune is also very helpful with technical support.

 

[pookstreet]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like the AC Jr. might be the option for my home tank.


Terry, how do you like your AC Jr.? What accessories did you get?


jameschho, did you get the AC Jr. and how do you like it so far?

 

[NicoleC]

Be forewarned: many modern computers no longer have a serial port. You can usually add serial ports to desktops for under $25.

 

[tptp279]

i think they all come with ethernet ports now... call and ask

 

[pookstreet]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7516174#post7516174 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NicoleC
Be forewarned: many modern computers no longer have a serial port. You can usually add serial ports to desktops for under $25.

LOL........good point Nicole. I almost forgot that serial ports were used during the Ice Age of computer technology of the not too distant past :rolleye1: How fast it all changes. I guess I'll have to break out my 486 from mothball :lol:

 

[NicoleC]

They also have serial RS232 to USB adapter cables... darned if I know if they would work for such an interface.

 

[glaudds]

I've got the RK2 and have been happy with it. No experience with the ACjr, so I can't compare. In a nutshell, the RK2 does everything I need..temp control, ph control, wavemaker, lighting control, standby. Very easy to configure and setup also.
What sold me was the cool, blue backlit display .

 

[jameschho]

I really like my AC Jr., The feature set rocks. I use it hooked up to a old laptop running aquanotes and a webserver. It sends sms messages to my cell phone when any of my user defined alarms go off and using my cell phone I can log in to the webserver interface and control the tank from my phone. I turn on/off fans, lights heaters pumps, skimmer, everything. Also the feed timer ensures that I never forget to turn the flow back on after feeding again. The programing interface is very flexible once you understand how it evaluates and what params are evaluate-able. I also really like the logging features so I can see trends in my tank and also what may be happening when I'm sleeping or at work. Although I'm not using them now the seasonal variation capabilities of the controller are very interesting.

On a down note I've been having some problems with my temp probe that the unit came with (erratic readings). However, neptue has been very helpful in trying to diagnose the problem and I'm currently waiting for a replacement temp probe in the mail (should come today or tomorrow). I'll let you guys know how it works out.

Overall I like how neptue has not stripped the AC Jr. of the features it's big brothers have, just trimmed out hardware cost. Any features lost with trimming the hardware can be easily put back in with a old PC and the purchase of the aquanotes software. If you plan to do this down the road make sure you spend the extra $30 for the serial port option!

 

[stryker]

after using the acjr for 6 months i have the following to share

pros -
awesome for temp control of multiple devices.
fairly easy to install and program.
Operating system is stable and has never hung up or stalled.
Temp measurement is reliable.
Simple yet cool display - get the backlit version for sure!

cons -
pH measurement drifts and constantly reads ~.3 higher than normal - but it stays there. I calibrated twice but no change. probe is in good condition.

x10 modules are somewhat unreliable. Sometimes the fans will will not be working the way the acjr is directing them to. I would have to reset the x10 interface by unplugging it and pluggin it back in. Maybe the DC units are more reliable.

Annoying clicking sound every time x10 modules turn an appliance on/off. I think there is a fix for this.

Hope this helps. Overall I would recommend this controller.

 

[jameschho]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7517609#post7517609 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stryker_578
x10 modules are somewhat unreliable. Sometimes the fans will will not be working the way the acjr is directing them to. I would have to reset the x10 interface by unplugging it and pluggin it back in. Maybe the DC units are more reliable.

Annoying clicking sound every time x10 modules turn an appliance on/off. I think there is a fix for this.

I agree, X-10 sucks I would never get a controller that relies on X-10 modules. The DC8 does away with all of that, it's rock solid.

Your pH comments are interesting though. I have noting to compare it against except a chemical test kit with color chips. It seams odd that it would still be off after calibration though, have you posted in the neptune sponsor area about this?

What is important to me with regards to pH is the ability to track it's rise and fall over the course of a day to make sure it's not way out of whack for some reason.

BTW: What really sold me on the AC Jr. was the internet and computer accessibility features because I'm a geek and I obsesses about my tank conditions endlessly (just ask my girlfriend ), gives me some piece of mind.

-James

 

[pookstreet]

Some very good info. Thanks.

I spoke with another reefer today and he mentioned that X10 modules aren't that reliable at all. So your comments just confirmed that.

On the pH readings drifting, I seem to have a similar problem with my Pinpoint pH monitor, just not as severe. I find that it is often affected by other electrical equipment sharing the same powerstrip. I find that when I turn off a certain powerhead, the reading would dip ~.2 or so and slowly climb back up. I have 2 pH monitors and both were calibrated the same and sitting in the same water next to each other. One reads .05 or so higher. Go figure.

 

[slavearm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7516424#post7516424 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NicoleC
They also have serial RS232 to USB adapter cables... darned if I know if they would work for such an interface.

They work.