electronic side of reefing help

[admann]

to start with I see drawings in people's post's all the tome from simple to very detailed. what program dose every one use to do this?

also can you all give me some pointers on what brands or set ups to use for all the electric stuff... ATO, float switch's for main tank, controllers, ect...

also what exactly what dose a controller do?

thanks in advance for your help...trying to get my design down and the whole set up right the first time.

 

[sonapl]

from my understanding, a controller turns on and off lights, pumps, fans, etc. depending on how you have it set up. For example, you can have your heater on it and unless the temps drop to your low setting it will not turn on. You can also ues it as a timer to control when the lights come on. If the tank reaches a high temp it can turn off say MH lights and turn on cooling fans. This is really a basic explaination but I hope it helps.

Not sure what to suggest as far as electronic stuff as each person will have something different that works for them. Most of our stuff is DIY. We have built the sump, skimmer, and ATO system. Of course in hind sight we have tried different light fixtures. Currently we use T-5s and like them a lot.

Do a lot of reading and designing and then do the build. Just keep in mind, patience is everything if you plan to do it just once.

 

[crvz]

I've really enjoyed the products made by neptune systems, in particular I have the AquaController 3. I enjoy the built in web server as much as anything, as it gives me the ability to monitor the tank from anywhere I've got internet. It also allows for programming and gives a lot of options with add on hardware for turning stuff on/off and monitoring various parameters.

 

[jon56048]

For me I am using diy power station & 3 American DJ PowerStation and 2 digital timers for lights and 2 digital timers with Drew’s Dosers for two part dosing. For light 2 Lumenarc III Mini Metal with Mogul Socket
2 48" (VHO, T12) Super Actinic R, 110W -UV Lighting
1 Icecap 430 Electronic VHO Ballast
2 10,000K XM - 250W Single Ended lamps
2 Icecap 250W Metal Halide
Electronic Ballast
For pump’s I am running mag 9.5 for return and for water movement in the tank I am looking to get 2 Seio 2600 and 2 Seio 1500 and running them on
SEIO Controller

For ph I use Milwaukee Instruments
For Salinity I use Milwaukee Instruments Refractometer
For oto I went to www.aquahub.com
And my skimmer is XMS 200
And tds and ro/di system is from the thefilterguys.biz

 

[admann]

bump