Lets talk Controllers, options, functionality, cost, dependability, expansion.....

[ReefRescue]

That was a real answer. I may buy an alk, calcium, mg test kit once a year. I see no reason to constantly by the second know their numbers. Sure it would be cool to have but again not for $500 a year. If it was $100 a year maybe. But I still don't spend that much on testing kits a year.

now we have a starting to work from. I just see a lot of interfaces and products bombarding the market now. Some simply just don't work. Some are way to complicated for the end user to bother. Some are way too expensive for the average person in the hobby. So it would be nice to compile an honest database from people that are using controllers and interfaces and measuring devices to see what works and what doesn't? are they impressed with what they have because there is simply nothing else out there or is the product really that good.
really what are some real options for controllers in the market ?

 

[vhuang168]

If you are talking about a module system like 1 used by Apex then I'd say $100 for the module and about $100-$150 a year in consumables IF it measures Alk,Ca and Mg with a reasonable range of accuracy, similar to currently available test kits.

If a stand alone unit, $200-$300 depending on feature set and $100 a year in consumables with the same stipulation as above.

 

[ReefRescue]

If you are talking about a module system like 1 used by Apex then I'd say $100 for the module and about $100-$150 a year in consumables IF it measures Alk,Ca and Mg with a reasonable range of accuracy, similar to currently available test kits.

If a stand alone unit, $200-$300 depending on feature set and $100 a year in consumables with the same stipulation as above.

Just clarify $100 per module per parameter? Or $100for all 3?

 

[vhuang168]

Just clarify $100 per module per parameter? Or $100for all 3?

Let me revise that. $60-$80 per module per parameter or $120-$150 if all 3.

 

[wcharon]

Somebody have experience with the Aquatronica Touch??? Thinking about it.

 

[Johnseye]

come on lets get some real answers to constant alk monitoring with 3-5% error?
what would you pay for equipment?
-standalone
-controller interfaces?ie apex reefkeeper and so on
what would you pay for reusable ?

Apex integrated or stand alone I'd pay around $300. No more than $400.

 

[ReefRescue]

Pm me about the touch

 

[wcharon]

Pm me about the touch

Pm'd.

 

[Madrid Dan]

I'm in Europe and the Profilux is a lot more common here. A bit pricey, but it does everything I want.

What I would like to see is a controllable 9-12 volt powerbar so I could get rid of all those converters that come with nearly every piece of gear and what must be least thirty feet of cable.

 

[ReefRescue]

How many amps in total are you drawing on the 9 and the 12 respectively?

 

[ReefRescue]

So the total usage of 9v in miliamps
The total usage of 12v in miliamps

 

[ReefRescue]

How is the customer service in Europe for profilux.

 

[Madrid Dan]

Fortunately, haven,t really needed support. Their website forum has lots of stuff though.

 

[Madrid Dan]

How many amps in total are you drawing on the 9 and the 12 respectively?

Each piece of gear would be different I suppose. I guess ideally this could be all controlled by the software.

What I want is a powerbar that I can plug all of my single pin connectors into instead of the powerbar with just six wall outlets

 

[ReefRescue]

Each piece of gear would be different I suppose. I guess ideally this could be all controlled by the software.



What I want is a powerbar that I can plug all of my single pin connectors into instead of the powerbar with just six wall outlets

What do you mean by a single pin connector?
If you look in the back of the power supplies for each one of your interfaces it would say how many milliamps or amps is The max car and capability of each adapter.

 

[kurt_n]

That was a real answer. I may buy an alk, calcium, mg test kit once a year. I see no reason to constantly by the second know their numbers. Sure it would be cool to have but again not for $500 a year. If it was $100 a year maybe. But I still don't spend that much on testing kits a year.

Totally agree with this. I'd pay $100-$120/year for the ability to constantly monitor alkalinity - but not in addition to buying any type of required hardware. I already have an Apex system so buying new hardware on top of a yearly fee would be out of the question. My alk/cal is pretty stable after having many years to dial it in.

But honestly, after having it for a year or two, I'd probably drop it if I had to keep paying it year after year... assuming I saw a pattern or consistency. It's no different than the "professional" water analysis that was all the rage a while back, for a few brief moon cycles. I used the service once. Once was all I needed to confirm that yes, my test kits were accurate. It also confirmed that other numbers that I didn't have test kits for were within an acceptable range.

 

[Madrid Dan]

What do you mean by a single pin connector?
If you look in the back of the power supplies for each one of your interfaces it would say how many milliamps or amps is The max car and capability of each adapter.

What I want is a powerbar something like the picture, but with each socket controlled.

 

[E46er]

For years I always thought a controller wasnt necessary so I never bought one. A heater failed on and my temp started rising (I use 2 small heaters that are not capable of cooking my tank if one fails on , good thing!) So I ended up buying a reef keeper lite and a second power bar. With my 2x250 MH fixture with moonlights and actinics it was good.
I had the following configuration
Bar1 MH MH skimmer and moon lights
Bar 2 was actinics return pump cl pump and splitter into 2 heaters.

Now I have programmable LEDs with 1 cord instead of the 4 no CL and programmable power heads so basically all my controller does now is show me the temp and PH turn off my return and skimmer with buttons instead of unplugging or wiring in switches.
I guess the biggest benifit to me right now is the heater failing on protection.
I'm not going to sell it but where my tank is right now its expensive equipment to maintain my tank temp to a 0.2* swing throughout the day.
I dont run a CA reactor or kalk house has AC so no chiller.
I'm going to use the now empty powerbar for pumps to basically automate WC.I also don't run an ATO my return section is my sump is large so it takes 10 gal to evaporate for a 0.001 sg change.
The apex is a far more capable unit but I no longer see the need when it seems all the new equipment has its own controllers.

 

[DaveMorris]

My idea for the perfect controller is one that uses a backplane for power supply and I/O connectors. Each element or "module" that you need would be on a small card that slides into the backplane frame. The Profilux has something a little like this but I would want it to be fully user selectable. You would have cards for each different probe or maybe two probes on each card. Have a main box that can hold 5 or 10 of these cards and then some smaller ones to use for "remote" placement up in the hood or in the fishroom. You have EcoTech Vortechs and want to control them? Just add the Ecotech card into the system. It could be done very cost effectively and would be so customizable that I couldn't see anybody complaining about it. Now we just need someone to step up to the plate and build it!

 

[ReefRescue]

My idea for the perfect controller is one that uses a backplane for power supply and I/O connectors. Each element or "module" that you need would be on a small card that slides into the backplane frame. The Profilux has something a little like this but I would want it to be fully user selectable. You would have cards for each different probe or maybe two probes on each card. Have a main box that can hold 5 or 10 of these cards and then some smaller ones to use for "remote" placement up in the hood or in the fishroom. You have EcoTech Vortechs and want to control them? Just add the Ecotech card into the system. It could be done very cost effectively and would be so customizable that I couldn't see anybody complaining about it. Now we just need someone to step up to the plate and build it!

what would this be worth?$$$$