Neptune Aquacontroller Jr.
- Thread starter dmbnpj
- Start date
crumbletop
New member
Something to consider is that if the control unit turns off, the power strip stays in the same state it was last in. So if outlet 1 is on and outlet 2 is off, and I disconnect the controller -- the outlets will stay in the same state. I'm not sure about other controllers, but that is how it works with the AC line. For me this means that my return pump will remain on if the controller cuts off for some reason.
My main reason for getting a controller was I had a heater stick on and almost cook things. I looked into a dedicated temp controller, but with the pH probe, light timers, etc, it worked out to be cost effective for me to get a full fledged aquarium controller. I set it up to control my heaters, turn on fans, and cut the lights one by one if the temp started to rise out of control. It saved my tank once over the summer when my fans couldn't keep up and the temp kept rising. I came home from work to a dark tank, but the temp was still safe. I added some fans and the problem hasn't happened since -- but the controller did exactly what I bought it for
I also got multiple power strips (a DC8 and a DC-4HD) because I wanted my lights on one circuit, and my pumps on another. Each circuit has its own GFI -- so if the lights trip things they don't power down everything.
poppin_fresh
New member
I love the inifinite possibilities a controller gives you. I even let my AC turn my christmas lights on and off, so I didn't have to. The only drawback I've found is that the X10's dont always work in every outlet. Does the JR still use x10s?
crumbletop
New member
It can if you want, but they don't recommend it because it is unreliable in many situations. I use the Direct Connect (DC) power strips.
crumbletop
New member
crumbletop
New member
No. Ca probes are flaky. I don't know of anything that measures alk. You'll need good titratable test kits to do that like Salifert or Seachem. pH monitoring is useful to know when your pH is dropping out of its typical range -- and usually is a signal for me to add more kalk to the kalk reactor. pH doesn't usually tell you much about what the Alk is doing, though. For Alk and Ca I dose 2-part daily, which is no big deal. I measure them about once every 2 weeks now, but in the beginning I measured them much more frequently. There are some good articles on it in the sticky at the top of the Reef Chemistry forum:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=102605
dmbnpj
New member
Well I currently run a kalk reactor and plan on adding a calcium reactor. It would be nice if the AC Jr. could monitor and control the Ca and Alk but I didnt think it is possible.
Do you have to purchase a separate ph probe with the AC Jr. or does it come with the $280 combo from marinedepot with the serial port?
Do you have to purchase a separate ph probe with the AC Jr. or does it come with the $280 combo from marinedepot with the serial port?
crumbletop
New member
You have to get the pH probe if you get the deal from Marine Depot. Here is a better deal at Reefgeek:
http://www.reefgeek.com/product/Aqu...Std_pH_&_Temp_Probes_&_DC8_by_Neptune_Systems
If you are going to get a Ca reactor, that is a different story on the controlling part. People typically monitor the pH of the effluent to control the ca reactor. Typically those folks use 2 pH probes -- one for the tank pH and one for the effluent pH. You can cut off the kalk reactor, or the ca reactor if the pH values are too low/high etc. The AC Jr. only has one pH probe port, though. Monitoring the pH of the effluent isn't essential, from what I know, but I dose 2-part and haven't messed with Ca reactors...
http://www.reefgeek.com/product/Aqu...Std_pH_&_Temp_Probes_&_DC8_by_Neptune_Systems
If you are going to get a Ca reactor, that is a different story on the controlling part. People typically monitor the pH of the effluent to control the ca reactor. Typically those folks use 2 pH probes -- one for the tank pH and one for the effluent pH. You can cut off the kalk reactor, or the ca reactor if the pH values are too low/high etc. The AC Jr. only has one pH probe port, though. Monitoring the pH of the effluent isn't essential, from what I know, but I dose 2-part and haven't messed with Ca reactors...
dmbnpj
New member
Great link.
Im glad you jumped in on this thread, sounds like you know a lot about this product. Should I be looking into an AC 3 Pro or whatever the most expensive one is?
Does that one have more ports to monitor more such as the calcium reactor and kalk reactor?
Thanks for the help.
Im glad you jumped in on this thread, sounds like you know a lot about this product. Should I be looking into an AC 3 Pro or whatever the most expensive one is?
Does that one have more ports to monitor more such as the calcium reactor and kalk reactor?
Thanks for the help.
crumbletop
New member
If you can afford it, I'd go with an ACIII. It has 2 ports that can be used for pH monitoring. It also has built-in ethernet, a built-in web server, email alerts, battery backup, can control more channels, has multiple digital inputs for things like float switches to cut the return pump if the sump gets too low, etc. For a Ca reactor + kalk reactor you'll really only need 2 pH probes. If you ever did need more, you can always add a PX1000 expansion box. The Jr. can't be expanded. I am satisfied with my Jr., but sometimes I wish I had the III. I don't think I'd go with the III pro.
I installed an AC Jr 3 weeks ago, I should have done it much sooner. I no longer have to keep adjusting those [profanity] timers plus there are endless programming possibilities. I liked it so much I added an additional DC4 to my excisting DC8.
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Nano Chris
Active member
I am getting one when i save up the money (ACPRO III 
)
)
jmait769
-CSHFLW
I would just add that, besides the Tunze Osmolator, this is a must have for piece of mind for me.
Here is a great thread called <a href="http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=997688" target="_blank">The Big Controller Comparison Chart</a> by RobbyG and his website: www.aquariumcontrollers.com Great side-by-side comparison. You need MS Excel to view the chart!
Jay
Here is a great thread called <a href="http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=997688" target="_blank">The Big Controller Comparison Chart</a> by RobbyG and his website: www.aquariumcontrollers.com Great side-by-side comparison. You need MS Excel to view the chart!
Jay
