Tank Controlers.. Which is best (I'm looking at 2)

[funman1]

Well I know that Neptune Systems is better but is it really worth the extra cost.
I'm looking to get the AquaController III
OR
http://www.digitalaquatics.com/ The Reefkeeper 2

The reefkeeper 2 seems like it has a LOT less features, but it's 1/4 the cost of the other one.

I do like the web function on the Neptune, (That way I can monitor my tank at work or anywhere)


What do you guys think?
What do you run, and how do you like it?

Thanks
~Steve~

 

[funman1]

Guees no one uses these or has a pref..
hmmmm

 

[michaeldaly]

The aquatronica is supposed to be very good

 

[RobbyG]

Aquatronica is very good, very expandable, updatable via the internet and also a sleek looking unit.

For Aquatronica check out

http://www.aquariumobsessed.com
www.aquatronica.com
www.finsreef.com

The Big Aquatronica thread
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=514711&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

If you have even more money to spend there is Elos systems , it has just about everything the Aquatronica has and a webserver and sms module. Not many people on the forum have any expeirence with it, so little is know on it's usage.

 

[funman1]

hmm thanks for the links..
That unit looks much nicer but looks like it has 1/2 the features of the AquaController III and is much less expandable..

I guess not too many people use these systems.. (prolly cause timers are cheaper)

Thanks guys..
~Steve~

 

[Opiy]

That I know of the AC Jr is more comparable to the ReefKeep2 than the AC3. It is really going to depend on your budget for a controller. With that set it will help narrow down the options. Since I don't have one I can't give personal experience but I plan to buy the AC Jr for my 120g when I get a chance.

 

[Psyire]

I'm not sure how you figure the Aquatronica is much less expandable than the ACIII? It's actually 'way' more expandable. The only feature that the ACIII is actually better at is the webserver.

 

[1SickReefer]

What about the problems you Aquatronica users are experiencing with PH, salinity probes etc. the last 3rd of the 'Big AQT" thread does not fare so well. lots of problems and very slow in getting a replacement part if something does go bad.

 

[crumbletop]

I just got an AquaController Jr., which as mentioned previously is comparable to the ReefKeeper 2. It has more features than the RK2, and is more customizable. You can also get one now for less than an RK2. I paid $280 (shipped) for my AC Jr. with an 8-outlet box (DC-8), temp and pH probes. The RK2 costs about that much without the pH probe. So far mine is working great, but I've only had it for a few days...

Jack

 

[funman1]

cool thanks

The AC can controll 32 devices I don't think the RK2 can do that many.

~Steve~

 

[crumbletop]

The AC Jr. can control 12. I think the AC III pro can do up to 30. The RK2 is somewhat expandable (can do up to 16, I think), but it would be a lot of $ to do that and it would have a lot of extra cords. I believe the RK2 expands by plugging in a 2 outlet strip to the main unit. You can do that 8 times for a total of 16 sockets. I believe you still only have independent control over the original 8, though, and you'd need 9 power outlets to do all of that. The AC stuff is somewhat simpler by design. You daisy-chain other power strips using a standard 4-wire modular phone cord.

Jack

 

[RobbyG]

All taken care of now, the supplier ran out of stock and the manufactorer is in Italy, so it took longer than expected.
pH probes have all been replaced with updated versions and all the people that needed it got free replacements.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6991656#post6991656 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbirdjjones10
What about the problems you Aquatronica users are experiencing with PH, salinity probes etc. the last 3rd of the 'Big AQT" thread does not fare so well. lots of problems and very slow in getting a replacement part if something does go bad.

 

[RobbyG]

You need to look again, it's way more expandable. It does not used dedicated ports, it's all USB ports so you can plug any future probe right in.

I think they are releasing the SMS module next month and the webserver a month or two after that.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6991338#post6991338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funman1
hmm thanks for the links..
That unit looks much nicer but looks like it has 1/2 the features of the AquaController III and is much less expandable..

I guess not too many people use these systems.. (prolly cause timers are cheaper)

Thanks guys..
~Steve~

 

[CookieJar]

I've got a RK2 and it works great. I don't have a reference to other controllers though. It does everything I need and the variables/ channels allow me to make the settings I like. A Ph probe would be nice, but I don't seem to have a Ph fluctuation problem (I think).

 

[compulou]

Cookie,

The RK2 does have an input for a PH Probe (extra cost). I have one on mine.

 

[greg10]

This is a great thread. I'm also looking into a controller.

Aside from temperature and pH, what else could/should you monitor?

I currently have my lights controlled with x10 devices, so i'm not worried about lighting control.