The Big Controller Comparison Chart.
- Thread starter RobbyG
- Start date
swedish steel
Member
That Biomatix looks interesting. I've been looking at the ACIII product, but concerned that the setup appears to be like a programing language/thought process.
perpetual98
New member
Yup! Got is via UPS yesterday. I'll post an in-depth review when I get it all set up and stuff. So far, so good. It's running my lights and moonlights, as well as temp, and monitoring my pH. I've got wires going all over my office! When I get it all configured, I'll mount everything where it needs to be and get it all cleaned up.
I bounced a couple questions off of Ron via email and he was quick to respond.
I bounced a couple questions off of Ron via email and he was quick to respond.
invincible569
New member
Is it next week yet? Any hints? Why is it surprising?
swimboy123
Reef-a-holic
awesome
EleutheraRox
Premium Member
Ok, so it's next week already... what's the surprise? 
RobbyG
Active member
Just Updated the Chart
The Surprise is the much rumored Aqua Medic Controller. It's been talked about in the Aquatronica Forum as a sibling version of the Aquatronica, while it is the same in many ways, it does have differences in Both Hardware and PC Software.
The Hardware changes are not just slight cosmetic changes, the modules are completely different, and the powerbars use different connectors for Level/Temp, also the controllers Internal battery Backup battery is easily removable and is totally different.
The PC software is a major reconfiguration from the Aquatronica's and has some features that the AQ does not have. On the other hand, the firmware seems to include many features of the recent Aquatronica 3.0 Firmware.
This controller is now being sold in the UK/EU, I am told that it will also be sold in the USA. I was also told that for those in the USA who want it now, you can most likely order it from a UK distributor and then use the Aquatronica 110V powerbars and float switches with it.
New Aquatronica owners will find the Link to the Aquamedic Manual a welcome relief as it is much better written and will certainly make it easier for first time users to learn how to use the Aquatronica.
The Surprise is the much rumored Aqua Medic Controller. It's been talked about in the Aquatronica Forum as a sibling version of the Aquatronica, while it is the same in many ways, it does have differences in Both Hardware and PC Software.
The Hardware changes are not just slight cosmetic changes, the modules are completely different, and the powerbars use different connectors for Level/Temp, also the controllers Internal battery Backup battery is easily removable and is totally different.
The PC software is a major reconfiguration from the Aquatronica's and has some features that the AQ does not have. On the other hand, the firmware seems to include many features of the recent Aquatronica 3.0 Firmware.
This controller is now being sold in the UK/EU, I am told that it will also be sold in the USA. I was also told that for those in the USA who want it now, you can most likely order it from a UK distributor and then use the Aquatronica 110V powerbars and float switches with it.
New Aquatronica owners will find the Link to the Aquamedic Manual a welcome relief as it is much better written and will certainly make it easier for first time users to learn how to use the Aquatronica.
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invincible569
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9558856#post9558856 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobbyG
Yes it's pretty cool to have another Major vendor making a controller. As more companies get involved, the controllers are bound to get better each year
And more competive in pricing.
RobbyG
Active member
Very true
One of the things I wish I had gotten on the AquaMedic was the MSRP preferably in US$. I also had trouble finding out about the possibility of it using the Aquatronica Ethernet and Dosing pump modules. I would assume they won't work because the Firmware most likely does not have them incorporated.
Robby, can you tell me off hand, if the Salinity probes are made to be submersed to allow for long term monitoring? Or are they like the Calcium probes needing to be dry between uses. I used to have the aray of pinpoints, but dialed down now to only calcium - And special thanks to Lou for all his help. But now am dialing in on te controller.
The Salinity monitor I used to have would "creep" and could not be trusted. at first it was correct... but after several hours would be wrong. I later found that these were not designed to be used long term - or in real time.
I ask because I have had problems with my skimmer, patched directly into the drain, would go nuts, and remove say 3 gallons of sw, and then the tank tops with fresh... over 3-5 days my salinity fell. It would be great to set an alarm, but if the accuracy cannot be assured....
did not have the SMS features... could a controler be setup to email a dedicated address, then receive a sms that you have an email? or is there a round-about fix to this problem?
Secondly, If the controller I was looking at did not have the SMS features... could a controler be setup to email a dedicated address, then receive a sms that you have an email? or is there a round-about fix to this problem? (I don't want to side track, so short is ok.)
With money in one hand, and my mouse in the other....
Jason
The Salinity monitor I used to have would "creep" and could not be trusted. at first it was correct... but after several hours would be wrong. I later found that these were not designed to be used long term - or in real time.
I ask because I have had problems with my skimmer, patched directly into the drain, would go nuts, and remove say 3 gallons of sw, and then the tank tops with fresh... over 3-5 days my salinity fell. It would be great to set an alarm, but if the accuracy cannot be assured....
did not have the SMS features... could a controler be setup to email a dedicated address, then receive a sms that you have an email? or is there a round-about fix to this problem?
Secondly, If the controller I was looking at did not have the SMS features... could a controler be setup to email a dedicated address, then receive a sms that you have an email? or is there a round-about fix to this problem? (I don't want to side track, so short is ok.)
With money in one hand, and my mouse in the other....
Jason
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RobbyG
Active member
Jason the salinity probes for the controllers are almost always made to be continuously submerged. I have read many posts on various controllers and have conclude that while most of them do work OK if cleaned periodically, most of them are not stable enough that I would use them to control FW / SW topoff systems. Some others will strongly disagree and will tell you they have had great success, so your mileage may vary.
In regards to the SMS via internet, that is real easy to do with just about any controller that can send email. Most Cell phone companies assign email addresses to their phones, and they usually follow a format like yournumber@company.com
eg. 3059891234@verizon.com
The only problem is that for many companies turning on this feature may cost a few extra bucks per month, but some companies are free. One Aquatronica user posted that even though his cell company required a monthly fee, he was still able to get alarms because his cell phone company would send him an SMS email to let him know that an email had arrived and that he needed to activate his account to read it. So he just used those messages as a signal that the Tank was having a problem and he would check it out using his tanks webpage.
So in short if you activate your phones email account and then plug that into your controllers email list, you should receive SMS emails from the controller.
BTW one thing to note is that while you can do SMS via email, it is not the same thing as true SMS. With true SMS the messages are delivered within seconds of them being sent and they do not rely on the Internet or mail servers, so reliability is really good. With SMS via email the messages can take anywhere from 2 minutes during off peak hours to about 1 hour during peak times. Occasionally I have not received the email at all. So keep that in mind.
In regards to the SMS via internet, that is real easy to do with just about any controller that can send email. Most Cell phone companies assign email addresses to their phones, and they usually follow a format like yournumber@company.com
eg. 3059891234@verizon.com
The only problem is that for many companies turning on this feature may cost a few extra bucks per month, but some companies are free. One Aquatronica user posted that even though his cell company required a monthly fee, he was still able to get alarms because his cell phone company would send him an SMS email to let him know that an email had arrived and that he needed to activate his account to read it. So he just used those messages as a signal that the Tank was having a problem and he would check it out using his tanks webpage.
So in short if you activate your phones email account and then plug that into your controllers email list, you should receive SMS emails from the controller.
BTW one thing to note is that while you can do SMS via email, it is not the same thing as true SMS. With true SMS the messages are delivered within seconds of them being sent and they do not rely on the Internet or mail servers, so reliability is really good. With SMS via email the messages can take anywhere from 2 minutes during off peak hours to about 1 hour during peak times. Occasionally I have not received the email at all. So keep that in mind.
Thank you for the info... I was thinking more along the lines of a warning that something was out of wack... or even the topoff, but that is already controlled via a gravity fed bin...
I've been trying to remain impartial and use the chart, but my obviouse choice is clear.
I appreciate all your hard work on this. It has made the truely overwhelming mountain easier to overcome.
Thank you again.
J
I've been trying to remain impartial and use the chart, but my obviouse choice is clear.
I appreciate all your hard work on this. It has made the truely overwhelming mountain easier to overcome.
Thank you again.
J
