The Big Controller Comparison Chart.

Is the RC-Squared controller considered not commercial enough to be on the list? Just curious. I've been working with Ron to get a custom setup made.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9235062#post9235062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tcmike64
So which controller is the best??? Also can any controller monitor calcium? according to the chart no, but since pinpoint has a calcium monitor can this be used on any of these systems??

1) I can't really say which is best, it all depends on what you want it to control and how much money you want to spend.

2) No controller that I have seen can monitor calcium or No3. I think most of the units above $600 have the ability and some companies have working models, but the problem is that there is no probe that they can buy for a reasonable price that can be submerged 24/7 and read reliably, also the current generation of probes require recalibration after every 1 or 2 uses.

3) Pinpoints calcium monitor is for single readings and not meant to be left submerged, it cannot be used with any of these systems.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9235147#post9235147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tanya72806
Hey Rob let me ask you this now I have a Diallseas and it monitors and controls ph calcium orp also tops off and adds salt when needed on top of all that also does waterchanges. It can also be accessed through the internet. Why is this not on there ??? ;)

Can you PM me some info. If it does all the things a normal controller can do, I will add it.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9240967#post9240967 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by perpetual98
Is the RC-Squared controller considered not commercial enough to be on the list? Just curious. I've been working with Ron to get a custom setup made.

I already started to research his controller so I can add it. I have been a bit busy of late but it is on my list of things to get done, hopefully within a week or two. BTW ask Ron if he can email me the picture of the main unit with the display on. I asked him but he must have forgotten.
 
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Ron emailed me the other day and said that he's been stuck away from home on business for a while. I'll email him though and ask.

Eric
 
19 Feb07

Added Biotope Controller by RC-Squared.
This is a home grown controller that was Designed by a member of reefcentral :)
 
I should be getting an RC-Squared unit in the next couple of weeks if you have any questions, maybe I can figure out answers.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9283166#post9283166 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by perpetual98
I should be getting an RC-Squared unit in the next couple of weeks if you have any questions, maybe I can figure out answers.


I am hoping to add user reviews of all the controllers over the next few months. If you want to write a review on the Biotope, I would add it to the site.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9283364#post9283364 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobbyG
I am hoping to add user reviews of all the controllers over the next few months. If you want to write a review on the Biotope, I would add it to the site.

BTW fixed Link to Biotope Manual. That now works.
 
I emailed Biomatix with various questions about the controller. I asked if I could control 7 tank's pH and temp. I got a very generic response. Probably was a autoreply response. It is disheartening that they are being so mysterious about the controller an not releasing any real details about it. Is this some marketing scheme or are they just not really sure about any details of the controller. Thye emphasize the alogorithims used for the controller. Honestly, I dont care about the fancy algorithims they developed.
 
I get the opinion talking to them that they really want to remain low profile till the until the unit is ready for sale.

I can tell you from the info that I got, that it is not made to control 7 tanks with one controller. It is more designed to control 7 tanks with 7 controllers and then coordinate the data from 1 PC. IMO it's going to be very good controller for professional installer with multiple clients to monitor. It allows them to sit back in their office and see if all of their customers tanks are ok from a single screen.
 
keep in mind when looking for a controller that will monitor PH or ORP in multiple tanks you need a setup that has each probe elect. isolated from one another. You will see huge issues from ground loops caused by multiple tanks unless they share a common water path.

I do not know of any that will allow that type of setup.
 
What do u mean by ground loops? I just need to measure pH and temp in 7 tanks. If biomatix is the most reliable and it takes 7 controlers i will go that route but with the info I have now all I know is that it looks pretty,............and pretty doesnt go a long way
 
I think what Ron is saying is that if you have 7 tanks and each one has it's own stray voltages and it's own ground potential and then you connect all of them through a single controller, the controller will give erratic readings because of all these separate voltages and grounds.
I believe that if you put a ground probe in each tank and connect them altogether that should solve the problem.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9290057#post9290057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobbyG
I believe that if you put a ground probe in each tank and connect them altogether that should solve the problem.
Why would grounding the tanks help break a ground loop?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9290696#post9290696 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobbyG
Because all the Tanks would be at the same potential ground.

Which already is the case with non ground isolated probes. Adding ground probes in the tanks won't cut the ground loop affecting the probes.
 
If you say so, but I dont want to get in another debate with you and side track this post, again.
 
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