ToTaLCHaoS13
New member
I am looking to get a controller for my system and need advice on what one I should get. Let me know what you have, how you like it, and how much you paid. Thanks.
What controller are you using?
- Thread starter ToTaLCHaoS13
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jtesdall
Premium Member
Same question here: I am wondering about this one. The reviews are very good!
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...roduct_Code=PA-LHC&Category_Code=othercontrol
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...roduct_Code=PA-LHC&Category_Code=othercontrol
Coralfreak
Premium Member
I have an Aquacontroller III, a bit more expensive than the Jr, but Ive been very happy with it. The ACIII is even more expandable than the Jr. Prior to this I had the original AC. Customer service has always been great from Neptune Systems.
FYI, Neptune has started taking pre orders for the new "Aquasurf" module which allows control of all Tunze Stream pumps that are compatible with the 7095 controller. Its not real cheap, but less than the 7095.
FYI, Neptune has started taking pre orders for the new "Aquasurf" module which allows control of all Tunze Stream pumps that are compatible with the 7095 controller. Its not real cheap, but less than the 7095.
einsteins
Premium Member
Yeah...but you have to buy overpriced Tunzes to use that function...
I wish they could do it with some reasonably priced powerheads...
I also have the ACIII btw and it is awesome to say the least...
Being able to control it from my Blackberry when I am on the road makes it worth the cost.
Ein
I wish they could do it with some reasonably priced powerheads...
I also have the ACIII btw and it is awesome to say the least...
Being able to control it from my Blackberry when I am on the road makes it worth the cost.
Ein
jtesdall
Premium Member
But what is the cost of an ACIII? I thought it was around $800 with PH probe and such.
Also, how does the controller work when your sump (where the probes will go) is in the basement and the display tank is upstairs? You need to control things in both places obviously. Do you plug in one of those DC8's (or similar) upstairs and run control wiring from your ACIII downstairs???
Also, how does the controller work when your sump (where the probes will go) is in the basement and the display tank is upstairs? You need to control things in both places obviously. Do you plug in one of those DC8's (or similar) upstairs and run control wiring from your ACIII downstairs???
jbrunken
New member
Start with a JR if you don't want to spend a lot of cash at first.
You can get everything you need for under $300 and if you decide to upgrade to the ACIII later on, you will be able to use the modules you already own (DC8, Lunar, etc) and you won't even have to reprogram anything.
-JB
You can get everything you need for under $300 and if you decide to upgrade to the ACIII later on, you will be able to use the modules you already own (DC8, Lunar, etc) and you won't even have to reprogram anything.
-JB
Coralfreak
Premium Member
Yep, thats what I did, I had a little help building the cable as I had no way to do a good job crimping the ends on, but it works great. My ACIII is in the basement with one DC8 the other DC8 is upstairs running the lights, fans and Tunze nanostreams.
Agreed on the Jr, its a great controller for the price.
Coralfreak
Premium Member
Heres a good place to start:
http://www.neptunesys.com/comparison.htm
Main things are no ORP probe(not a big deal IMO, they arent very accurate anyway), fewer controlled devices, only 12 on the Jr. Otherwise it lacks the ethernet port and the web server. It does perform all the basic functions.
http://www.neptunesys.com/comparison.htm
Main things are no ORP probe(not a big deal IMO, they arent very accurate anyway), fewer controlled devices, only 12 on the Jr. Otherwise it lacks the ethernet port and the web server. It does perform all the basic functions.
jbrunken
New member
You use Neptune Systems "AquaNotes" program. The lite version is free and can be used to control/program everything on the Aquacontrollers.
The normal (non-lite) version of the software integrates with the IIS webserver on your computer and can be used to view/control everything remotely.
There are a couple of things you should be aware of:
1) Not all JR's have a serial port, you need to make sure your buying the JR with the serial port option (it's not that much more expensive)
2) A Ground Isolated Serial Connector (which you will need if you want your PH probe to work right while using the serial port) will add about $45 bucks to the total price (but can be purchased later).
-JB
The normal (non-lite) version of the software integrates with the IIS webserver on your computer and can be used to view/control everything remotely.
There are a couple of things you should be aware of:
1) Not all JR's have a serial port, you need to make sure your buying the JR with the serial port option (it's not that much more expensive)
2) A Ground Isolated Serial Connector (which you will need if you want your PH probe to work right while using the serial port) will add about $45 bucks to the total price (but can be purchased later).
-JB
jtesdall
Premium Member
JB - That starts getting pretty expensive doesn't it? You have to have the JR w/ Serial Port, aquanotes software, isolated Serial Ground adapter and PH probe. At PA that is $399 with a DC8.
It is very cool though that you can use IIS, that does require full aquanotes right?
Allen, another cool thing is the X10 interface. If I understand this right you can setup units to communicate through the wiring in your home to control remote outlets. This seesm to be cheaper than buying more DC8's.
It is very cool though that you can use IIS, that does require full aquanotes right?
Allen, another cool thing is the X10 interface. If I understand this right you can setup units to communicate through the wiring in your home to control remote outlets. This seesm to be cheaper than buying more DC8's.
Coralfreak
Premium Member
Yes, but not as reliable, X-10's can have "issues". I got rid of all of mine and will never use them again. Sometimes they work great, sometimes not. Really depends on what you are using them for.
jbrunken
New member
Well, if you buy a different brand of controller and a year from now you decide that you really should have bought an AquaController for thier expansion capability, then I would say that it end up saving you quite a bit of cash.
Even if you ended up moving from an ACJR to an ACIII, I'd bet the resale on the ACJR, Serial Cable and GISC are all pretty good, so you wouldn't be out that much money and you can still use AquaNotes with the ACIII.
In other words, some times buying cheap costs you a lot more in the end.
-JB
glaspie69
Premium Member
I have the AC3 with 2 dc8's and the lunar controller w 5 lunar lights and I couldn't be happier. An aqua controller makes life SO MUCH SIMPLER. I have almost my entire aquarium on the controller, not more trying to figure out what plug in goes to what, I just pick what i want shut off and it's done. If lighting schedules need to be changed because of a lighting upgrade or new bulbs I can change them in a matter of SECONDS. The costs can be overwhelming, but consider this....your tank crashes because of a lighting malfunction, heater malfunction, so on and so on, if the controller prevents these it's less to worry about. The costs in this hobby can be expensive, but it is really like everything else in life, you get what you pay for, if you want quality buy a neptune, if you want crap buy something else but it may cost you more in the end if you change your mind.
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