WTB - Controller

[serpentman]

I am in the market for a controller. I am mainly looking for something programmable that will allow me to control pH, temp, and kick off my lights shout the tank temp rise to high.

I was looking at the Neptune AquaControllers and may fire the bullet on a new one.

I thought I would first try and see if can find something similar used.

-Jeff

 

[ChickenCannoneer]

I would look into the RK2 (reefkeeper2) they seem to have a good reputation on here. HTH, Tim

 

[shawnz28]

I run the RK2 on my tank and have no problems with it. It does PH and temp. I have it set to shut off the halides and T5s is the temp reaches a set threshold. The fans come on when the tank hits a set temp and the shutoff when it goes down. Also turns on my moonlights in the morning and night using the multitimer mode. I do not use the wavemaker function but it does that too. Overall does what I need and has kept my tank from overheating a few times, like it had previously to getting it

 

[mike660r]

Jeff,

I found a downside to the RK2. They have a limited amount of channels that you can configure. So, in the long run you can find yourself unable to do everything you want to on a large system.

Thats just my 2 cents...

Neptune AC3 is the way to go.

 

[Tbohinc]

you can add a 2nd reefkeeper and still spend less then if you bought some of the other systems and the big + no x10 units to deal with the go on and off for no reason sometime

 

[mike660r]

You do have a point about the X-10's, Tom. I agree they can be a pain. I have found that if you set the X-10 modules a few letters apart on the dial it clears up that issue. I have no issues with mine and I am using the troublesome icecap ballasts.

 

[serpentman]

I want to thank everyone for the input. I have decided on the RK2 for the reasons mentioned above. I travel a lot for work and don't want to take a chance with the x10. Also the price is right. I plan on adding the expansion modules for my MH so I don't use up the available 15AMPs. My one concern is I run a remote sump that is 15-20ft away from the main tank. I have read that I can buy jumpers from Radio Shack to extend the cables from the display to the controller so I should be ok. However, I am concerned that the power cables to the MHs may not be long enough. I downloaded the manual which says that you should not use extension cords. Has anyone had experience with this problem?

 

[EYESEEU]

They make jumpers for MHs or 15ft cables.. if you are out of town a neptune will let you check on your tanks status away from home. I bought a neptune on a group buy a got a excellent deal. I was on the fence with the r2k and the neptune but found the neptune dollar for dollar feature for feature to be a better purchase. PM me and Ill give you all the pros and cons of each mdl

 

[itZme]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7945665#post7945665 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serpentman
I plan on adding the expansion modules for my MH so I don't use up the available 15AMPs. My one concern is I run a remote sump that is 15-20ft away from the main tank. I have read that I can buy jumpers from Radio Shack to extend the cables from the display to the controller so I should be ok. However, I am concerned that the power cables to the MHs may not be long enough. I downloaded the manual which says that you should not use extension cords. Has anyone had experience with this problem?

I have built a relay unit like the expansion kit they sell for another reefer on here. He uses it to control MH lighting with an RK2 and it only uses 10 milliamps of the capacity of the RK2. You also have the added benefit of using the supply power from ANY outlet for your MH lights and using as long of an extension as you want from the relay unit to the controller to switch them on and off.

If you want one like that built just let me know. I think the total for parts is around $25 and it will handle about 1800w of load on it. I could also do a setup with 2 or 3 relays if you want to have them come on in succession and not all at once. It costs like $9 each for another relay. Just give me a PM with your lighting plan and I can work out something cheap and reliable for you. I am not looking to make anything on the deal really just willing to help out a fellow reefer. (I will just wait till your tank is overgrown and then pull my favors when it's fraggin time )

-- Kevin

 

[bosworth]

Ive got an AuqaController Jr. and love it. If I had more money to spend I would have gotten the AquaController III that has a built in web server for outside access. Just check out my little red house for more details.

 

[serpentman]

Hey Brian,

Awesome job on the setup. I really like the slide mechanism on the lights.

I heavily considered the aquacontroller 3 but decided when it was all said and done, it would have run me significantly more. I really like the webserver function but would have had to connect it to a wireless card as there would be no way to run a CAT5 cable from me router to the tank. As things piled up, I thought RK2 would handle the majority of the functions I am looking for.

 

[sammie]

Controller

Controller

Look into the controller that RONC98 has built and is going commercial with it very soon. I've had one since April, Zepplin has one on his system. It has more features and is more expandable than any one on the market today and is cheaper.

He is in Columbus and on the CORA forum under ronc98