Controller Advice...

[TomD]

The only controller I had with my previous tank was the one that had the 2 buttons and just for the heater. For this setup, I want to have the best equipment I can buy.

I would like to order a controller, maybe an AC Jr. on Friday. What should I order with it so I have a lot of options to work with? Is this the one people recommend? What do most of you have yours running?

Anything I need to know?


Thanks

 

[Jennifer]

Hi Tom,
Welcome back.
If you want the best then you def want a Neptunesys Apex or a Digital aquatics Elite.

Personally I like the Apex, I have done lots of research on both and just felt that the apex had the features I wanted.
My Apex is on the way, tracking says I will have it on friday.

Good luck with your decision Tom

 

[wilfx]

I have been asking the same question. It looks to me like the prefered controller is the AC line. Can't get the brand name from the back of my head.

 

[TomD]

Hi Tom,
Welcome back.
If you want the best then you def want a Neptunesys Apex or a Digital aquatics Elite.

Personally I like the Apex, I have done lots of research on both and just felt that the apex had the features I wanted.
My Apex is on the way, tracking says I will have it on friday.

Good luck with your decision Tom

I was just checking it out. What justifies the price difference between an APEX and something like an AC Jr.?

 

[Jennifer]

The apex can do things like monitor and control orp which I needed. It also has the built in web browser which the JR can not do. The apex is also the most expandable.

 

[TomD]

Thanks. I am going to look into getting one.

 

[wilfx]

I understand that the ports on the Apex and maybe the Jr can be named. So you wont have to go looking to see where your return pump is connected or a heater, etc.

 

[TomD]

Yes, you will know and can program them. Although, I am not the best to ask about controllers! I kept it real simple with a Ranco controller for my heater last time. In my opinion you AT LEAST need a controller for your heater, no questions.

Here is what I used to use.


http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/sto...gital-temperature-controller-stage-p-103.html

 

[Joel A]

the apex has a web browser, so you can remotely (from a laptop, ipod, cellphone, etc.) monitor as well as control the equipment that runs your tank.

When i upgrade i'll likely go apex as well. GHL profilux make excellent controllers as well, that can do the same things, and even more than the RKE or Apex, but they are also a lot more expensive =/.

 

[TomD]

Ya, monitoring my tank via web is an option I like...

 

[coralcor]

cant you buy something to make the JR go online?

 

[TomD]

I think so but I think you have to dedicate a PC to it and seems like a lot of work when you could spend a few more bucks and avoid all that.

 

[coralcor]

I think so but I think you have to dedicate a PC to it and seems like a lot of work when you could spend a few more bucks and avoid all that.

yea except its a few hundred
i wish i could get one but oh well... soon they will come down in price... they have to right? they cant be that expensive to make....
just a links i found in a quick Google search just figured that that might help you make your decision.
link on how to make JR wireless (that piece to make it wireless is about 50-60$
http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...less-aquacontroller-jr-serial-connection.html

 

[emabie]

I have an AC2 by Neptune and I love it. I have it hooked up tot the web with a cheap laptop that sits under the tank. You can get free software from ac2serials that lets you monitor it and send email alerts, or you can buy the one from neptune.

The Neptune systems are fantastic. Buy a controller that does more than you want so you can expand latter, but start slow by setting up lights and heater then slowly add on more stuff.

I run my lights, heaters, cooling fan, ATO, Moon lights ect off it plus monitor PH, ORP, Temp

 

[TomD]

I have a few laptops and one I can dedicate so I am still debating but would like to have it on the web for sure.

Do you know exactly what I would need besides a PC to make an AC Jr. online?

 

[RayD]

You can put the Jr online but it does not have all the functionality of an ACIII or an Apex. You cannot make any changes to the programming over the web or from your phone as the software does not support the routines.

I got my ACIII online with little or no hassle and it controls everything from ATO to lights to my Tunze streams. Actually the Aquasurf works even better than the Tunze controller itself.

Depending on your budget I would do the Apex or look for a used ACIII on RC. There's a bunch for sale cheap now that the Apex is out. But the Apex does ROCK!

_________________________________________________

 

[emabie]

I can update the program on my ACII over the software, at least with Aquanotes. I have not gotten the program to update via AC2Serials though.

I would agree with Ray that it's way easier to do it with a ACIII as all you need to do is plug it into you home network.

For an ACJR you need a laptop that has internet connection (wireless works) and a cable that goes from 8pin din to a laptop serial connection. Also a ground isolation serial adapter is recommended. Basically one cable connects the AC to the laptop, the laptop runs software that host the website. Not to hard to set up if you are PC savy.

In contrast the ACIII just needs to plug into your home network via built in Ethernet port. Real easy.

 

[Jocko]

FYI, the ReefKeeper Lite now supports the NET module.

I can understand debating Apex vs. ReefKeeper Elite, but not sure I'd recommend anyone go with an AC Jr. over a RK Lite. RK Lite gives a clear upgrade path to RK Elite if you ever need it. All of the modules that make up the system are the same and you can even trade in the Lite head unit towards an Elite head unit. Plus both the Lite and Elite are at the beginning of their life cycles and DA is constantly adding to them. AC Jr. is ancient.

 

[RayD]

I can update the program on my ACII over the software, at least with Aquanotes. I have not gotten the program to update via AC2Serials though.

I would agree with Ray that it's way easier to do it with a ACIII as all you need to do is plug it into you home network.

For an ACJR you need a laptop that has internet connection (wireless works) and a cable that goes from 8pin din to a laptop serial connection. Also a ground isolation serial adapter is recommended. Basically one cable connects the AC to the laptop, the laptop runs software that host the website. Not to hard to set up if you are PC savy.

In contrast the ACIII just needs to plug into your home network via built in Ethernet port. Real easy.

Aquanotes updates the program just fine but AC2Web Serial does not. I had a lengthy conversation with Jerry that writes that software and something about the API not accessible for the update program to work properly.

If you do get your Jr or II online over the internet though you can use Aquanotes remotely to make changes.

See my thread about me selling a blue tooth serial adapter if you want to connect your Jr or II without a dedicated PC. You could do it driectly from your desk PC at home using a bluetooth connection. Unfortuantely changes in rx/tx driver have caused this to no longer work on a Mac which is what I wanted to do.

Jerry no longer has a Mac to continue product development on so the blue tooth serial adapter is useless for me under Snow Leopard.

http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=89942

 

[RayD]

FYI, the ReefKeeper Lite now supports the NET module.

I can understand debating Apex vs. ReefKeeper Elite, but not sure I'd recommend anyone go with an AC Jr. over a RK Lite. RK Lite gives a clear upgrade path to RK Elite if you ever need it. All of the modules that make up the system are the same and you can even trade in the Lite head unit towards an Elite head unit. Plus both the Lite and Elite are at the beginning of their life cycles and DA is constantly adding to them. AC Jr. is ancient.

The upside to the Jr. being an older unit is the price point on used units is pretty affordable. I run a Jr. on my frag tank and a III on my DT.

Love them both. Have them both online and accessible from my iPhone.