monitors/controllers

[nitr8]

I'm in the process of putting another tank together. I've been reefing for a few years now but I've never had a tank with a controller so I'm not sure how it all works. I'm hoping to find someone to give me a 101 and maybe guide me in the right direction to finding a controller for my tank. These are the two controllers I've been looking at:
AquaController 3 Pro w/ Lab pH, ORP & Temp Probes & DC8
AquaController Jr w/ Serial Port, Lab pH & Temp Probes & DC8

 

[delta]

I tried the ACjr but the network features we too inferior. I upgraded to the AC3 and haven't looked back.
On the ACjr you can do the serial port and Aqua notes but it is a pain in the kista

 

[nitr8]

lets brake this down. Temperature first.....

I'm guessing the controller monitors the temperature by:

turning on the heater/chiller off if the tank gets too cold
turning on the chiller/heater off if the tank gets too hot.

I assume this is achieved by disrupting the circuit of the power supply to each device?

 

[JohnK]

I don't know the AC / ACjr line, but with the Apex and reefkeeper controllers, the controller connects to 4 or 8 outlet power strip like things. (the power strips plug into seperate outlets, and a little control wire connects the controller to the power strip things so all that electricity isn't going throught the controller unit).

To control a heater, you plug the heater into one of the outlets, and attach a temp probe to the controller. Then you program the controller to operate that particular outlet based on the temp reading (turn on at 78deg, turn off at 79deg).
For lights you plug a light into an outlet, then program the controller to turn that outlet on and off at whatever times you choose.
To controll the Co2 going into a Ca reactor, you plug the co2 solenoid into one of the outlets, attach a ph probe to the controller, then program the controller to turn that outlet on and off based on the ph (off at 6.7, on at 6.9)

Beyond that stuff there are some more complex capabilities and add ons, but the above is the simple basics.
Net connectivity is cool. I can log onto my APEX while I'm at work and check the status of everything, PH, Temp, and turn anything on or off from work. Adding a web cam to this would be really cool, but I haven't gotten there yet

 

[delta]

I'm guessing the controller monitors the temperature by:

turning on the heater/chiller off if the tank gets too cold
turning on the chiller/heater off if the tank gets too hot.

I assume this is achieved by disrupting the circuit of the power supply to each device?

yes it cut powers to the assigned socket


ok the code is like this you assign a 3 letter code for all sockets. You can find the socket location in your manual so say the socket is A01

you would assign a HTR$ it would look like this HTR$-A01

If Temp < 78.0 Then HTR$ ON
If Temp > 80.0 Then HTR$ OFF

Temperature probe is pretty much plug and play, although you should check it periodically to see if it is reading accurately

Also you can add safegaurds like turing off you lights should things get really hot

If Temp > 81.0 Then MH1 OFF
If Temp > 81.0 Then MH2 OFF

 

[newenglandreef]

I just did tons of research on the ACjr and AC3... here's what I think are the significant differences: (the AC3 pro and ACJr are worlds apart)

ACJR can't measure ORP or conductivity(salinity) if that's important to you. I believe it'll be limited to PH and temp. AC3/pro has the ability to monitor salinity with an extension module and ORP out of the box.

ACJr has one "switch," which is basically one float valve indicator... AC3 has two, AC pro I believe has 4.

Internet/email alarms: This was the biggest issue for me. ACjr, out of the box, has no web monitoring ability...however, if you have the serial port and a serial cable, you can run it to your PC and into Aquanotes (the free program from Neptune). Then, use a free application from ACSerial2Web.com, and you'll be able to use the ACJR as you would an AC3, which means monitoring from the web, email alarms, Iphone apps, etc. Check out the website for more details about that.

Otherwise, the ACJr has wavemaker ability and other features available to the AC3...

I was looking into a Reefkeeper Lite (I'm just not going to spend 350-400 on a controller right now), but after buying all the necessary equipment just to monitor temp and PH, you'll end up spending upwards of $250. The only benefit is that you can upgrade to a RKE with an upgrade program.

Hope this helps...

 

[delta]

Aquanotes is for the birds. You also have limited commands as well with the ACjr you could easily hit your cap especially if you setup safe guards and want to add any of the add ons.

 

[newenglandreef]

Is that true for Aquanotes with AC3 and the Aquanotes commercial version (the one you purchase)?

What's the limitation on commands if you don't mind me asking?

 

[delta]

the webpage server just works and it is comprehensive. had a bit of trouble with aqua notes communicating with the ACjr consistently when I wanted it to.
Also the websever/page is part of the AC3 no extra 75bucks

you can only control 12 items wit he AC jr, 24 with the AC3 and 40 with the AC3 pro

I would have to look up the command line but I think it is 50 with the ACjr and 150 with the AC3 don't quote me on fit it has been awhile but it was significant

 

[newenglandreef]

Thanks for the info Delta, that's the kind of information that's really difficult to find online... especially the 12/24 and 50/150.

Did you use that ACserial2web program at all?

 

[JohnK]

Apex can do something over 1900 outlets (of course that would require spending @ $38,000 on EB8 powerstrips though )

 

[delta]

Apex is on steroids and its great deal out of the box

 

[newenglandreef]

unbelievable the money you can spend running a reef tank...but once you finally set it up, you've got to weigh the time you spend/save with the investment in equipment.

 

[delta]

aquacontroller change your life when it comes to reefing

 

[newenglandreef]

I'm starting to learn that-- just a question to me of getting by with the Jr or going with the AC3...sounds like the JR could be too much hassle. I definitely want Internet/email alarms...

Thanks again (sorry to hijack thread nitr8)...

 

[JohnK]

I'm looking at it this way,
My $500 apex plus one $40 add on PH probe is doing the following equipmentss jobs;
-PH controller - $200
-PH monitor - $100 (seperate from controller, different probe, would be a controller if I asked it to)
-Reliable external temp controller - $150
-6x digital timers - $120

And my computer tracks the PH, temp, and electrical usage for me. I can access the controller and check on things from anywhere, and this is way cooler than all those seperate gadgets

One of the best reefing investments I have made.

 

[newenglandreef]

sounds great, I'm looking forward to, someday, walking downstairs just to watch the tank... I've got to say, everyone said RODI and ATO will change my experience, and it absolutely has...

 

[newenglandreef]

I also remember walking into Tropic Isle before knowing anything about reefkeeping and seeing a used coralife PC lighting unit for $60 and thinking that to be somewhat expensive for a lighting fixture...the good old days!

 

[nitr8]

ok I think I at least know the basics to get me started but......
1.) I just got two power heads that have their own controllers, is there a need to connect these to the monitor/controller?
2.) ORP=salinity? i understand the probe monitors this but how would it control the salt content?

 

[JohnK]

What kind of controllable power heads? Some are compatible with some controllers, some are not. Some require an add on module of some sort to operate with the system controller.