Who is using an Aquacontroller II ?

Frogbone · 02-03-2005, 09:00 PM

I have some questions on this unit / configuration.

FastFish720 · 02-03-2005, 09:14 PM

I am using a ReefKeeper Controller if that helps any.

jg24 · 02-03-2005, 09:40 PM

I have a AC

ReefPilot · 02-08-2005, 09:26 PM

I too have an AC II.
What is the questions?

Frogbone · 02-08-2005, 11:35 PM

I just ordered one and I wanted to know if other users had any problems with the x10 equipment. How do you use it? How did you configure it? What components do you use and where did you get them ?
Is anyone using Aquanotes ? Haven't quite figured out if Aquanotes is worth the $$.

All in all I just wanted to hear some feedback and ideas from others about this unit

otolith · 02-08-2005, 11:43 PM

Don't buy the aquanotes. You're better off buying the Java program made by _________. His name slips my mind, but I posted it in the wireless reeef controller thread.

Frogbone · 02-08-2005, 11:50 PM

Brilliant !!

Quote:

Originally Posted by otolith

Don't buy the aquanotes. You're better off buying the Java program made by _________. His name slips my mind, but I posted it in the wireless reeef controller thread.

ReefPilot · 02-09-2005, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otolith

Don't buy the aquanotes. You're better off buying the Java program made by _________. His name slips my mind, but I posted it in the wireless reeef controller thread.

I think Derek is referencing the Java program JAqua

I haven't used it, but I would have to guess it is better then Aquanotes.

ReefPilot · 02-09-2005, 12:31 AM

I have had my AC II set up for 4+ years. Love it! The only problem I have had is one x10 appliance controller going bad, but that is probably par for the course in the x10 world.

Without using Aquanotes, I hooked up an extra Macintosh computer with a terminal program to talk directly with the AC II. Basically you can make line entry IF..THEN.. statements. Works great. I have all the extra sensors hooked up and was able to program my heater, chiller, fans, actenic, 2 x MH, doser pump, etc.

Last summer was having a problem with my chiller so I was able to set up a bunch of extra "safety net" IF..THEN.. statements to help save the day. (ie. IF TEMP > 82 THEN Chiller ON, IF TEMP > 85 THEN Fan #1 ON, IF TEMP > 86 THEN Fan #2 ON, IF TEMP > 88 THEN MH#1 OFF, IF TEMP > 89 THEN MH#2 OFF....ok, you get the picture)

I can also use the terminal program to download the water parameters. You could easily set up a script to do this on a set interval (ie. once a day), then dump your data into an Excel file for graphic or web site.

djyox · 02-09-2005, 05:15 AM

so the AC II is worth the cash then?

I have an old IBM Thinkpad that if I get a memory card for would run win 95/3.1/dos, I would like to just to chart the tank into a graph of something.

And use it to control all of the PH, lights, etc, would be even better... I think I need to do some reading into what would work best for what I am looking for.

ReefPilot · 02-09-2005, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djyox

so the AC II is worth the cash then?

IMHO it is, but I am a gadget freak.

Many of the basic ON/OFF timer features you can get away with using basic radio shack timers. Other features I used as more of a redundancy. (ie. My chiller & heater have it's own temp sensors, but the controller had to agree before the system would turn on)

I do also like the seasonal light and moon cycles.

But finally, if you want continues monitoring of system parameters, graphing and complex IF..THEN.. setup, the AC II works great.

Let me know if you have any specific questions as to what it can do or it's operation.

hummusx · 02-09-2005, 09:28 AM

Any reason that you need to use the aquacontroller modules for connecting devices? Or will any x10 devices work?

ReefPilot · 02-09-2005, 11:01 AM

Any x10 will work.

Frogbone · 02-09-2005, 11:05 AM

ReefPilot,

Are you using the mooncyle function? If you do, what kind of light are you using? In teh manual it says you can only use incandescent lamps with it since you have to use a dimmer module.

Have you by chance looked into using this function with LED moonlights ?

I have LED's built into my coralife pendant (regular 120VAC plug) but haven't quite figured out if that would work with them.

ReefPilot · 02-09-2005, 11:14 AM

I am not using a moon light or the moon cycle mainly because I could not determine which light to use. I have not seen the LED moonlights. I don't know why it would not work. Anything you can control with x10 should work with the AC II.