Money to spend...controllers/automation??

[PaintGuru]

Hi everyone,

Ok so I just sold my old car (finally) and I wanted to buy myself something nice (was thinking laptop, but I think I have decided to put that off). Anyways, of course my next hobby after computers is of course my reef (180G mixed reef). Well I already have my lights, skimmer, pumps (I could use a closed loop pump though), Ca reactor....all the necessities. My next thought was some sort of controller for automation of lights, perhaps powerheads/pumps, monitoring (eventhough I really dont monitor anything now), etc. What is the current "must have" controller/automation setup? I know there are people out there with these things, and I just want to see what everyone thinks of them, if they are worth it, and where to go to buy them. And of course, how much would a decent setup set me back. Thanks for any input.

[Achilles Tang]

My system is automated, and I played around with several pieces of equipment before going to the Aquacontroller II. If you want a wide range of options and growth ability my choice would be Aquacontroller. Here's a link to their website Neptune The price is pretty compareable at the major online dealers, PA, Marine Depot, Reef Fanatic, ETc.. If thats a little more controller than you want a nice fall back position would be the solar 1000 L-2. Most of the aquacontroller functions minus the monitoring of temp, ph, etc.. ChampionLighting carries these.

[PaintGuru]

I came across that one. Honestly I am not sure what I want as far as monitoring/automation goes. I guess I could use a pH monitor to monitor the effluent coming out of my reactor, but other than that I dont have a chiller so I'm not sure how useful a temp monitor would be. I would really like to make a better circulation/current system, right now I just have my return pump and 2 powerheads blowing continuously. There is always room for improvment!

[Geoff]

i also have an aquacontroller II, it is a great piece of equipment. i got the combo II setup. this included the PH and temp probes, controll module, and 2 X10 modules. i use everything it has. i use the seasonal temperature variation. the seasonal lighting variations. i also use the moonlight simulator. it was rather expensive with all of the modules you need to get to controll everything, but so far it has been worth it. no more worrying about the silly timers getting out of synch because of power outages.

G~

[Doug1]

Considering the investment you have in a 180 , a controller is probably not a bad way to go. At the very least I would invest in a pH meter. refractometer and a nice dual readout digi thermometer

[Geoff]

i agree with doug1 on the thermometer. i actually have 4 different thermometer readings that deal with the tank. the aquacontroller tells me tank temp. i have a big dig thermometer that tells me the temp in the room at the aqauarium and the temp in the hood. i also have a thermometer telling me the temp in the chiller.

i guess i could be a little crazy, but i find these help me figure out why there may be temp swing in the tank.

G~

[PaintGuru]

I do have a refractometer already, and as far as my temperature, I just picked up a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer at Kmart which gives me a readout and max/min temperatures. I have a cheapy pH probe that I use to check my effluent, but would not be against upgrading that. So the way this ACII works is by using basic X10 modules on whatever device we want controlled? So to control all my lights (4 plugs), 2 powerheads (2 plugs), I would need 6-X10 controllers to get the lighting and wavemaking control? If I remember correctly X10's are not that expensive. A few more questions...if I wanted to get a solenoid (spelling) for my reactor CO2 system to monitor that, what is the expected cost of that? Is that easy to set up as well? Also, do these REQUIRE a computer nearby, or can the programming be done and moved easily from an upstairs computer? I am just hesitant buying something that just controls the lights more "seasonally" than my current timers to . Thanks for the input so far!

[Geoff]

the acII can controll anything that plugs in. there are programs in the acII that deal with co2 reactors, it will turn the solinoid on and off according to what you want. i would go here and download the manuals and have a peep for yourself. i think it would do everything you need. if not, then check out the pro version.

G~

<a href="http://www.neptunesys.com/manuals.htm">Aquacontroller manuals</a>

[PaintGuru]

Cool, thanks Geoff. I do like my electronic toys .

[rscdragon]

Hi paintguru, I just order am ACII from marine depot, It's supposed to arrive monday. Once i get it up and have everything automated i will post and let you know who it all works out.

Rob

[Schwaggs]

Dragon,

First of WELCOME TO TRT!

Second, congrats on your Aquacontroller purchase, you made a great choice. As you can see from posts on this site, there are several AC II users on this board. Feel free to ask for help if you need it while programming your controller (the funest part for me )

[Bjake]

just a quick question about the acII. my lights keep going on and off during the day and night.

the lights are programed to come on at a certain time, once during the day. at least 3 times a day the lights will go on and then 5-10 minutes later they correct themselves.

any ideas?

thanks bjake

[rscdragon]

Schwaggs, thanks for the welcome. And I will most defenatly ask if I have any questions.

Rob

[Schwaggs]

Originally posted by Bjake
just a quick question about the acII. my lights keep going on and off during the day and night.

the lights are programed to come on at a certain time, once during the day. at least 3 times a day the lights will go on and then 5-10 minutes later they correct themselves.

any ideas?

thanks bjake

BJAKE,

WELCOME TO TRT for you too!

What type of lights are you controlling? I assume something with a ballast since almost everything we use has one. Have you disabled the "local control" feature on your modules? If not, check out this thread for information and instructions on how to disable the X-10 modules "local control" feature. I had all sorts of ghosts in my system until I made this simple mod to my modules.

[rscdragon]

Schwaggs should I do this on all my my modules when I get them? or should I wait and see if I have this problem first.

Rob