Aquacontroller (Neptune Sys) vs. Octopus (Aquadyne).. which is better?

[ghever]

There might be a forum discussing this already?? But if not, can you guys share your opinions.

I am thinking about either the AC jr, AC II, or Octopus 3000.

I know differences between AC jr and ACII, and given the great deal now on the AC jr, wondering how important is the ORP and email notification,web access is.

Also, anyone use JAqua by Bill Esposito to control their AC II and if so, what are your opinions.

I dont like that the Octopus 3000 doesnt have a DC8.. I am not a fan of X-10s due to their known problems.

Appreciate the input and advice before I buy one.

thanks
G

[npaden]

Most of the folks around use the Aquacontroller II. The big plus IMO is the ability to access your tank parameters via a web server and get alarm notices sent to you via email or pager.

Bill's elightmaster doesn't control the aquacontroller, it can work with it but not control it.

Good Luck.

Nathan

[ghever]

for the AC II, can I connect it to a modem via a wireless internet connection instead of directly to a modem.

My house is equipped with a Linksys wireless router and one access port, so it would be great if I can access my ACII via my laptop wherever I take it in the house or out of the house...

Can this be achieved with AquaNotes?

Can it be achieved with Octopus 3000 and its software? Aquadyne seems to claim it can.????

thanks

[npaden]

Depending on your internet provider, you can setup the AC II as a personal web server and it can be accessed from the web anywhere. You need port 80 open though.

[ghever]

Hmm, well, i use adelphia's cable modem....here in so cal... I guess I would need to talk to them and see if I have port 80 open or not... unless someone else out there had adelphia cable modem and knows?

[Ramble On Rose]

Originally posted by npaden
Depending on your internet provider, you can setup the AC II as a personal web server and it can be accessed from the web anywhere. You need port 80 open though.

Isn't that the AC III not II?

[ghever]

so i know the acII can be connected to a modem via serial cable.... but all i have is wireless...would i connect it to a pc via cable and then pc can have wireless access to the modem?

ideally, i'd like a wireless connection from controller to computer/modem, but sounds like only the aciii can do that now?

[npaden]

You would have to have a serial port connection from the ACII to a PC.

I have a 6 year old notebook computer that sits on my canopy that is hooked up to the ACII. It has a wireless card and is hooked up to my wireless router. At one point I had a streaming video feed running off of it as well. I need to get it all set back up.

FWIW, Nathan

[ghever]

you dont need to have the acii connected directly to a pc.. you can get a wireless adapter... a serial to ethernet adapter and then a bridge ethernet to wireless.. there are threads out there on how to do this.... I might give it a try.....or I'll just get the AC jr. for now and wait until the wireless technology for the ACIII becomes cheaper.

G

[HotHotHot]

Even if your ISP blocks port 80, you can just use another port. You'll have to configure your server to use a different port, then use the port number as part of the URL.

Here is mine: http://68.3.242.68:27001/aquanotes/index.asp

The :27001 part of that is the port number.

I have an ACII hooked (via serial) to a really old PC (runniing Win XP) with a wireless card. That goes to a wireless router, and then to the cable modem.

The beauty of it is, it doesn't take much of a PC to run it.

HTH

[fishpimp69]

what about the reef keeper