When your away?

[abxnightpilot]

I don't work in the same state which I live so I'm away from home a lot. My wife has no problem feeding the fish but that's about it. I have an auto top off for evaporated water and timers for the lights. Short of turning in my wife for a new one what equipment can I buy to "baby sit" my tank while I'm away?

I was recommended the Octopus v 4 but the guy that was trying to sell me one.

My tank is 125 gallons with fish clams corals ect.

Thanks

[svb57]

What else are you trying to "automate"?

Jim Mc

[abxnightpilot]

I would like a device that told me if there is something lethal occurring in the tank. IE :

Ph is off
Nitrate too high
Nitrite too high
etc
etc

[omni2226]

Mmm ever look at a x10 system? Its a modular deal that your computer runs. Heres a link to an article about them. Maybe it will work, or give you some ideas.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i2/x10/x10.htm

[omni2226]

See you could automate dosers and reactors. Have a pc cam set to were you could see pinpoint monitors for PH specific gravity etc etc.

Log on to your laptop, check on things and if somethings off activate the module that runs it, or talk your wife through the steps if its an emergency, such as sudden drop in PH or the autotop off is stuck or something.

[abxnightpilot]

The Octopus 4000 has 3 X10 units.

What do you think is the best controller?

[theatrus]

If you're trying to remote, the AC III Pro with 1-2 DC8s would be a great unit. I think the biggest problem you have is keeping alk + ca constant - have you considered a calcium reactor? Once you tune it in it can hold the levels fairly well so your wife doesn't have to try dosing 2 part :).