Controller suggestion needed

[delsol650]

Looking for a controller that would support my 37cube that I'm building. To controll my lights, pumps, Reactor, chiller/heaters, fans, monitor/control my water parameters etc...

I'll spend decent money but don't have $$$ to throw either. I was looking at the following components, suggestions are very much welcomed.

DIGITAL AQUATICS REEFKEEPER 2
NEPTUNE SYSTEMS AQUACONTROLLER
AQUATRONICA CONTROLLER
GHL PROFILUX II AQUATIC CONTROLLER

If you know something good thats not listed please feel free to add to my list and give me suggestions.

thanks
Charles

[raddogz]

I use a Neptune Jr. to control a good portion of things on my 120g

It worked well

[mcurl98]

I use an AC3 with an Aquasurf and am happy. No experience with the others. It's nice having Neptune in San Jose. If I ever need anything I can stop by. The support is good too. I like having email alarms and being able to check the tank from the 'net while travelling.

[delsol650]

Eileen, how much was it, which specific model and controlling with the Neptune Jr.? was it relaitely easy to set up and use.. no need for a rocket scientist to set up.. cause I aint one

[sfsuphysics]

The ACjr with a dc8 should handle everything you want.

I'm not familiar with the last 2 on the list though.

[delsol650]

Is that what you have too mike?

Matt what do you have it controlling in your tank?

[mcurl98]

2 Halides, 1 PC, moonlights, CO2, CO2 pump,Kalk Mixing pump, Main tank pump, skimmer, 2 Tunzes (w/the aquasurf), heaters, chiller, fans and an alarm module. I think that is it. Some, like the main pump for example, isn't overly controlled by it-I just have a maintenance mode for water changes. One button turns off everything I want off when doing water changes.

[nanoguy]

Charles.......I have a RK2 and I'm very pleased with the unit. It controls everything on my setup (halides, T5's, powerheads, skimmer, heater, return, etc). It does everything I need it to do. I really like the LED's on the unit. It tells me exactly which channels are on and the ones that are not. Take a look at the following link for a nice comparison chart on a bunch of controllers. You're welcome to swing on by if you want to take a look at it in person.......you're not too far from me.

http://aquariumcontrollers.com/download.php

[delsol650]

JImmy, that is what I was looking for exactly a spreadsheet the shows the whole comparision. MUCH APPRECIATED. Ah' the headache beggins again.... what do I do. thanks everyone that has put their input and for the ones in the future that will look at this thread.

[CruzinKim]

Originally posted by delsol650
monitor/control my water parameters

It depends what you mean by this, what water parameters are you expecting to control?

[delsol650]

control the pH with the reactor, control water via heater/chillers, etc....

[raddogz]

Charles, it will work out of the box for ph and heater/chiller control. It has default setting for chiller as well

[delsol650]

I plan to deck out this 37cube (controlers, chiller, reactors phos, calk etc ) and other goodies but still make it look simple. LOL

[CruzinKim]

All the units you've listed should do what you want. I'm eyeing the AC Jr and saw a thread on the main forum that concerns me. Some owners are needing to replace their temp probe every 6 months as it fails. Any locals with that problem?

[fishme]

Originally posted by raddogz
Charles, it will work out of the box for ph and heater/chiller control. It has default setting for chiller as well

Any chillers will work with this controler?

[Kinetic]

andy: chillers that need temperature controllers will work on the controller.


I have an AquaController III with two DC8's. It controls all my lights, heater, chiller, return pump, ca pump, chiller pump, skimmer pump, vortechs, sump pumps (keeps the sump stirred up), topoff pump, and a whole lot of other stuff. Basically everything I have that has a plug is plugged into my controller.

It also acts as a web server, so I can log in from work and anywhere to turn things on/off, monitor the temp, ph, orp, etc. AND even look at a datalog to see what the parameters have been for months in 3 hour increments.

It's fantastic =)

[Elite]

Charles - If you get the ACjr, get the one with the serial port. Since you are not a rocket scientist, it will help a lot ..

Andy,
Yeah most chillers will work. The DC8 supports up to 15AMPs. Just make sure it's not overloaded.

[mcurl98]

Just be careful as the DC8 supports a max of 6 amps for an outlet. My 1/3 chiller draws a bit more than that so I had to go with a DC4HD.
CruzinKim-I saw the same thread. I can tell you if you pinch the cord, the probe messes up. I pinched one underneath my skimmer stand (I think) and now it needs to be replaced. They do seem a bit fragile.

[CookieJar]

I have a RK and it's worked great for me. It's the older one so no Ph probe & such, but it does lights, heater/ chiller and wavemaking great- I have no complaints. I've never seen Neptune or AC jr so I can't compare the RK to others. The only thing I'd like is if there were more than 8 channels, they fill up pretty fast if you have 3 MH, 1 VHO and 1 moonlights, that only leaves 3 for heater/ chiller, pumps, powerheads.

[delsol650]

I have no problem with load problems as I had the outlets hooked up specially for the tank. 2 - 20amp outlets.. so trust me they can handled anything.

[mcurl98]

the AC controllers are connected to special outlets (DC8, DC4 or DC4HD). It switches the outlets on/off according to your programs. The DC8 has a 6 amp per outlet limit as does the DC4 (I think). The DC4HD can go to 12 amps on a single outlet. Has nothing to do with your home's outlets.

[delsol650]

I just wanted to upgrade my load capability so that I don't have to use 20 outlets to run my tank. LOL

[CruzinKim]

I just pulled the trigger on a AC Jr, it's on it's way. 8 outlets will control:
1. lights sunrise, sunset
2. main lights
3. moonlights
4. sump fan
5. heater
6. kalk dosing
7. powerhead
8. powerhead

[delsol650]

Nice...

[delsol650]

Well I eneded up going with a RK2 it should come in the next day