OK, someone way smarter than me needs to take a look at these type of fish tank controlers. the jr model is 150 bucks. Yes you would need to add probes ect. but way cheeper than the hydo stuff that i've been seeing. PLEASE give me your thoughts on these
AquaController 3
The AquaController III base unit contains all the necessary capabilities to monitor and control even the most demanding aquarium setup. All of the features described below are present in the base unit; there are no additional software upgrades to buy. The AquaController III is able to:
Monitor: pH, ORP, and Temperature or 2 pH probes, and Temperature
Control: pH, ORP, and Temperature or 2 pH probes, and Temperature
Timers
Simulate Sunrise/Sunset
Simulate a Moon Cycle
Control Powerheads/Pumps (Wavemaker)
2 External Switch Inputs
Programming Language (enhanced)
Alarms
Perform Datalogging
PC or Macintosh RS232 Serial Interface
Ethernet Interface (10 Base T)
Embedded HTTP Web Server
Telnet Server
Email Alarm Notification
Large Backlit LCD Display
Display Lock with password protection
Battery Backup
Power Fail Alarm
Hardwired Direct Connect Modules
Flash Memory for easy Firmware Upgrades
PX 1000 Probe Expansion Module
Diagnostics The AquaController III has an easy to use and intuitive three button user interface. The buttons are used to navigate through the menus and to modify the standard setup. All setup and program modifications are possible through the buttons on the AquaController III - no external computer is required.
The base unit includes a comprehensive owner's manual, which contains instructions and examples on how to best utilize your AquaController III. No technical background is necessary to setup and operate the controller. The base unit measures 3.70" x 5.75" x 1.10"
To help you perform the initial setup of the AquaController III, the base unit comes pre-programmed with a default setup which requires little if any modification to work with most aquarium setups.
Monitor pH, ORP, and Temperature
The base unit includes software which is capable of monitoring pH, ORP, and temperature. The ORP probe input is modal and can be used to either monitor ORP or monitor pH; The AquaController III can monitor 2 different pH sources simulatenously! The monitored data is continuously displayed on the large LCD display and also logged into the internal RAM for later retrieval. All probes support digital calibration.
Control pH, ORP, and Temperature
The AquaController III also contains the functionality to control the pH, ORP, and temperature in in your tank. The standard control functions for the monitored parameters listed above are possible.
For pH control typically CO2 is injected into the aquarium when the pH rises too high. The AquaController III continuously monitors the pH and can turn the CO2 injection system on or off based upon the user defined high and low set points. Because of the AquaController III's highly programmable nature, it is possible to control pH in new and nonstandard ways. For example, in reef tanks with a calcium reactor it is desirable to stop injecting CO2 into the reaction chamber if the pH of the tank falls too low. The AquaController III is currently the only known controller on the market capable of this type of control. The CO2 injection system is not included with AquaController III. The modal ORP/second pH connector can used to control the pH of secondary water source.
Similarly, the AquaController III can control the ORP level in your tank with the injection of ozone. If the ORP in your tank drops to an user defined settings, the AquaController III can enable ozone injection into the tank. The ozone injection system is not included with AquaController III.
Also the AquaController III can control both a heater and chiller to maintain a stable temperature environment in the tank. The heater and/or chiller enable and disable temperatures can be set independently. Given the tank has an adequate heater and chiller, the temperature can be maintained within +-.3 °F.
Additionally, the AquaController III has many more features for temperature control. For example, if the temperature of the tank exceeds a preset value, the AquaController III can turn on a fan to cool the tank. If the temperature rises higher, an additional fan or chiller can be enabled. If the temperature rises even higher, lights can be shut off. There is really no limit to the number of ways that the AquaController III can control the temperature.
Also, the AquaController III has a special temperature cycle which is used to simulate seasonal temperature variations. All of the above mentioned features for temperature control are available in this mode as well; only the target temperature set point varies with the day of the year. This mode of operation is most interesting to the serious aquarist trying to induce his corals and fish to spawn.
Timers
The timer functionality included in the base unit is capable of turning devices on and off at specific times of the day with one minute resolution. The AquaController III can also turn the devices on or off multiple times per day not just one time per day as with other controllers. The flexible timers allows for the standard lighting control as well as for dosing of various elements. Up to 24 devices can be controlled by the AquaController III.
Sunrise and Sunset Simulation
The AquaController III has a special type of timer which can be used to simulate the varying lengths of days throughout the year. This feature is used to make the length of daylight hours longer in the summer than in the winter. This results in a more realistic simulation of natural lighting variations.
Moon Cycle Simulation
The AquaController III has another special type of timer which can be used to simulate the moon cycle in your tank. The lunar simulator is used for this feature and is capable of varying the intensity of light emitted from its LEDs. The intensity variations are controlled by the AquaController III which is preprogrammed with correct intensity values for each day of the moon cycle. The AquaController III automatically updates the intensity value depending upon the current setting of the AquaController III's clock. With this artificial moon cycle, it is possible to induce corals and fish to spawn.
WaveMaker
Each pump to be controlled can either have a random or fixed time period. Both the on and off times are fully programmable and can range from 1 minute to 4 hours in 1 minute increments. Up to 20 pumps can be controlled by one base unit. A variable length feed timer cycle can be initiated with the press of a button and will disable some or all of the pumps in the system (programmed by the user).
2 External Switch Inputs
The AquaController III comes equipped with 2 TTL level external inputs which can be used to activate/deactivate equipment in response to an external stimulus. Applications for these inputs include connection to water level float switches, water pressure and flow sensors, and water on the floor sensors. The AquaController III program can be set up to signal alarms or turn on/off appliances in the event of external switch open or closure.
Programming Language
One of the AquaController III's most compelling features is its simple to use yet very powerful programming language.
A simple example best illustrates the power and versatility of the AquaController III. Suppose that you wish to simulate the sunrise and sunset in your tank as well as having longer or shorter sunlight hours as based upon the seasons. The following program achieves this effect:
If Sun 000/000Then LT1 ONIf Sun 060/-045Then LT2 ONIf Temp > 83.0Then LT2 OFFThe first statement of the program turns light 1 ON at sunrise and OFF at sunset. The second statement turns light 2 ON 60 minutes after sunrise and shuts it off 45 minutes before sunset. This feature is not available in any other controller. The keyword 'Sun' tells the AquaController III to use the preprogrammed timer which calculates the sunrise and sunset times for the current day of the year.
The programming flexibility does not stop here though, as illustrated by the third program statement. This statement will shut off light 2 if the temperature of the tank ever exceeds 83.0°F. With this type of feature, the temperature stability of the tank can be more easily obtained on those hot summer days.
Similar program statements are used to enable or disable all the different control functions. The base unit comes pre-programmed with a default program which contains the majority of the control functions required in the average tank. Using this default program your tank will be up and running in very little time.
A new construct added to the AquaController III's program allows for the state of one controlled appliance to be used to control another appliance. For example to have certain pumps shut down at night something like this could be used:
If Sun 000/000Then LT1 ONOSC 010/015 MThen PM1 ONIf Timer LT1 = OFF Then PM1 OFFThe extensive owner's manual thoroughly describes the installation and customization of the AquaController III for use in your tank. The manual also contains many programming examples which illustrate many of its unique features. With this system the control of your aquarium is limited only by your imagination.
Alarms
The AquaController III can be programmed to enable an audible alarm when a monitored condition exceeds a preset value. The AquaController III will immediately let you know when your tank needs attention. With an internet connection (cable or DSL connection) and alarm email can be sent. The information received in the email includes the current pH, temperature, and ORP, power status, and the state all the controlled devices at the time of the alarm.
Data Logging
The AquaController III has data logging for the aquarist that wants to keep an accurate log of the conditions in his aquarium. Temperature, pH, and ORP are sampled and stored into battery backed RAM. The sample interval is user programmable and can be from 1 minute to four hours in 1 minute increments. The data log can either be viewed on the LCD display or downloaded to a PC or Macintosh via a standard RS232 serial connection or an Ethernet telnet or HTPP connection.
Web Interface
When the AquaController III is connected to your local network by its ethernet port, the controllers status and configuration settings are available through a standard browser. Below is a screen capture of Internet Explorer accessing the controllers current status.
Notice that not only can the current status be access, but also any of the controlled devices can be manual turned on or off. Also available through the web interface are the ability, view/modify the current controller program, view the datalogs, graph the datalogs, set the clock, and view the seasonal table. If an internet connection (DSL or cable modem) is available where the AquaController is installed, then your system can be checked on in almost any location in the world. Of course all access to the controller is password protected to ensure security. Note that a PC is not required for the AquaController to serve web pages; the webserver is built into the AquaController III.
Computer Interface
The AquaController III can be optionally connected to PC or Macintosh via an Ethernet cable. The computer interface allows you to download the datalog log as well as retrieve the current status of the monitored parameters and controlled devices in the aquarium. A computer is NOT required to program or operate the AquaController III.
In addition the III also supports a standard telnet server, so that the current status, datalogs, etc. are also available by a standard TCP/IP Ethernet connection.
Please see the
AquaNotes web page for complete details on our Windows program which completely automates the datalog retrieval and graphing process.
Battery Backup
An internal lithuim battery powers the AquaController III's internal real time clock in the event when no external power is present. In the event of a power failure on both the primary AC adapter or the optional secondary power backup source, no configuration, program state, or clock settings will be lost. After power is restored all controlled devices will be in the correct state within five minutes after power is restored.
The internal battery is only used to retain the time of real time clock; the program and settings are stored in non-volatile memory. Since this is non-volatile memory, the AquaController III retains the program and settings even during a power outage or failed internal battery. Once the AquaController III is configured no more setup or reprogramming is required.
Power Fail Alarm
In the event of power failure the AquaController III can signal by email or a local audible alarm the fault condition. The III has a second AC adapter connector which should be plugged into an external UPS to power the controller internal circuitry. The AquaController can sense the loose of power on the primary AC adapter connector and signal either a local audible alarm or send an email through its Ethernet internet connection. In addition the AquaController III logs the time that power failure started and when the power was restored.
Large LCD Display
The large and informative display on the AquaController III is capable of displaying 16 characters by 2 lines of text/special characters. In the status mode the display shows the current conditions in the aquarium, the date and time, and the status of all the controlled devices. The large display also makes it much easier to program the controller as well as look at the data log. The AquaController III comes standard with a backlit LCD display.
The AquaController III has been designed so that additional probe interfaces, digital inputs can be easily added via the I/O connector.
Display Lock with password protection
To keep unauthorized users from accessing and modifying the AquaController III's configuration, the display can be locked. To unlock the display a user settable password must be entered.
Flash Updates
You never have to worry about the AquaController 3 becoming obsolete. The software internal to the controller can be easily updated through your a PC on your local network. Just download the firmware update from our website and install it on the controller.
Expandable Hardware
The AquaController III has been designed so that additional probe interfaces, digital inputs can be easily added via the I/O connector. Up to 7 additional expansion modules can be added to the AquaController 3. It is now possible to monitor multiple aquariums through just one AquaController base unit. The expansion possibilities are virtually unlimited.
The first expansion module, the PX 1000 (shown above) , with a pH, ORP, temperature (or 2 pH and 1 temperature), and 6 digital inputs is available now. The PX 1000 features are:
- Monitor/Control pH, ORP, and tempprobe or 2 pH and temp probe.
- 6 digital inputs for float switches, water on floor sensors, pressure sensors, etc.
- Full datalogging support in AquaController and AquaNotes. (1024 data points per measured parameter)
- Up to 7 expansion modules can be used. For a AC3 that would make a total of 24 probes and 42 digital inputs.
- Attaches to AquaController 3's I/O port with a 5' cable.
- Additional Expansion modules daisy chain off the previous expansion module.
Diagnostics
The AquaController III comes with a built-in self test diagnostic program which lets you know if the system is operating correctly. Also displayed on the self test screen are the revision and date of the firmware.
Further Information
If you are not convinced that the AquaController III brings truly flexible and affordable aquarium control, contact our knowledgeable sales and technical staff at Neptune Systems, and we'll answer any of your questions.
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AquaNotes
AquaNotes is the most advanced aquarium management software available. This software together with an AquaController make an unbeatable combination for aquarium management. AquaNotes Version 3.4 is now shipping!
AquaController Jr
Starting at $149.95 the AquaController Jr base unit delivers the highest price performance ratio in the industry and brings truely affordable aquarium monitoring and control to tanks of all sizes.
AquaController III
The AquaController III base unit contains all the necessary capabilities to monitor and control even the most demanding aquarium setup. All of the features described are present in the base unit; there are no additional software upgrades to buy.
AquaController 3 Pro
The AquaController III Pro base unit contains all the necessary capabilities to monitor and control even the most demanding aquarium setup. All of the features described are present in the base unit; there are no additional software upgrades to buy.
