Automated Systems

[schlecht13]

Once my wife and I get everything moved, I am considering the upgrade to an "automated" reef watch system (thats what I call it anyway). There are several on the market (albeit most are a bit costly) that track tanks parameters in real time status from a computer. Does anyone use these and do you have any recommendations?

[schlecht13]

BTW--The ones I am considering are the Neptune Aqua Controller III and its counterparts. I am really looking for any experience with these controllers....

[EZHOOPS]

do most only control one tank? if so I would think its impractical if you have many tanks. That is the problem I found with most units. If you have multiple tanks you can really only control one, thats not fair, But I do think they are great, don't own one though

[schlecht13]

According to the manufacturer details, you can control up to ten+ tanks if you have the appropriate hardware and sensors in each (again the price thing comes in) but it would be well worth it as a long term purchase (IMO)

[cschweitzer]

Just connect all the tanks into a central sump and test the sump...this is an alternative to separate probes and controllers for each. Maybe keep a separate qt tank so as to reduce cross-contamination

[schlecht13]

Connecting all tanks to a central sump would be ideal in that sense--however I tend to have a variety of tanks with various animals (corals here, angels there) and should one animal die, it would wipe out everything--which I suppose is always a risk with a multiple setup and I like to make sure that the water quality in my clown tank is pristine while my coral tanks, I'll let go a week or so without a WC if I don't have time. I have found that maintaining a sump so far with 4 tanks connected, sounds easier than it is--water chemistry does fluctuate more than I would like for broodstock

[stiffljp]

I have the Neptune and it's pretty nice but by no means is it plug and play. You will definitely have some troubleshooting time involved.

The only thing that really bugs me about Neptune is the fact they charge you ridiculous amounts of money for some of the parts. Example, serial ground isolator (if you don't have one you can't get an accurate reading when connected to a desktop, they will state that it doesn't happen to everyone but I don't know anyone that it hasn't happened to).

Aside from my bitterness on the add-on modules, they are really nice and do make maitenance much easier.

[schlecht13]

stiffljp--thanks for the recommendation--Is it possible to make your own "serial ground isolator" from computer hardware and a little tlc?

[stiffljp]

I think you can but you have to have alteast a decent understanding of electronics. I would also highly recommend looking for the control interfaces and other componets on-line or even on ebay. For example, pretty sure he charges somewhere around $20 for a control terminal but you can find them on e-bay or other websites for around 6-10.

There is however one component that you will not be able to find unless you want to basically make your own and that being the PC serial interface cable. Seems like price has come down alot recently because I thought I paid significantly more for it. It's amazing was competition does.

[schlecht13]

Again thanks for the info--I know that there are quite a few online dealers who sell the interface cable and ethernet cable as a bundle for around $50-$60. Once I make my move, It's likely I'll invest in one of these and keep my eye out for whats next...