Neptune Aquatics

Controller Advice

sendo

sendo

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Hey Guys,

I am shopping for a controller and it seems like the more research I do the more confused I become. I would like to know what brand and model you guys use and what devices you control with it. It would also be great to hear your opinions on the pros and cons of each brand.
 
I have DA RK1 for lights, heather, pumps; basically a timer on a 29G BC
RK2 on a 46BF, does the same, I don't have a Calcium Reactor working with it so the PH is just not used for the time being.
My first controller was a Neptune AC2 but since I got a deal of a lifetime (just to realize no DC8) never got to use; sold the head unit already. I also have one AC Jr. complete but since I don't have a third tank (yet) can not tell you much about it.
DA has come up with some nice units, they no longer make the RK2 so you may find then on the $150 price range for used units as people will upgrade to the nicer units, just keep looking for it.
I'm happy with the RK units, so far so good.
 
I have both the RKE & the AC3 (trying to sell the RKE... although D.A. does claim to be sending me a new head unit with a different button format), I like the AC3 for what it does out of the box, couldn't be more pleased, in fact it's a little more than what I want at this time
 
It really depends what you want to do. If you just want to monitor the basic then the RKE will do but if you want a phone call when power is out or leakage then Aquatronica is ideal. In the long run AQ is more cost effective than AC pro, and more advance, too.
 
On the RKE they just released their Net Module which gives you email, system status, RSS feeds, Logging and graphing. I also understand that a water leak detector sensor is coming that will work with the RKM-SL2 that comes with the unit.
 
Agree with what Jeff said as I have a RKE too. It is very expandable.

Lots depends on what you want a controller to do. several that are in the market right now may be too much or to little for what you need. For example the AC JR or the Reefkeeper Lite may be more then sufficient.
 
Thanks for all the advice so far guys. Right now I just need something to dose two part and regulate Temp/PH, BUT it's not like I don't plan to upgrade in the future. I think I have narrowed it down between the RKE and the ACIII. Any benefits of one vs. the other? I looked at the comparison chart and came up with a few questions:

Is there a benefit to having x10 devices?

what does it mean by 63 dedicated timers on the RKE vs. 100 on the ACIII?

Thanks for all your help!
 
Well the AC3 has remote monitoring capabilities out of the box, the RKE does as well with an add on module that costs... $100+(?? not sure on the exact price).

I can't see any benefit with x10 devices, while I don't have an experience with them, from what I've heard others say they can often be more trouble than they're worth.
 
I have an AC3 and love it. I haven't personally used the RKE, although I did a lot of research on the two systems before buying the AC3. My feeling is that the AC3 is a bit more 'techie' than the RKE. AC3 has its own programming language that makes it extremely customizable. RKE is more menu driven. Both are probably fine. I think that Neptune has been around longer and is a little more 'reliable' but less flashy...

One nice thing that I really like about the AC3 though is the ability to control Tunze powerheads. If you're going to get Tunze or have Tunze controllable pumps, then you should just get the AC3 so that you can control the powerheads with the Aquasurf expansion module. This will let you coordinate your pumps with the rest of your system. i.e.: on my tank I have the pumps running on a quiet slow circulation at night and generating a 1" wave in the tank when the halides are on.

x10 is a home automation standard that allows you to turn special outlets on and off. You can buy cheap x10 socket modules for just a few dollars at Fry's or Radioshack or order them online. The AC3 has an X10 interface that allows you to control these sockets. The benefit to x10 are:

1) Cheap. You can add another socket for $15.
2) Placeable anywhere the x10 signal will reach. (Reaches pretty much anywhere in my house.)
3) Not amp/wattage dependent. You don't need to buy a special/expensive module to turn on high draw halides/lights.

The biggest disadvantage to x10 is that they're not 100% reliable. Now, in my experience, I have had very good success turning my halides on and off with x10 controllers, but depending on your house wiring, you may not have as good results... I personally wouldn't put my main return pump on an x10 module, but lighting is fine...
 
I also have the AC3 hooked up to:

1) SMS text me if something is amiss
2) A flood sensor on the floor
3) Float switch in sump

If you decide to go the AC3 route, I can help you with the programming instructions/hookups for those components.
 
Yes I have hooked it up. It works fine within my home network but I am still struggling with port forwarding it so I can view it outside of home. My big issue is not that of the Net module, but of my router and the ethernet bridge not communicating correctly. I am using the bridge as the net module is way to far from my router to connect.

The graphing etc is very nice. i believe Ian has his up and running well.
 
I was reading the neptune site and it sounds like you can turn things on/off over the web if you are out side the home. Is this correct, or am I reading it wrong? Does the RKE .NET module have this capability?
 
Yes with the AC3 can turn things on and off remotely, as long as you have web access and your controller is connected via an ethernet cable to a home router or something.
 
Hey guys,

I was looking at the neptune site and it says that aquanotes isn't compatible with XP home edition, which is the OS I have. I guess I will be going with a RKE, but I read about Ian's humidity problem with his RKE so if I mount it on the outside it should be ok, right?
 
The webserver part isn't compatible with XP home, I'm pretty sure everything else is good to go, and if you plan on using the freebe one you don't get web server. Besides the AC3 controller already has it's own web server built in.


On other controller news, I just got my RKE V2 keypad, with actual BUTTONS on it, man why they didn't ship this it amazes me, they wanted the slick no button feel, but didn't realize that real world electrical noise issues typically are not what you have in your fabrication lab.
 
Hey sfsuphysics,

Do you like the AC3 better than the RKE aside from the button problem? Can I connect the AC3 to the net through wireless? My router isn't close to my tank. Sorry, I don't know much when it comes to wireless internet connections.
 
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