View Full Version : Which Controller do you guys use?
JenDub
05/15/2006, 08:52 AM
Hello to all,
I'm debating on which controller to buy. I've looked into the AC3 and the octopus 4 but am still on the fence. Please let me know your advice and experience with these units and any others you like.
Thanks! Charles
Honigbiene
05/15/2006, 09:05 AM
I`ve been running a neptune AC II for awhile and love it, except for the x-10`s do get interferance occasionaly. The newer models have all the web access right? That would be useful if you were on vacation or something i think, especially with web cams ( I really wish one of these controller manufactures would put multiple feed modes in the programing. You know to have feed 1 shut down the tank for 30 min so you can feed the fish, feed 2 shut pumps off for an hour or two for suspension feeding.......etc.... sorry) I have not played with the octi system in awhile but the main thing i did not like about it was the fact you could not manually control any devices.. i`m not sure if there newer models are changed but i really like that feature
druluv
05/15/2006, 09:24 AM
I like the premium aquatics version
fishgeeksrus
05/15/2006, 10:02 AM
AC II here. We love it!
AlgaeMan
05/15/2006, 10:09 AM
I use an AC III Pro and an AC III. Love them both.
Maximus
05/15/2006, 10:11 AM
I use the ACIII in conjunction with the dc-8 and it's great! It took me over 10 years to get one of these and I wish I had done it sooner. Curt at Neptune Systems is highly regarded when it comes to customer service, especially after the sale. I highly recommend it Charles!
eclecticvibe
05/15/2006, 10:22 AM
I use an ACIII and it's very nice. I like the computer interface. Having the tank automated on so many levels is such a great convenience.
cfishrun
05/15/2006, 11:49 AM
I have the ACII, and for the amount of money I spent on it, I'd have to say that I'm not very satisfied. The PH probes I got were defective and had to be sent back to Neptune for testing, at my cost. I've re-calibrated the current PH probe several times, but I still don't trust it (it reads 7.8-8.05; I dose 2-4 tsp. of Kalk a day and my dKH is 10.25); also, the ORP probe usually returns a reading greater than 450, and sometimes as high as 490. Needless to say, I wouldn't feel confident having it control a kalk/calcium/ozone reactor, which is half the point of getting an all-in-one-controller. The AquaNotes software is glitchy (even with the latest patch) and it was not very easy to sync up the controller to my computer. Any time that I want to reprogram the controller, I have to do a manual re-boot by taking the battery out and cutting the power. When it resets, I lose all the programmed information and the clock reverts back to midnight, so all the programmed devices go into chaos. I do have the DC8, which I'd say is a must if you're planning on controlling your lighting. If I could go back in time, I'd buy an Aquatronica. They're expandable (which the AquaControllers are not) and seem to be more stable & reliable.
JB NY
05/15/2006, 01:40 PM
AC3 here. Really like it.
elephen
05/15/2006, 02:17 PM
ACIII gets my vote. Had it for a few months and it rocks.
Even got an app that logs into the web interface, parses out all the info then uploads it to a mysql database then I display it on my website :)
clkwrk
05/15/2006, 02:26 PM
I run ACII but want a 3 pro
JenDub
05/15/2006, 03:11 PM
Right on, does anyone run the octopus?
Znut Reefer
05/15/2006, 04:19 PM
I do, and have always ran the Octopus. No complaints here.
cwegescheide
05/15/2006, 04:31 PM
After a little struggle figuring out getting the ACIII on the web (my own ignorance) got it on the web btw I also wish I would have gotten one sooner. Very nice especially if you spend a lot of time away from home. I've got just about everything you can imagine automated with it:
Kalk top off
H20 top off (if ph is higher than I want)
lights
pumps
temp
fans
skimmer
etc...
Nice piece of equipment..
gweezpie
05/15/2006, 06:32 PM
ACII and just upgraded to the ACIII...
7thheaven
05/15/2006, 07:00 PM
I use the ACIII in conjunction with the dc-8 and it's great
JenDub
05/15/2006, 09:02 PM
Man, I'm thinking the ACIII is the way to go, sounds like it has a strong user base and the website is sooo much better than octo's.
Are there any features other than the dc8 that you recommend getting? I'm just starting sps so I want to do it right =)
marine_freak
05/15/2006, 11:22 PM
I run the AC 3 pro and love it........
secrest
05/16/2006, 12:30 AM
Ive got the reefkeeper 2 and love it!
johntbyrne
05/16/2006, 12:38 AM
What about the AC Jr? Anyone?
smoke15
05/16/2006, 01:02 AM
reefkeeper 2 .....why is this not mentioned more?
clkwrk
05/16/2006, 01:13 AM
Not sure I have the og aquacontroller and aquacontroller II I am neptune for life :D
Tried ,true,tested and reefer approved ;)
fishsoldseprtly
05/16/2006, 04:02 AM
ACII here!
sps_addict
05/16/2006, 05:14 AM
ACIII Pro with all options running except for dissolved oxygen (too pricey for that thing IMO) with DC8 here.
1SickReefer
05/16/2006, 05:26 AM
ACIII and 2 DC8's here :) I love it, I was on the fence with the AQT during my purchase, seeing all the problems AQT is having I am sooo glad i went with neptune.
elephen
05/16/2006, 06:29 AM
Curt @ Neptune's support is second to none also.
poknsnok
05/16/2006, 07:49 AM
i have an AC junior. got a great deal thru reef central.. works great almost all the time :)
gweezpie
05/16/2006, 08:31 AM
Definetly use the DC4HD for lights if Metal Halides, and the DC8 for other. Skip the X-10 modules. I only use one for my chiller and not for much longer. I find the X-10 modules suck and the DC4 and 8 much more reliable. I use DC4's so I can seperate the load on differnt circuits.
I also find it nice to use AquaNotes for programming reports, etc. You don't need it but once you have used it you won't regret it. The AC3 links to your PC via Cat 5 (ethernet) and has a built it webserver. Very cool product. If you have unlimited cash, the AC3 Pro is even better but the cost differential for the additonal probes and the unit was to rich for my blood.
BTW this Board has alot of knowledgable people to get you through the setup and Curt at neptune is great. I used past postings to configure my unit. Extremely helpful.
Good Luck
schwaggs
05/16/2006, 02:40 PM
ACII here for 4 years. Love it's programming capability. I use several steps of cooling and have my 3 halides come on from east to west! :)
Zaphod
05/16/2006, 09:48 PM
Aqutronica here. I think they worked out all of the bugs and are adding SMS eathernet and dosing pumps.
http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/images/AQ_Ethernet.jpg
http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/images/AQ_DosingPump.jpg
http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/images/AQ_GSM.jpg
I love how they are always coming out with somthing new. Just don't by the salinity interface yet it seams to still have some issues but everything else should be great. I love mine.
http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/images/aquatronica_cont.jpg
RobbyG
05/21/2006, 11:05 AM
With all the new additions for the Aquatronica I think it is now way ahead of any other controller. The only problem the unit has is the Salinity probe which works well for some people but gives problems for others. I have had my Aquatronica for 8 Months now and it has never crashed, locked up power strips or done anything that could crash my Tank.
The AQ is the next generation controller, I know some are afraid of change and like to use the words "Mature Product", but the fact is that the Aquatronica gets new firmware upgrades about every 2 months and so far they have fixed 99% of a problems and added dozens of new features. Most other controllers get no new updates and your stuck with the features you purchased it with.
JonTarutis
05/21/2006, 01:11 PM
Is anyone putting out a Mac friendly interface? I'd really like to avoid running VirtualPC...
Zaphod
05/21/2006, 05:49 PM
Probably when the web intrface comes out you can use that. Or use a intel MAC and put XP on it.
Vamp1975
06/05/2006, 02:56 AM
Charles -
Allow me to chime in, I've run an ACII for a couple of years now without any problems. A week and a half ago, the unit had a crazy error and the pH probe was not registering. I tried a different probe and nothing. I ordered an ACIII and had it running for 4 days. When I came home Tuesday morning from work, everything was fine and working. I got up for work around 4pm and came down to look at my tank only to discover everything pulled in and looking very odd... I looked at the controller and it said memory error. I reached in the tank and to my horror, it was like bath water. I freaked!!!! Luckily I had not removed my old controller or probes as I hadn't found the time. When I plugged it back in, the temp in the tank was 89.4... CAN YOU SAY HOLY POOP!!!!
The chiller kicked in immediately, Elizabeth came home from work to keep an eye on things as I could not miss work. After contacting Curt (Please don't even get me started on his customer service skills) I got NO WHERE!!!!! He really didn’t care and his only response was to get one out for me in a day or two as they had none built. Now after I had this happen, do you really think I wanted to put an untested unit back on my system?
This was very upsetting to me. As a result, I have an Aquatronica Pro Kit on the way. One thing I really like is the fact that if the controller itself fails, the power unit can be overridden unlike the direct connects (By the way, X10 suck!!!). If the control unit fails on the AC, you’re screwed! You will have to plug everything into standard outlets.
I was very fortunate. I lost one Monti & one Echino. Luckily the lords & micro’s are so hardy! I really thought I was going to loose my brand new Rhyzo, I wanted to barf I was so upset!
Just my two sense, but stay clear of AC!!!
Elizabeth & I will see you & Jen in a couple of weeks.
Get a hold of me if you need any more info!
reefinmike
06/05/2006, 11:59 AM
i am running a few two prong lamp timers. lol.. i play by the keep it simple rule.
oldimpala
06/05/2006, 02:25 PM
I've been running an Aquatronica Pro for a few weeks now... Retired a ReefKeeper 1; it works well, just didn't have any "Add-Ons" beyond the basics...
I've even devised a Wireless RS-232 for linking/firmware updates/programming for the unit.
Love it, it's been great... Honestly, I'd do it all over again, and Will @ Aquarium Obsessed has been really, really good with customer service....
I'd recommend it...
-Andy/Oldimpala
jamesdawson
06/05/2006, 02:50 PM
For the price, now and future capabilities, and the customer service--you can't beat Aquatronica.
I love mine and its only going to get better with all the new features coming down the pike. They are even working on a CALCIUM PROBE!
There are older controllers relying on older technologies out there and there are higher end units too, but for all the reasons I stated, Aquatronica is the best bang for the buck.
James
RobbyG
06/05/2006, 02:57 PM
It's a pitty that Neptune has not come out with something new, I like to see healthy competition, it benefits the consumer :) As of right now I would say Aquatronica has jumped far ahead of the rest, even ahead of the expensive ElOS BIO II
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