B2, coming soon

[Fliger]

Well I just wanted to thank Jesse (again) - I'm ordering the B2 pretty soon. Just trying to figure out what goodies to get along with it. Most likely the "SMS package", a couple dosing pumps - surprisingly affordable since any brand works, a Bluetooth adapter - the B2 already has BT built in, just need an adaptor, and a lighting interface - with this my lights (MH, T5 & moonlight) just plug into the wall, bypassing the power strip - and a telephone cord runs from my light to the controller and controls my MH/T5/Moonlight.

I need connectivity with my travel schedule and a business that I'm starting will require quite a bit of my time with an unpredictable work schedule. There are some very good choices and it was hard deciding - it came down to the ACIII since a buddy has it and it works very well, the new Lighthouse since I have the old one, and the new one is a SUPER bargain with connectivity built-in, and the Aquatronica which seems to be improving but the recent problems with their webserver and ethernet delays held me back. I'm sure it will be a perfectly good controller with time but I need the kinks worked out before I buy (also the reason I didn't get the new Lighthouse). I think the ACIII is an awesome controller for a great price but I just needed something a little more sleek since this will be in full display. The ACIII does page, and I believe the LH does also but its so new it makes me a little nervous. I don't know if the AQT has paging/text capabilities yet.

There were lots of other things with the B2 that I didn't even realize until last night after a long conversation with Jesse - he really doesn't advertise the features until you ask him. But little things like the inexpensive refillable ph probe, some other cool ph balancing features built-in - and the Aqua Rescue that is slated to come out soon which I don't completely understand yet but it sounds cool. Basically some battery back up and smart re-start features. Maybe Jesse can elaborate on it. They even have a Lux meter which is surprisingly affordable. Jesse mentioned he might be close to a dimmable T5 ballast that will work here - the B2 already has dimming built-in so I guess we're waiting for the technology to catch up to the US.

My biggest decision now is whether to get a Mac Book and run Parallel or just to get a cheap laptop off ebay. I also might get the Mac Mini and put it in the room with a wall mount display and I can run my iTunes and a watch Blue Planet in the aquarium room. :lol: I love the Bluetooth thing especially if I get a laptop, my Treo has BT but I don't know if I'll be able to do anything with that.

Back to work to support my hobby now! :bum:

[boozeman]

cool :thumbsup:
look foward to some pics ..maybe :confused:

...just a few more posts and I will be listing my aquatronica for sale :rolleye1:

[Nuuze]

OOOooo, dimming halide and T5 would be very cool! Would this feature be compatible with the Planet II?

[elosusa]

Dimming t5 is standard with the B2 but no metal halide dimming.

[shawk]

you just had to rub it in that your getting one didnt you!! can't wait to see it and find out how you like it.

[Fliger]

Hah shawk, you can come admire - only as I'd admire your RD. :)

I promise more pix. I hope the T5 dimmable ballasts pan out. Boozer - I had the AQT and its a decent controller but too many issues at the moment. In the end I opted for SMS rather than Ethernet. I'd rather have a text message immediately when something goes wrong. Totally personal preference. I'd consider all the controllers that made it to my final consideration set (B2, AQT, Aquacontroller III, LH and IKS) good controllers. I still haven't ordered yet and am down pretty much to the B2 or IKS. Finding out what options are available with the IKS is like pulling teeth.

[invincible569]

Cant wait to see it. Please write a good long review on it!

[Fliger]

Well I held out as long as I could to get info on the IKS to no avail, so I just ordered the B2 (I need the unit here this week). I still have no idea if they have any way to check params remotely (IKS). Was hoping for a little more timely info considering I'm spending a few grand on this controller.

I bought the B2 with SMS package and some other goodies like dosing pumps, etc. The first thing I get is the base unit/plug box/temp/ph/moonlight control/etc - then SMS, dosing pumps and a few other cool toys hopefully by the end of the year or January.

Can't wait, thanks for being patient with me Jesse.

[shawk]

congrats!! i can't wait to see how it works out for you

[Fliger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8692343#post8692343 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shawk
congrats!! i can't wait to see how it works out for you

Nice having you over man. You should bring your kids next time, or your wife so she can see why you should get an Elos to go with that fancy Red Dragon of yours. :) We'll have some beers and talk about what life was like before we turned into reef geeks.

You missed the B2 though, I just checked tracking and its somewhere in the state. Thanks Jesse for rushing that out.

[MNSPS]

Flinger,

Congratulations on getting a B2. I'm still trying to decide between the IKS and B2. I'm pretty sure I will go with the B2. My main concern is the B2's functionality in regards to controlling multiple dosing pumps. I plan on using two dosing pumps to dose small amounts of a 2 part calcium additive. What brand of dosing pumps are you planning on using with the B2?

Chris

[catchit]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8706244#post8706244 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MNSPS
Flinger,

Congratulations on getting a B2. I'm still trying to decide between the IKS and B2. I'm pretty sure I will go with the B2. My main concern is the B2's functionality in regards to controlling multiple dosing pumps. I plan on using two dosing pumps to dose small amounts of a 2 part calcium additive. What brand of dosing pumps are you planning on using with the B2?

Chris

talk to jesse...he has something up his sleeve for this. something coming soon. good luck.

[shawk]

Yeah it was great chatting with you, I have to say that Elos is the way to go in tanks....awesome quality!

[Fliger]

Hey Chris - I'm also going to be dosing CA and ALK. Jesse told me that the B2 can use any brand dosing pumps, and that way you're not forced to buy one company's pump. I haven't decided which ones to get yet - Jesse said he'd look into getting some higher quality ones that weren't so expensive. Maybe he can chime in & be more specific.

It really came down to the two, but I need the controller this week and told them that I needed to order it Monday. I kept getting told I'd get the information manana - that was last week and I still don't have any info. I know the product is good, I saw it in person but I figured if couldn't get info BEFORE I blew a few grand, I wasn't gonna get it AFTER. It was a little odd since I've gotten good service from them before. I'm sure they were just busy but the fact remained that I had to order and no one ever got back to me.

I am most likely putting an aquarium in a business we're opening next year, I might try out the IKS for that. Then at least its a tax write-off. :)

I should be picking it up today. I told Jesse to hold off on the SMS until some other things I special ordered came in but I think I might need it sooner. I can't wait to get text messages on my tank stats. :)

[elosusa]

Dosing pumps. The B2 has dosing pump controls built in and 6 dosing pumps are preset if you need them, or you can add more, if needed. As most of you may or may not know, Italy is one of the largest producers of dosing pumps and they are really very easy to get. I had the chance to play with some at Interzoo that our French reps had and they were very nice and relatively inexpensive. I have some pictures of them but I will have to dig them out. I will email those guys and perhaps they can post some information on them, as well. In general, we thought there was no real need to try and make a dosing pump because everyone has different dosing needs and the "technology" is really very basic and it pretty much comes down to quality. As I am coordinating our next container I will bring in a few different types of dosing pumps but will likely go with the ones I used at Interzoo because our Elos France reps have experience with them and they have serviced them well. Since the Aqua Rescue is done being tested I would imagine this will also be in this container, as well. Let me know if you have any other questions. Oh and Fliger I was thinking last night that I didn't pack the lux meter and I can't remember if you were getting that this "round"? I have a small air shipment in before X-mas and I should have some more stuff for the B2 and I will let you guys know what comes in, as I am not exactly sure:)

[MNSPS]

I was just out on the IKS site and browsing thru the manual. The programing of the unit looks kind of complicated. I'm sure once you have used it for a while that wouldn't be a problem. I guess I'm looking for a controller that is very intuitive. I guess I would use the analogy of wanting to use Windows instead of using DOS.

[Fliger]

That's funny I would use the anology of "Apple vs PC". :)

[boozeman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8706268#post8706268 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by catchit
talk to jesse...he has something up his sleeve for this. something coming soon. good luck.
ok Jesse...fess up!! :D

[Fliger]

Man, FE Ground SUCKS. I swear every time I get something from them it comes exactly at 8:30 pm and I freak out that its not gonna arrive. :) But it did and its awfully purty. I've seen pix of the box it comes in but I didn't realize it was like a suitcase, handle & all. :lol:

You definitely scored points with my wife when I took the protective wrap off the power box - her entire kitchen is commercial stainless. Its too nice to hide.

I guess I'll read the directions tonight and try to find some time to set it up this weekend.

I'm sure its in the directions - but on the ph probe - does it not come with ph refill because it loses accuracy over time sitting in a bottle?

Jesse can you shoot me a PM and let me know again - of the things I wanted to order in addition (SMS, dosing pumps, lighting interface - was that all?) - what is available now and when the other things will come in? I might get the lux meter but its lower on the priority list. It would be great to get the SMS and dosing pumps with the Christmas shipment. Then maybe I'll get the light interface and lux meter (and possibly Aqua Rescue after I understand it more) - in Jan/Feb, when they're ready.

Thank you again for being patient with me, and understanding I wanted to compare all controllers before buying. I'm still waiting to be disappointed with an Elos product. On the next shipment I definitely want some of the CA we talked about - and since everyone who tries the Elos test kits loves them - I want to try the CA for sure.

Alright, wife has been out of town on business all week so if I don't get off the computer for the weekend she's gonna leave me and I'll have to cuddle with my B2. :lol:

[invincible569]

PICS!! I want to see what your wife likes it!! :)

[Fliger]

I'll get some pix this weekend, but honestly it looks no different than the other couple posted here.

Jesse - I couldn't find the instruction manual, I went thru the Elos box, then thru the big box of peanuts. Is it online somewhere? I imagine it has warrantee and other info as well. LMK, on a positive note my wife will be thankful I don't take an instruction manual to bed tonight .... :)

[Fliger]

On the disc ... never mind. :)

[elosusa]

The calibration fluids are in the box and you will be prompted to calibrate probes when you plug it in, it is very simple. I have refill fluid but you won't need that for awhile. I will have more of Prima 1- alkali in next week and I can ship out whatever else you need for the B2 at that time except lighiting interface and dosing pumps, won't have those until ocean freight. Talk to you later

[boozeman]

what is Aqua Rescue?

[elosusa]

Fliger, how do you plan to mount or display the B2? Boozeman the dosing pumps "up my sleeve" are the ones I discussed in my post about pumps I played with at Interzoo. The Aqua Rescue is a back up system that will be available soon for B2 owners. The Aqua Resuce comes from a previous model that we sold as a stand alone unit and now will incorporate new features. The testing has been completed on this and they will be in production soon and I will pass along information on this as I get it.

[MikeD]

Bump on aqua rescue - is it your own personal reefkeeper while you are away. Like an android
that will rescue your tank if something goes wrong?

[elosusa]

AquaRescue is a module that allows the BII to use power from a marine battery that plugs into the AquaRescue and this will come on when there is a power outage. The AquaRescue will recognize the loss of power, SMS a message of the time the power went out (if you have a sms module), switch power supply over to the marine battery and run 2 pumps to keep the filter going slowly and keep circulation in the display. There is also 2 analog inputs for leak detectors, float switches etc. to turn on the rescue. These are details that I have gotten from conversations on the AquaRescue and the final version may differ a bit. The AquaRescue is finished and should be shipping in June. Hope that helps. I'll ask about the Android;)

[boozeman]

Put me down for one of those when it comes out !!! :D