Controllers, lets chat here!!!

[beerfish]

Yes even the ocean varies by more than 1 degree between morning and night.

No it doesn't.

The ocean temperature varies less than 1 degree in a 24 hour period.

 

[Killerdrgn]

If my controller broke right now, I'd hook up my backup controller (yes, I have a second one on standby). If that one broke, I'd order a new one that day. I wouldn't get rid of any livestock if any of my equipment broke... I'd get new equipment. Again, this is not a cheap hobby.

Ok your changing the premise of the question, again what if it was outside of your control? Such as a massive manufacturing error and there are 0 controllers left in the entire world to be able to be sold, and no amount of money that you can spend can change that fact. Would you get rid of everything just because there are no more controllers.

And on the same premise for lights, heaters, aquarium salt, water, any of the necessary equipment I would say yes you should get rid of the tank, but for the controller no.

 

[Killerdrgn]

No it doesn't.

The ocean temperature varies less than 1 degree in a 24 hour period.

On a macro level yes the temperature of the ocean doesn't vary much, but on a very localized level, yes it can actually vary more than 1 degree.

 

[beerfish]

Ok your changing the premise of the question, again what if it was outside of your control? Such as a massive manufacturing error and there are 0 controllers left in the entire world to be able to be sold, and no amount of money that you can spend can change that fact. Would you get rid of everything just because there are no more controllers.

And on the same premise for lights, heaters, aquarium salt, water, any of the necessary equipment I would say yes you should get rid of the tank, but for the controller no.

I wouldn't keep my tank without a controller.

 

[beerfish]

On a macro level yes the temperature of the ocean doesn't vary much, but on a very localized level, yes it can actually vary more than 1 degree.

The first few feet may vary more than 1 degree, below that it does not. (Unless you pee in the water)

 

[Killerdrgn]

Another interesting controller malfunction.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/showthread.php?p=772645#post772645

 

[motortrendz]

Another interesting controller malfunction.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/showthread.php?p=772645#post772645

i cant believe he figured that out.. thats a wild issue.. i wonder how many other people are going through that and have no idea.. makes you think
:letitallo

 

[juiceguy]

Profilux 3ex controlling just about everything except my return pump and skimmer. it was a PIA to set up but once you get the hang of it it has been rock solid.

i have the built in webserver which works great within my home network but i never figured out how to access it outside my network as i am not that tech savy.
i cannot imagine managing a tank without a controller anymore.

 

[Baja170]

Profilux 3ex controlling just about everything except my return pump and skimmer. it was a PIA to set up but once you get the hang of it it has been rock solid.

i have the built in webserver which works great within my home network but i never figured out how to access it outside my network as i am not that tech savy.
i cannot imagine managing a tank without a controller anymore.

I am looking at the Profilux setup for at least 6 of my 8 tanks. If you have broadband Internet and a router I can tell you how to setup so you can access your Profilux from the outside world. I will PM you my cell number. It is not hard to do.

 

[qy7400]

Actually that is not the same argument because the controller does not add any new life support functionality to the tank. A skimmer is a means for nutrient export and helps keep the water clean for longer, whereas a controller is nothing but a fancy light switch. A more akin analogy would be a controller to painting the back of your tank, or even an auto top off.

For the sake of full disclosure I do have an auto top-off on the tank in my parent's house because they keep forgetting to add water to the tank.

It's an interesting debate....

My AP24 has no skimmer, nutrient export is water changes but has a controller.

My clown fish tank has a few PH, skimmer and timers for the lights only; nothing fancy.

The tub holding my SPS has both, the controller is more of a lifeline for this tank than anything else; if the CO2 valve sticks dumping non stop CO2 the pH drops way to low, no skimmer, heater or power head will help.

Any tank can run just as easy without either, you only need saltwater and a pump for a tank; just keep the house at 74 via AC or heat and do weekly 25% water change.

The only item I consider life support is electricity, everything else is reef keepers choice nothing more.

 

[allenjj]

Apex

I run an Apex Controller which has sensors for Ph, Temp, ORP, Salinity, and Oxygen. It controls my metal hallide lights to cycle one on and then the next one at day break, and then one off at a time at sunset. It controls my tunze pumps to create some wave action and create movement in the tank. The controller turns the heater on and off and controls the chiller in the same fashion. It controls all of the other pumps so I can easily turn things on and off without crawling under the tank to find the outlet. I cant imagine running my tank without it.

John
90 gallon with 30 gallon refugium.

 

[qy7400]

No it doesn't.

The ocean temperature varies less than 1 degree in a 24 hour period.

Not completely true, today for example; water temps from today Long Key in Florida http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/buoy/2010/5/14/lonf1.html

1A 81F
7A 79F
1P 80F
7P 82F

Molasses Reef FL on May 8th http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/buoy/2010/5/8/mlrf1.html
1A 81F
6A 80F
3P 84F
11P 81F

 

[beerfish]

Not completely true

What's the depth of these readings? Most weather sites report surface water temperature, which I did mention as an exception.

Generally they are measured within 1 meter of the surface.

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

Looking to upgrade my controllers
i heard there is a controler that can turn things on and off by cell phone. I have my tank at my office and its hard to sleep at night b/c not sure if chiller or heaters are going to stay on. I have been having problems with digital aquatics with my high output chiller . They sold my a es that does not work and sometimes gets my chiller to stay on. So today i threw it out the window and bought a rinco control just for the chiller. But i want something that text's me if any alarm go off and if i look at my cell phone i can see whats going on with my tank 24/7 and not knowing b/c i am not there all the time could make me sleep at night

 

[Wes]

i think Neptune has an iphone app for their controllers

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

I dont have a Iphone only blackberry? that sucks!!

 

[qy7400]

What's the depth of these readings? Most weather sites report surface water temperature, which I did mention as an exception.

Generally they are measured within 1 meter of the surface.

Not sure, site does not say what depth the buoy reads; maybe someone else knows?


EDIT: just found the NOAA site list the buoy depth at 3.6 feet

 

[motortrendz]

i think genesis system were talking abt something like that...

 

[allenjj]

Remote control

The neptune apex has a web based interface so as long as you can open a browser you should be able to control anything thats plugged into it. I control my system from a samsung omnia phone.

 

[Dace]

Who has a controller (other than an RKE) that is remotely accessible via the internet? We are testing a new feature on the site and I would like to ask you a few questions. Please PM me.

Thanks.

i have an Apex that controls 5 tanks right from my iphone.. from all the controllers ive had, nothing beats it.. RKE is the worst.