Picked up a contoller... what can I do with it lol

[chort55]

Ok, so I picked up a controller finally the other day.... got a good deal on a Neptune AC Jr. I havent messed with it at all yet.

It came with a the dc8, ph and temp probes, and a cord to hook up to a comp. The only real plans I have for it right not atleast are to run my lights and maybe my koralia's which will obviously leave me with a little extra room so I was wondering what everyone uses their controllers for.... looking for some ideas on other things to do with this new little toy for my tank

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Heater(s). Then you'll never have to worry about it getting stuck on.

Tom

[Sir Patrick]

What is a DC8, and what does the chord do tht hooks up to your comp?

[Tankster]

Originally Posted by Sir Patrick

What is a DC8, and what does the chord do tht hooks up to your comp?

The DC8 (direct connect with 8 outlets) is a powerstrip. Each outlet can be programed separately. The computer cord allows you to program it from a computer vs punching the buttons on the unit to write the program. Some guys over on RC remote in to their computer that is plugged into the Jr.

aquacontroller jr web hookup? - Reef Central Online Community

[Tankster]

Originally Posted by Tom@HaslettMI

Heater(s). Then you'll never have to worry about it getting stuck on.

Tom

I agree, set a script so that if temp gets too high, or too low, that it turns your heater off. Too low in case your temp probe fails and gives a bad reading.

You can also program a feed cycle where it will turn off certain powerheads, return pumps or skimmer while you are feeding. You can set the interval to automatically turn back on afterwards. No more forgetting to turn something back on.

[chort55]

Originally Posted by Tom@HaslettMI

Heater(s). Then you'll never have to worry about it getting stuck on.

Tom

Good idea Tom! Kind surprised I overlooked that idea after the recent postings about Stealth failures/recall and having one blow up in the past myself.

Originally Posted by Tankster

The DC8 (direct connect with 8 outlets) is a powerstrip. Each outlet can be programed separately. The computer cord allows you to program it from a computer vs punching the buttons on the unit to write the program. Some guys over on RC remote in to their computer that is plugged into the Jr.

aquacontroller jr web hookup? - Reef Central Online Community

Thanks for the link I think it will definitely make things a little easier once I get it all hooked up and hooked to the comp... not to mention save some $$$ on buyin the full version of aquanotes!

Originally Posted by Tankster

I agree, set a script so that if temp gets too high, or too low, that it turns your heater off. Too low in case your temp probe fails and gives a bad reading.

You can also program a feed cycle where it will turn off certain powerheads, return pumps or skimmer while you are feeding. You can set the interval to automatically turn back on afterwards. No more forgetting to turn something back on.

Could you possibly give me some ideas as to the "script" for doing some of these things? Its all really new and confusing to me... will it be easier to do with it hooked to the comp or do the programming through the display unit??

[Tankster]

LT1$-A1 actinic lights
LT2$-A2 metal halide lights
SKM#-A3 skimmer
PM1#-A4 return pump or powerhead
HET%-A5 heater
COL%-A6 fan
PM2#-A7 return pump or powerhead
PM3#-A8 return pump or powerhead

If Time > 08:30 Then LT1 ON
If Time > 21:30 Then LT1 OFF
If Time > 09:30 Then LT2 ON
If Time > 20:30 Then LT2 OFF
If Time > 21:30 Then SKM ON
If Time > 08:30 Then SKM OFF
If Temp > 79.5 Then COL ON
If Temp < 79.4 Then COL OFF
If Temp < 78.0 Then HET ON
If Temp > 78.5 Then HET OFF
If Temp < 50.0 Then HET OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then PM1 ON
If Time > 00:00 Then PM2 ON
If Time > 00:00 Then PM3 ON
If Time > 00:00 Then SKM ON
If FeedA 000 Then SKM OFF
If FeedA 000 Then PM1 OFF
If FeedA 000 Then PM2 OFF
If FeedA 000 Then PM3 OFF


you could also have lights turn off if temp gets too high.

[jolson10450]

nice!! you will love it, so much more piece of mind when controlling your temps with heaters and fans plus lights too. i cant live without mine now.

i have the reefkeeper 2 with 8 plugs i have the following hooked to it:

daylights
actinics
moonlights
fuge light
heater
skimmer
return pump
koralia 2

the return and koralia 2 are hooked to the feed button, the heater is replaced in the summer with a fan, skimmer is always on i just have it in a plug to easily turn it off for cleaning of the cup, all of the other lights are on their own timers, actinics come on 1 hour before the daylights and turn off 1 hour after the daylights to somewhat simulate a sunrise/sunset effect.

i have an ATO too but that is in the other plug on the outlet, it is a float relay so it always has to stay on because when the float triggers it needs to be on.

[CalmSeasQuest]

It would be easier to list what you "can't" do with a controller

At the top of the list is a Heater controller. I can't imagine EVER trusting a heater(s) without a controller. Set the heater thermostat slightly higher then the controller. This will save the cycles on the bi-metal switch in the heater and extend it's life while providing redundancy (safety.)

• Control of lights (sunrise/sunset,night, moon, sump/fuge lighting...)
• Control of pumps including Skimmer (feed, maintenance, wavemaking,night/sleep modes...)
• pH Driven controls (dosing, Kalk, Ca Reactor, alarms, trend monitoring...)
• ATO - control by dosing/top off pumps or by adding floats (I use an Osmolator with a salinity fail-safe provided by the Apex and a conductivity probe.)
• ORP monitoring - a great overall water quality gauge
• Salinity (Although I don't think the ACJr supports a conductivity probe) - Maintain a stable salinity and use as fail safe for ATO.
• Cooling - Control of fans and/or chillers
• Internet access, alerts and alarms - I travel a lot. My controller gives me access to all of my tanks, alerts or alarms me of any changes and gives me the ability to make any needed changes from anywhere from eith my cell or laptop.

I think one of the biggest benefits I've gained from the use of a controller is knowledge. The trending and graphing functions allow you to see the constant changes taking place and identify any negative trends long before they would impact your livestock. If your interested, early last year I put together a brief Webinar on controllers. Although it featured an Apex, the concepts are the same. It included,

• Controller Concept – What you can do with a controller
• Basic hardware and software setup (Temp, Lights, ORP…)
• Web interface and controls including remote control via a handheld device (I use a Palm Pre – but works with all.)
• Programming, alerts and warnings
• Dosing and top off methods and programming

You can view the recorded Webinar at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/868485570

[chort55]

Originally Posted by Tankster

If Time > 21:30 Then SKM ON
If Time > 08:30 Then SKM OFF

I understand the rest of your script but am I reading this correct.... you only run your skimmer at night after lights out? What is your reasoning/ have you noticed any benefits to this, as Ive always read to run your skimmer 24/7..... or am I reading the script/ understanding it wrong??

Originally Posted by CalmSeasQuest

It would be easier to list what you "can't" do with a controller

[*]pH Driven controls (dosing, Kalk, Ca Reactor, alarms, trend monitoring...)

If your interested, early last year I put together a brief Webinar on controllers. Although it featured an Apex, the concepts are the same. You can view the recorded Webinar at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/868485570

Wow yeah theres definitely alot more that can be done with this thing then I originally thought/ cared to do lol I will definitely check out that webinar sounds like a good thing to do for sure, thank you for taking the time to put it together!

Right now I don't do any kind of dosing, and wasnt really planning on even hooking up the ph probe... mostly because I dont even know what Id do to change the ph if it was bad.... I have done pretty good not messing with any parameters or checking anything (Ive only had my salinity checked once and that was because a friend wanted to see where it was after my tank had been up for over a year... it was 1.024 lol).... so my question about this part would be if I do hook it up is there any kind of benefit to watching it knowing more then likely im not going to interfere with it.... not to interested in getting into dosing yet, and even if I was not to sure what to dose/ how to go about doing it right now