Sorry not to derale this thread but-

Just out of curiosity what are we considering smaller systems? Less than 500 gallons? In the posts that mention an osmolator is better for smaller systems are we saying that the rate of flow from the pump may not be sufficient to match evaporation rate of the system? I have an osmolator on a 120 Gallon tank with about 30 Gallons in the sump. Granted system size does not absolutely determine evaporation rate but mine isn't running that often that it is limited to the rate of the pump and I would love to have a system that had this problem :lol:

I use an osmolator on a 150g setup that I have. Sometimes the sensor will become blocked or clouded over with salt creep or other stuff. After I clean it up, the pump will only run for 10 minutes then stop, which means that I have to sit there and plug then unplug the unit until the sump level is back up to regular maintained levels. Ideally it should keep up by small increments, but it doesn't always work out that way.
I think that on a smaller sump volume you could probably catch the problem sooner.

I think this probably makes up my mind for me. I just need to get somewhere, so if both devices are comparable in what they will offer me, the less expensive is the way to go. That leaves me 600 bucks for coral :)

If ever I win the lottery and can afford a Harley, I'll be buying a Ferrari instead. I'll use it to go to the LFS and pick up a Profilux :)

LOL, at least you'll get where you're going with the reliable Honda,...You can't always say that with the Harley, Just saying...:wink:

I use the exact same solenoid with a Profilux, as the GHL solenoid is only 230V, 50 hz. I switched mine to one optical sensor and one float switch as a fail safe. I have a mechanical float valve as a further fail safe.

Continuing with this derail ... FWIW, I am running an Osmolator on my 280g, and with 3x400w halides, 4x54w t5's and 2x24 t5's, there is a fair bit of evaporation happening.

But the Osmolator is defective, it doesn't shut off (it gets stuck on). In the meantime while I am dealing with Tunze service about this, I just plug it in for a few minutes twice a day and unplug it when the water level gets to the level it should be.

Point is, the supplied pump is not slower than the rate of evaporation.

One thing you can do however, is get a 12V relay from an electronics supply store, splice that into an extension cord, run it off the top up and then you can run a Maxijet (or a solenoid valve or whatever you want) instead of the suppliied DC pump. You can also buy such a relay from Tunze although I don't see it listed anywhere, but the DIY project would be pretty simple (and probably around $10-20 in cost).

Check it:
http://www.michiganreefers.com/forum...er-device.html

Hey, derailers, get out of my thread!! :)

You say that now, just wait until you are trying to figure out how to hook up the ATO on your new controller. :)

Ok, I'll shut up :)

Please done give Brad and ideas that involve him doing anything electrical over pushing a button or plugging it in.. I have seen what happens when he does wiring..

Steve

I was going to suggest this after Greg posted about the unit not being sufficient for his setup. I've seen that pump flow tho...I have a super tough time believing it pumps slower than the evap. Or maybe I'm not fully understanding. Maybe the reservoir the sensor is in is very large so when the 'eye' detects a need for water it can't make it up in 10 min. I think if you make the return pump area small enough so evaporation makes the level there change very quickly...the unit will be doing far more frequent topoffs and none even close to 10 min in length.

But umm...on topic...I like my standalone doser. If the main unit is as easy to use at it is I wouldn't have any issues. I'm a computer nerd to a small degree so maybe it helps I'm not sure.

Shut up!! It was a small fire!! Although I did zap myself last week, but that wasn't my fault!

not your fault? :rolleyes: :rofl:

Steve

No. I put an old hagen powerhead in the tank, and then my arms. Then I touched the reflector and slam, got jolted out of the tank. It's the powerhead's fault. And quit derailing my thread.

your thread was derailed years ago :wink: oh and still waiting for pictures...

Steve

That's a pretty unsubstantiated claim considering a working prototype was displayed at Interzoo. To the best of my knowledge, it would seem highly improbable/impossible to have thousands of individuals touch and physically manipulate a CAD-based object at a trade show short of... MAGIC. So unless you're suggesting that MAGIC happened, I'd back up your statement with something outside of a biased opinion.

The Cerebra is completely different from traditional controller systems. It is an app-based device, and much like what the iPhone did to the mobile industry, the Cerebra will set the stage for a new level of user functionality and interactivity. What other controller will be seamlessly plug & play for any and all devices/apps. What other controller will prominently feature Android-based app building function? How many controllers are still limited by their 8-bit CPU?

Cross your t's and dot your i's buddy.

Sorry to the OP for derailing the thread.

hey hey hey... whats with the slams when I am not paying atention to the unimportant posts :mrgreen:

just kidding I just noticed this and found you slamming me again. but ya the vertex does look sweet, to bad its only gone into beta testing.

Brad hold out till we see how much this one is :mrgreen:

Steve

It's not a slam unless you love Ipads :)

Sorry, I didn't hear the prototype was working. I heard it was just a concept. I still stand by my comment that an Ipad or similar device makes more sense. I'm sure Vertex will drop the Cerebra once they realize this.

No, I don't think it's gonna be out soon enough. It's gotta go thru testing and I don't suspect we'll see it until summer. I'm going to go with the Apex I think...

Wow, somebody fell out of bed this morning. Thanks for the un-biased post though.

You rattle the Proline cage and Albert returns from the dead. That my friends is the REAL magic. :biggrin:

Maybe it was just residual parnoramal energy posting?

Okay!

... But the Cerebra is not a GUI device/touchscreen overkill/whatever toy for rich kids and their Nemos. It is a complete aquarium manager and hosts all the bells and whistles commonly associated with these equipments. There is not a lot of information out there about this product, but I assure you, the touchscreen is merely the most visible portion of the platform. There is a reason it has a 32-bit processor over the standard 8-bits that you see in other systems.

At the risk of hyperbole, I would press that the Cerebra will do for aquarium controllers what the iPhone/Blackberry did for personal communication devices.

is it realy based on the android set up? that would realy suck if it is.

Steve

Oh God, Android is great, you're just upset that you still own a BB. I would consider it a great feature if it's Android based.

actualy any of the app based phones have good apps and its not the android its self I am worried about but rather its popularity with its brainwashed owners. the apple iphone has been having virius issues with apps and now its moving on to the android. now it is a slim to none chance that this would be an issue with a aquarium controler as there is nothing realy to gain by infecting it, but the possibility of something getting screwed up and possibily messing things up with your tank are pretty scary.

I think that even if it is a app based set up you will only be allowed to use there apps and they won't be open source like a lot of the android ones are.

Steve

But with Android, which is open source, anyone can write an app, it's not restricted to the vendor. And if needed (assuming it's anything like a phone), you could reload a backup of your ROM in 5 minutes. I personally would think it a good feature to be Android based.

This is going to be one of the main selling features of the Cerebra. Custom App availability will be subject to review prior to availability to end users to prevent any issues with system corruption.

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