WOW Im blown away by the response of my wife. Might need a Controller

Skimmerking · #1 12-31-2009, 09:27 PM

Well Doug dropped over to check my tank. Thanks Doug and I get a phone call from my wife saying listen mister you best sort out that Temp problem. I'm not having my favorite Fish freeze because of you.

well Now Tammy is starting to think that she own the tank .......

So I think it may be time for the wallet to open up again for a controller. and some of my timer's the batteries are zonking out too for the lights.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm. now people who are running tanks 60" with 3 MH can you chime in to explain on how easy is it to run a controller. with all your lights spread out across the room. and what did you end up spending on the controller and any hidden costs along with extra equipment that was needed

The Grizz · #2 12-31-2009, 09:41 PM

Not sure what you are trying to acomplish but this is what I did for my 155 BF. I used those Noma block heater timers for each MH and T5 balast. Got them when they were on sale for $8 each bought 6. I use them on all my tanks as they are water proof.

Skimmerking · #3 12-31-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Grizz

Not sure what you are trying to acomplish but this is what I did for my 155 BF. I used those Noma block heater timers for each MH and T5 balast. Got them when they were on sale for $8 each bought 6. I use them on all my tanks as they are water proof.

Well Im trying to make it more and more auto for the misses its pretty much automatic now and plus she is having a grerat time taking care of it FINALLY she is starting to love this hobby..... all she has to do is feed and take the brush and wipe of the collection cup of the skimmer the timers was a fluke that the one of the timers that i have the white ones from Canadian tire. its batteries keep the times set.

pterfloth · #4 12-31-2009, 10:02 PM

I have 3x400w MH on my 200. I use an Aquacontroller 3 to control my lights, pumps, fans and heater. The controller turns the fans and heater on and off to maintain the target temp. In the summer, the controller turns off the MH sequentially if the temp gets too high. Saved my corals from getting cooked several times last year.

If you want to control the lights and heater only, an Aquacontroller Jr would probably be fine. I started with that and then upgraded to the AC3 because there is an iPhone app for it that let's me monitor and control the tank remotely, important for me because I travel lots.

I bought my AC3 used on RC and am very happy with it. I have 2 DC8's for a total of 16 controllable outlets. It has temp and pH probes. If you are willing to spring for it, the new Apex controller looks very nice and has excellent reviews.

mike31154 · #5 12-31-2009, 10:09 PM

Not sure which timers you currently have, but if they're the digital type, then the batteries (button battery) are only in there as a backup to keep the settings & time if there's a power failure. That way you don't need to reset the programming after a power outage. That's one of the reasons I prefer them over the mechanical types. The digitals might not work properly without a button battery installed, but that's just a matter of changing them once a year or so. If you have few power outages, they should last for a long time.

banditpowdercoat · #6 12-31-2009, 10:24 PM

I made a 4 outlet controller from a Siemens Logo I got off Ebay really cheap. They are pretty much infinately adjustable and programable relays. 4 outputs, I switch my 3 MH, 2 on then the middle on 30 min later, and off in sequence too. And I got moonlights, 11pm-3:30AM. And a fan on a timer.

All depends on how DIY do you want to get, and what all do you want it to do. My setup cost me $70, including plugs and 4 11/16" elec box and cover.

Lance · #7 12-31-2009, 10:37 PM

Aquacontroller Jr. for the three MH, moonlights and dosing pumps.
Block heater timers for T-5's and fans.

Lance · #8 12-31-2009, 10:39 PM

Oh crap, I forgot the heaters are on controller too.

Skimmerking · #9 12-31-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike31154

Not sure which timers you currently have, but if they're the digital type, then the batteries (button battery) are only in there as a backup to keep the settings & time if there's a power failure. That way you don't need to reset the programming after a power outage. That's one of the reasons I prefer them over the mechanical types. The digitals might not work properly without a button battery installed, but that's just a matter of changing them once a year or so. If you have few power outages, they should last for a long time.

Hey Mike that is the ones that i have there like 18 bucks at cdn tire i have had them for 4 tears so ya its been pretty good to me , some things in this hobby that you tend to forget when they are going good... So once i get home in 2 weeks THANK GOD. Tammy bought me soem batteries for the 4 times that i have.

but looking at getting may be a temp controller may be or cut back on the plugs that I have. just looking at making it a little neater in the fish room and some less red tape too.

christyf5 · #10 12-31-2009, 10:56 PM

I run an aquatronica. Its super easy, you just plug everything in, set the times you want stuff to turn on and off and you're done. Double redundancy for the heater just set it and the controller deals with it, turns it on when its too cold, turns it off when its too hot. If the heater gets stuck on, the controller takes care of it. However if the heater doesn't work, you're screwed although you do get an alarm that lets you know the temp is subpar.

I think it was about $700 or so for the full setup at ocean aquatics and I recently bought a second powerbar. I also have the aquatronica dosing pump.

The profiluxes sound like great controllers too and I've seen a few basic setups for good deals. I can't remember who it was that had them though, maybe Aqua-Digital?