Aquatronica Or Neptune Systems Aquacontroller 3?

[sangpeiris]

I''m in the market to get a computer controller. Seems like the two top end devices are the Aquatronica and AquaController 3 or 3 Pro. Both units seem to have the same functionality. The only difference that might make the AquaControler a better unit are the following;

1. A built in Ethernet port and webserver
2. Sends out warning e-mails
3. Can be accesed remotely from anywhere on the internet (not just from the connected PC)
4. However, the Aquatronica unit seems to have a better display on it (not sure how important this is)

Would appreciate comments on feed back on which computer would be the best unit. remote control, monitoring and alarm messaging is important to me as I'm away from home 3 to 4 days a week every week.


Thanks.

[Suffolk Reefer]

monitoring and alarm messaging is important to me as I'm away from home 3 to 4 days a week every week.

Would have thought that you have already answered your own question, as it is whats best for you. I would have guessed that it is going to be difficult for people to give comments based on facts, as how many people do you know that have been able to run the two side by side to give judgement.

Will watch this with interest, as Aquatronica is my next big purchase when funds allow... :blink:

[wavey]

Hi,

Ethernet goes into production for Aquatronica in the next couple of months and should be available for retail sales early summer. It will be able to send e-mail alerts as well.

Also the SMS alert system should be available a couple of months earlier.

Hope this helps!

Ian
ITC Aquatics
Aquatronica, Grotech, Ruwal.

[sangpeiris]

Originally posted by wavey@Jan 29 2006, 16:55
Hi,

Ethernet goes into production for Aquatronica in the next couple of months and should be available for retail sales early summer. It will be able to send e-mail alerts as well.

Also the SMS alert system should be available a couple of months earlier.

Hope this helps!

Ian
ITC Aquatics
Aquatronica, Grotech, Ruwal.
Ian;

Thanks for the quick reply. It certainly helps.

I'm in no hurry to get the product. Won't have my tank setup till April. Just in the planning stages right now. Your timming is perfect. Having Ethernet and SMS would make the Aquatronic more a more attractive product. Couple more questions if you don't mind.

1. Will the Ethernet option feature its own webserver or will it require a webserve on the PC?
2. If you have an Ethernet connection, then will I need the Seriel connection as well for connecting to PC and collecting data for trend analysis.
3. Can you have more than one temprature sensor?
4. Who are the retailers of the product in the USA?

:idea: When do u think u will make a touch screen controll interface for a wall mounted or aquarium stand mounted LCD screen driven by the PC conected to the Aquatronica controller?

:idea: Any plans of porting your software to the Windows Media Center Endition 2005 interface? Would be great if the unit can be operated from this 10' interface with the MCE remote controll. Think of all the nice status displays you can see on your large screen TV...

the two above ideas if implemented will clearly make this controller the unit to have...leaving the competion back in the 20th century. You can pay me for giving you innovative product ideas by giving me a base unit for free :evil:

Regards,

[sangpeiris]

Would have thought that you have already answered your own question

Yes, i have answered my own question, but wanted to see if others had gone through the same thought process and verify that I had not missed something. The new information from Ian, clearly turns the tables in favor of the Aquatronics unit. Also, price wise, they both seem to be about the same... Availablity wise, seems like the Neptune Systems products are more available in the USA at least. The LFS in Dallas, TX (all of them) have never heard of the Aquatronica... so some marketing needs to be done here. Unless of course the product has not been introduced in the USA yet... that would explain the lack of product specific knowledge. Finally, I'm not sure why popular Aquarium magazines don't do product reviews comparison like say in the computer or hi-fi gadgets industry.

[wavey]

Hi,

Im of to see the new products (and some more in the pipeline, nitrate probe anyone?) next week. I will have more details then on the ethernet system.

Aquarium Obssesd in Canada is currently the distributor for the whole of North America. I think Will is coming to Italy next week, I will let him know that Texas needs more work!

Each plug bar can take upto two temp sensors, any more require a separate temp/level interface.

Ian
ITC Aquatics
Aquatronica, Grotech, Ruwal

[sangpeiris]

Originally posted by wavey@Jan 29 2006, 19:41
Im of to see the new products (and some more in the pipeline, nitrate probe anyone?) next week. I will have more details then on the ethernet system.

Thanks Ian,

Please pass on my ideas to the product development folks in Italy. Especially, the MCE platform adoption will be important... as Micrsoft is pitching this platform as the next generation digital home control and media center. For media, it works very well (suprisingly, better than anything Apple has to offer right now). X10 stuff is just starting to be adopted for the MC2K5 interface. Your product is a natural extension for this interface. From what I understand, given that the underlying operating system for MC2K5 is actually Windows XP Professional, adopting windows software to the new UI is not a big deal. Just need to rethink the UI specifics a it has to be easily operated from a remote control from 10 feet (3m) away. With the upcomming release of Windows Vista, I believe the MCE2K5 interface will be a standard component.


Rgds.

[Tiggsy]

and get them to stick an ALARM on the pc software! (i doubt it needs Bill Gates to sort that one!)

[sangpeiris]

i doubt it needs Bill Gates to sort that one!

:LOL - That is pretty funny! I'm falling off my chair in laughter.

[Will]

neptune for me, the level of programming far out weighs the iks, dont know about the aquatronica, but the level of how far you want to take the netune is up to you or your bank ballance for x10's

ie you can have it set that your top up will run for 2 min every 15 mins, and in conjuction only when the pH is below 8.2, and the teperature is at 27, and the orp is at least at 280 all you do is plug one x10 on top of another {i kno you dont need to go that far buttrying to prove a point :lol: }

ie so all that info for just one plug, and for example

the tanks gets hot, you can start fans at 27
start more fans at 27.3
more fans at 27.5
chiller at 28
turn off lights one by one at 30
31
32
33 etc

so the level of programming is very basic but very easy to create very indepth settings with

and help to keep elecy down on chilling etc buy stageing the fans etc

and the chiller can be plugged in a different room and still eb controlled by it :thumbsup:

im getting the new one, when i redo my tank again :thumbsup:

[wavey]

Hi Jimmyjaz,

Basically the Aquatronica does all this as well. Not to sure on the neptune but basics for Aquatronica,
upto 60 control circuits/plugs
upto 20 inputs
wave and tide functions built in
free on-line updates
pH, ORP density/conductivity, level and temp available now,
Calcium, nitrite and nitrate currently in development
SMS alert coming soon,
Ehternet coming soon,
power cut function,
recorded data as a graph(1, 7 or 28 days)
peristaltic pumps with programmes in March,
dimming T5 and T8 ballasts for the summer,
Water presence sensor(for leaks) late this year,
IR sensor for movement infront of tank(switch on/of various bits of kit)

Aquatronica is set up so you can overide other programmes, ie switch kalk addition(by timer) OF if pH reaches 8.3. NO need to add extra plugs on top of one another.
For the switching of fans, just programme more plugs from the one temp sensor.

Ian
ITC Aquatics,
Aquaronica, Grotech, Ruwal

[sangpeiris]

I'm with you Ian. I was convinced, the Neptune System was far better. But, with all the product development plans u guys have, your unit will be supiror. The only draw back is lack of X10 support. I guess, one could imagine the need to controller an X10 enabled device with this computer as well.... say if the chiller was in another room or say readings from an x10 enabled room air-conditioning/heating controller. But, I'm sure, adding x10 controller to the Aquatronic is not a big deal.

I don't know the chemistry or the technology invovled.... but, any chance of developing a KH monitor?

[sid8ball]

KH monitors are impossible for the hobbyist due to the cost and size of equipment needed. You would have to accurately measure the change of a known measured quantity sample by adding known quantities of another chemical. A real nightmare.

Cheers

Sid

[MaidstoneMarine]

The aquatronica certainly looks the business but the it's one drawback at the moment is that there's an awful lot which is currently vapourware! I've looked into getting one but will be holding back until all that is promised is actually delivered - there've been too many instances in the past where things have been promised and they've failed to show. I'm sure this won't be the case but I always err on the side of caution!

[sid8ball]

every one hold off and a buy an OceanView and then i can retire :thumbsup: :D

[stm]

Hi
Having had experience of all of these systems plus the Octopus both in operation and dealing with the companies involved. I feel aquatronica are onto something.

There is a lot of programming facilities within the neptune if you need that level of detail which in reality a well set-up aquarium should not. Yes and they have ip access on the current model its only taken 10 years to get there gave up asking for inbuilt webserver 4 years ago.

In reality Aquatronica have the industrial control electronics background to move quickly to market with new innovations and seem to be doing jut that.

Of any electronic product we have sold over the year this has been the most straight forward and well supported option.




regards Jez

PS as for vapour ware this is not a microsoft product as the Aquatronica stands it does the job of running your aquarium and reporting it to your PC. IOn specific sensors and ethernet are nice to have for the tech heads but the average customer gives me a vacant look when I mention pc interface and all the stuff people on this forum get excited for.

Ssangpeiris comments about the imminent arrival of Vista, MS are only saying last 1/4 2006 and all the other dates they have given have slid badly. By which time the intel market pc will be leaking out to Mr Jobs and OS X. As he is no doubt aware, despite big public announcements that he is not chasing the OS market and OSX will be prevented from running on PC's Current X86 versions of OS X will run straight out the box on modern Dell PC's hmmm.

Ian
Think we need and OS X version of the pc software :D

[bunglehaze]

Actually Sangperis comments on MCE which is a dead platform once Vista arrives, I have been playing around with Vista since the early alpha builds and the more recent have had MCE built in which apprently is the intention for the final product.

I agree that the pc software needs porting to other platforms, after trialling Linux for 2 days and realising I like it soooooo much better than any of the windows crap it gutted me to have to go back to XP because of the lack of software support for the graphics/web design programs I need it to run properly.

Back to Aquatronica though, I got mine this morning and have spent the best part of a couple of hours trying to get it to heat my tank, everything else is working just fine so I guess I am just being a dumbass. The interface is a doddle to use, its a nice neat and pretty (if you can call it that) machine. From the reputation of the support system alone I think this is going to be big!

cheers

leigh :D

[james141]

just my 2 pence worth:

I looked at a lot of the systems and the aquatronica was the best and in some cases by far the cheapest!!

I love my aquatronica and wouldnt be without it, it is the best thing I have bought for my system, the level of program is enough for 99% of applications :D

Also they do listen to thier customers, we asked for shortcut macro keys and a password protect function. Guess what we got it in the next up date!! I dont think the same can be said for IKS!

Cant fault that! highly recommended.