View Full Version : aquatronica, iks, etc
mikeadams1985
25-09-06, 20:17
Bit of advice on a big purchase if you could spare some advice ppl :)
Im looking for some sort of a computer to control and record things.
Im looking for something that will do the following:
- Timer for lights. (multi timers, halides and actnics need to be seperate)
- Monitors - ph, temp, (if poss, calcium, alk, etc)
- Temp control
- level sensor + topup
- PC interface, would like to be able to connect up to a PC and record all readings (hourly, daily or weekly)
- Stream control (6060's so speed control no required, just on and off)
at the moment all ive read about is aquatronica. Ive heard people talk of IKS plugbars, but not read into what they are?
any suggestions or other brands i should look at.
Cant remeber a name, but a UR member is currently developing something like this if im right?
Silverback
25-09-06, 21:17
Mike
have a look under the zone heading on the main forum - there's a section devoted to control systems.....
Karl
mikeadams1985
25-09-06, 21:29
thx - didnt even see that section :)
dan-the-man
25-09-06, 21:55
Moved by me and your other thread containing link removed :)
mikeadams1985
25-09-06, 22:19
cheers ears :)
how about some advise people :)
the g.f's told me 'dont buy one, it will only break' :(
I use an Aquatronica and am absolutely delighted with it.
Controls everything on my tank.
The big bonus is new products are on the way and it is always being improved upon.
instantsquid
25-09-06, 22:27
There have been many threads on this subject. Personally I'm another Aquatronica fan. In addition to what jobr says, the after-sales service and support is absolutely second to none.
- Ian
have not used one for long but IKS for me.
mikeadams1985
25-09-06, 22:28
the thing that sold it to me, is the SMS thats due out for it. :)
Am i right in thinking that there is only one 'Aquatronica computer' out, and not diffrent ones.
I dont wanna buy the computer and find out ive bought an old version that doesnt support certain plugs or what ever.
ALso, the plug bars, DO they have screw sockets on the bag so i hang it from the wall?
instantsquid
25-09-06, 22:32
Mike,
Yes - there is only one Aquatronica tank computer. And it runs it's own software internally, which means that new features can be added by downloading updated software from the Aquatronica website, as they become available.
The plug bars come with two little metal straps to fix them to whatever is behind them. If it's the inside of a cabinet you can screw them straight to that. If it's a brick wall (like mine is) you'd be better off screwing a strip of wood to the wall and then fixing the plugbars to that.
If you have a look at my tank build thread here - http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=171889&page=4
Scroll nearly to the bottom of the page and you'll see one of my plugbars mounted on the wall.
- Ian
mikeadams1985
25-09-06, 22:38
Well thats my first problem.
I have one set of sockets aqbove the tank in the hanging light rig.
and one set of sockets in the cabinet below.
How long is the cable on the plug bars?
At the moment i dont really have a need for the aquatronica, its just something id really like to have, specially since i had some spare cash.
I assume it has tempertature control?
Workin something like this.
Program temperature range from say... 25-27*c
If temp rises above 27, I can program it to
1.-turn on X plug which has a fan plugged into it?
and / or
2.-turn off x plug that has heater on.
?
instantsquid
25-09-06, 23:07
The cable from the Aquatronica to the first plugbar is certainly several metres - I can't remember exactly but I do recall having to tidy up a LOT of spare cable!
However, even if that's not long enough, subsequent plugbars are daisy-chained off the first using standard USB to USB cables. So you can have that as long as you like (within reason).
As for what it'll do - why not check out the Aquatronica website? www.aquatronica.com (http://www.aquatronica.com) Basically, anything that can be measured can be used to turn any number of sockets (up to 60!) on or off, based on a reference value that you specify, and the maximum and minimum tolerances that you specify. In addition, it has a built-in calendar and clock, so timing operations can be set up at whatever interval you choose. And of course, a combination of both can also be programmed - eg. does Kalk between 10pm and 8am, but only if my pH is below 8.2.
Hope that helps you make your mind up! :D
- Ian
I ran an iks pro on my previous reef, I had some issues with the iks (4 units!) there has been a lack of continued products being devolped for the iks, I decided to ditch the iks for my current build as I was concerned about relying on the iks to run important tasks. That said having looked into the aquatronica and can see myself getting interested!!!!!!!!!!:D
mikeadams1985
26-09-06, 08:22
aquatronica it is then :D
will somehow have to get it without the g/f knowing.
where is best to get it? Price wise :D
Id be after
computer.
plug bar
ph kit
temperature and level sensor kit
PC interface kit.
what sort of price should i be looking at?
any sponsors stock this?
Have a look on STM's site, they had a special on a few weeks back may still be current.
instantsquid
26-09-06, 09:12
I got mine from CGA (another sponsor), but STM, UDA, WA all stock it. I don't think you'll get much movement on the price to be honest, but it's worth a shot!
- Ian
Cant remeber a name, but a UR member is currently developing something like this if im right?
As per my signature, if you require any info pm me.
I got mine from CGA (another sponsor), but STM, UDA, WA all stock it. I don't think you'll get much movement on the price to be honest, but it's worth a shot!
- Ian
Only way to buy it cheaper seems to be to import from europe.....as is often the way having just bought a camera and laser printer from pixmania comlete with french instructions :D
Should add- not suggesting you do that....just sticking the infomation up.
bonjour!
Not sure our EU friends will be available quite as often as the UK guys who give advice seemingly 24/7.
quite true, but...for example....if you want an interface and have bought the main unit here - how much advice do you need on that? or a new probe?
and with the internet (and sites like this) is advice hard to find anyway?
instantsquid
27-09-06, 10:45
Advice is one thing, replacement of parts is quite another. If a component were to fail, how likely would an overseas supplier be to send out a new part and offer to collect the old one next time they're in the area? :p
- Ian
easy there boys!
you are all quite right.....if you want to ensure great service and new bits when parts fail by in the UK.
my only point was that if you felt service/advice was avalible here and you were confident the stuff wont break (should it be expected to fail?) then buying in the EU is cheaper.
Its no different to buying 2nd hand, pay less - less back up. Only with the EU stuff you still get brand new (and in many cases the service is FAR better than UK suppliers....although i appreciate perhpas not with this product)
instantsquid
27-09-06, 11:03
lol - us Aquatronica owners are a passionate bunch! :D
"You dissing my 'puter?? Are ya?? Are ya???"
;)
lol - us Aquatronica owners are a passionate bunch! :D
"You dissing my 'puter?? Are ya?? Are ya???"
;)
:D:D:D:D
lol - us Aquatronica owners are a passionate bunch! :D
really? you'd never guess ;)
add to that being an UR member which seems to require a hightened level of emotional over reaction not best suited to the internet and THEN add in being a marine fish keep which is the aquatic version of those people that live up trees, dont wash and complain about new roads.............and you have passion aplenty :D
mikeadams1985
27-09-06, 18:45
hmmm, I realy want the aquatronica :(
i e-mailed them askin if they could post me some information on it, brochoures, info leafelets, etc etc, And my reply started with
"if you spend five min having a look at our web site www.aquatronica.com, there you can find details"
which to me, isnt the best way to start an e-mail to someone who is looking to spend hundreds of pounds on there product.
A simple, "sorry, butwe dont have anything to post out, but you can find..."
hmmmm.
might still get it, but at the moment no real need for it.
Hi Mike,
you need to ask the UK distributor, they have the UK manuals, leaflets etc.
That, by the way, is me!
Just PM me your details.
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