Aquatronica question.

[jed]

How many PH probes does a single interface run,i was wondering how many of each i would need to control a calcium reactor and monitor the tank at same time.
thanks
jed:confused:

[wavey]

Just the one, each probe needs its own interface.

[arrows]

could you not have two probes and two interfaces Ian or will this confuse the unit? :confused:

[jed]

So would it best to have two,to monitor tank ph?
this could get very expensive,hhmmm??
thanks
jed

[instantsquid]

You can have as many interfaces as you have sockets for! The Controller is quite happy. BUT you can only have one probe per interface.

[instantsquid]

So would it best to have two,to monitor tank ph?
this could get very expensive,hhmmm??
I have one for my Calcium reactor and one in the tank.
Whoever said this hobby was cheap? :p

[jed]

bump

[instantsquid]

bump
Eh? :confused:

[wavey]

Each plug bar has 6 ports for interfaces, the controller, with the current software, can utilise twenty different inputs, all the same or a mixture.

[jed]

sorry didnt think you would catch it
are they worth the investment, thanks mate!!
I'll have to save for a bit longer.
cheers
jed

[arrows]

jed,

i would say they are worth the money yes and a lot of people use them.

[jed]

thanks, arrows.what can the controller do straight out the box without any
other additions?
i'll have to keep saving then!!
cheers
jed

[jobr]

Go to Aquatronica.com or http://www.itcaquatics.co.uk/

[jed]

thanks for that jobr,i'm still not clear on what sort of things it can do out the box though..
also i want to use it to control a korallin cal reactor,how would i do this?
would the modified top, from STM work with their probe? any ideas?
cheers
jed

[fish_r_friends_bruce]

I was looking into these recently, i think you just get the unit itself, no probes or anything BUT STM do good package deals for just over £300 i think, Give em a call

[instantsquid]

With a plugbar and controller, you can chuck away all your plug-in timers - it'll switch plugs on and off at various times. The basic kit also includes a temperature sensor.

Add a level sensor, and you can use a peri-pump or small powerhead as a top-up pump. You don't need to buy any extra kit - the level sensor tells the controller when to turn the top-up pump on and off.

To control a Calcium reactor, you need a pH probe and interface. The modified top from STM is what you need to install a pH probe inside the reactor. You also need a solenoid valve on your CO2 bottle. The Aquatronica then monitors the pH inside the reactor and turns on the CO2 as required, to maintain the pH value you've set. If you want to only run the reactor some of the time, you can either get the Aquatronica to turn the supply pump to the reactor on and off as required. Or you can set the pH value to different settings for different times of the day.

It's an incredibly flexible piece of kit - and the advantage it has (in my opinion) over some of the other products out there, is that Aquatronica themselves are constantly developing the product range and adding new functionality all the time. The controller itself is able to updated with newer versions of the operating system, downloaded from the Aquatronica website.

Hope that helps a little. :)

[jed]

Thanks instantsquid,thats made few things clearer,but the ph probe from aquatronica looks quite thick,do you know if this will fit in the STM top,
for the Korallin?if not would i need a second chamber of some sort too
measure ph?
cheers jed

[instantsquid]

The STM lid for the Korallin has a gland to take the pH probe - I've used three different makes of probe in mine, including the Aquatronica one. They all fit.

[jed]

Thanks instantsquid,how do you find using this method? does it make it a whole lot easier to keep cal,alk& mag levels stable.Do you have to use 2 part,kalk at any time?
Thanks alot
jed

[instantsquid]

Never used any additives. Used Kalk for a while before the reactor, but not since.