Need suggestions: Remote monitoring with a controller.

[jennm]

I've been asked to obtain and set up a controller for a client, with remote monitoring. I would be doing the monitoring and take any necessary action if occasion arises.

I'll be the first to admit my knowledge in this venue is lacking.

The system in question is often unattended for days at a time (fish are fed with a feeder when nobody is there).

He's got an older RK2 and the bit of research I did suggests this isn't doable with this device, or at the very least, could be done better with a newer device. Right now we have temperature control on the RK2, and the main pump is not on it at all (it was, until a fuse blew in the controller and shut everything off - that wasn't pretty). Now we're at the point where we are starting to stock the tank and we want to avoid something like that happening again, and have real-time monitoring so I can "peek in" from time to time, AND be alerted if a parameter goes out of whack.

Help me out, folks

Jenn

 

[ichthyoid]

Simon Kruger is a whiz at remote monitoring with his controller. He can even do water changes while traveling (of course his sump is larger than many of our tanks too). He gets email notification of problems also, as I recall.

Edit: Check out this recent thread too Jenn.

 

[jennm]

Yeah I've teased him about butt-dialing a water change

Haven't seen Simon in a while...

 

[jennm]

I'm not worried about the computer network end of it - that's what the client does for a living I will just need to tell him what he needs to do in that regard. Scott (my business partner) is a system engineer so between himself and the client I think they'll have that part covered

I am partial to Neptune products also, mainly for the customer service. Any time I've had a question for Curt, he answers me really quickly, and that is important.

So let's assume for the time being that I'll be going with an Apex. What all do I want to be monitoring? pH, ORP, Temperature, right? I will still likely have some mode of flow on a separate outlet (not through the controller) because if we have a failure like before, I don't want all the proverbial eggs in one basket. The client presently has some powerheads on a separate wave timer, and we'll probably leave those like that just in case.

Jenn

 

[gnashty]

bratliff;621060 wrote: For remote monitoring, I think the Apex is probably the best one out there to my knowledge. I've seen more apps/applications that can connect to it and control/monitor. Not saying it can't be done on a RKE (which I use, btw). If I were setting up something like you describe, I'd take a real hard look at the Apex controllers and the applications available. Also, remember that the set up of the home network is going to have a HUGE influence on your ability to remote monitor. Having a static IP, understanding the router's firewall and how to configure it and understanding NATing (Network Address Translation) and how that can affect access are going to be a factor in getting this to work and can also have a cost associated with them (static IP often cost additional from an ISP or there are services that can "simulate" a static IP).

+1

THe RKE has a setting to set it to static but you still need to use a No-ip account or similar to use it properly. Im not good with the networking aspect but can program an RKE on myreef 2.0 from top to bottom in about 30 minutes, let me know if you need help

 

[jef4y]

Apex + webcam. A simple $90 web cam is worth a LOT when it comes down to remote monitoring.

 

[rbredding]

I believe your only option to actually control a system remotely is still Apex, isn't it?
(did the RKE ever work past the "monitoring" to actually being able to turn devices on/off?)

monitor (probes):
Salinity
PH
PH of a Ca reactor
Temp

you'll inadvertently monitor how long each device is ON/OFF by the controller itself..

 

[jennm]

The customer even mentioned a webcam. That's doable too.

Thanks for all the info - I'll show it to Scott so he can speak the right language to the client, and we'll look into getting him an Apex.

Jenn

 

[cr500_af]

Jenn, I think that with an Apex you can monitor and control pretty much everything once you have the web part set up. I assume they have an alarm function similar to ReefKeepers, and in that case you'd need to choose which alarms to set (which would be dependent on how complex the system is. I'd figure temp, pH, and maybe he'd want to add a water sensor in case of a flood).

 

[cr500_af]

Rbredding;621068 wrote: I believe your only option to actually control a system remotely is still Apex, isn't it?
(did the RKE ever work past the "monitoring" to actually being able to turn devices on/off?)

With the 2.0 firmware and running through the MyReef software, yes. You can't change control settings AFAIK, but you can monitor and turn channels on and off.

 

[rbredding]

afaik?

 

[elfloyd]

As far as i know

 

[cr500_af]

Rbredding;621073 wrote: afaik?

Sorry. :blush:

 

[gwhiz]

JeF4y;621064 wrote: Apex + webcam. A simple $90 web cam is worth a LOT when it comes down to remote monitoring.

+1. I just put a standalone IP cam near my tanks to check in while I'm gone. From my Droid I can see that the fish are swimming, the skimmer is working and not full, check the water levels, see that the floor's dry, etc.....

 

[gnashty]

Rbredding;621068 wrote: I believe your only option to actually control a system remotely is still Apex, isn't it?
(did the RKE ever work past the "monitoring" to actually being able to turn devices on/off?)

monitor (probes):
Salinity
PH
PH of a Ca reactor
Temp

you'll inadvertently monitor how long each device is ON/OFF by the controller itself..

RKE can now remotely turn devices on/off via their webpage. I do it from my couch all the time for fun - Havent tried it from outside my home because I havent had the need to.

 

[rbredding]

gotcha.... glad to see that they FINALLY caught up to Neptune Systems.. (back handed complement)