Seneye

[danh]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/seneye-reef-monitor.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/seneye-reef-monitor.html</a>

I learned a lot by watching these YouTube videos. I'm not quite ready to go all out with an apex but thought this would be especially good as I'm setting up my first reef tank. The brs guys seemed to really like this. . Even for the par meter. ..... even though they contradict that statement elsewhere. ....

I figure this would be a better investment than Hanna testers at least for ammonia and ph.

 

[curtismaximus]

I'm curious as well. I was disappointed when I saw you had to pay extra for the par meter or something like that?

 

[danh]

That one like looks like it does temp, ph, ammonia and light.

So the brs video where they talk to the company at Interzoo he didn't seem too interested. In another video an LED manufacturer says that with PAR sensors you get what you pay for.... but then they end up using the Seneye on their tanks. While I really like their videos, in this kind of a case it's hard to tell if they're just trying to sell it or not.

 

[danh]

Does anyone have experience with a cheaper controller like a reef keeper? I don't want to go in $500+ for an apex just yet.

 

[hzheng33]

if you think you might want to have apex down the road, you might as well bite the bullet.

 

[danh]

I'll be doing some more research tonight... Any more suggestions are appreciated.

I've got an ATO (autoaqua smart ato I think) and wavemakers with controllers already. I've currently got a JBJ Pacifica light so I'm not really sure how controllable other than on and off those are from a controller. I guess Ph is a big deal... and Seneye is about the only one that does ammonia too.

 

[civics14]

ReefAngel here - does everything I need it to do from ATO, control my Jebao (changes wave pattern throughout the day), ramp up and down my lights, ph monitor, temp monitor, and it's all open source.

 

[hzheng33]

how often do people actually test for ammonia? maybe I'm wrong but I only test for ammonia after a massive die off or during cycling

 

[danh]

I think you stated the problem with that. You only do it AFTER you have a massive die off. I'd rather know about ammonia starting to show up to avoid a massive die off. Plus I want it for my cycle specifically as well.

 

[danh]

civics14;1084750 wrote: ReefAngel here - does everything I need it to do from ATO, control my Jebao (changes wave pattern throughout the day), ramp up and down my lights, ph monitor, temp monitor, and it's all open source.

Do you know what it can do with lights like I have? Can it really ramp up and ramp down something like that? Turn on and ramp up actinic vs day light and then nights? I guess having something with that capability is still good since I'll have better lights soon.

 

[hzheng33]

Danh;1084753 wrote: I think you stated the problem with that. You only do it AFTER you have a massive die off. I'd rather know about ammonia starting to show up to avoid a massive die off. Plus I want it for my cycle specifically as well.

yeah, but I have seen those cheap stick-on ammonia checkers that don't cost as much.

 

[civics14]

What lights do you have?

Also, I'm with Hui about the ammonia, after I set up my tank and cycled it, I have t looked at ammonia in over a year.

 

[danh]

JBJ Pacifica. I got them used. I'll have to confirm that mine is Wifi... I'm not sure. Mine only has one plug... so I think mine must be older.

http://www.amazon.com/JBJ-Pacifica-Light-Aquarium-108-watt/dp/B00CXUQWNE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463410663&sr=8-1&keywords=jbj+pacifica">Amazon.com : JBJ Pacifica LED Light for Aquarium, 108-watt : Jbj Nano : Pet Supplies@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41DqgtkmyjL.@@AMEPARAM@@41DqgtkmyjL</a>

I agree that ammonia checking is a reaction. I'd just rather not do that. I'd rather avoid the die offs due to ammonia.

 

[hzheng33]

Danh;1084757 wrote: JBJ Pacifica. I got them used.

http://www.amazon.com/JBJ-Pacifica-Light-Aquarium-108-watt/dp/B00CXUQWNE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463410663&sr=8-1&keywords=jbj+pacifica">Amazon.com : JBJ Pacifica LED Light for Aquarium, 108-watt : Jbj Nano : Pet [email]Supplies</a>

I agree that ammonia checking is a reaction. I'd just rather not do that. I'd rather avoid the die offs due to ammonia.[/QUOTE]
when die off starts, there's really no stopping it. you can alleviate the die off a bit by doing massive water change. however if there a plus on seneye, it's the ability to let you know electronically that there is a ammonia spike and huge water change is in order.

 

[Adam]

There could be a future for a Seneye type product that does more monitoring but for right now I view it as an over priced, heavily marketed piece of plastic. Here's the cost break down for one year of ownership, which doesn't include the PC or Mac that needs to be within 15 feet of the point the unit is in the tank or sump. If not you need to buy and extension cable or their webserver with wifi which is another $179.99.

The Unit: $199.99
Par activation: $60
1yr of slides: $131.96 (and every year after, if they don't increase in cost)

So that $391.95 to watch PH, Ammonia and occasionally look at Par. At that price your more than 2/3rds of the way to an Apex with a lab PH probe. If you buy the Seneye and end up getting a Apex later what are you going to do with the Seneye? Sell it for whatever you can get.

 

[hzheng33]

...and the reviews sucks...

 

[danh]

hzheng33;1084755 wrote: yeah, but I have seen those cheap stick-on ammonia checkers that don't cost as much.

Yeah, I have those for ph and ammonia on my 210 FW.. Do most reefers use those?

 

[danh]

anit77;1084759 wrote: There could be a future for a Seneye type product that does more monitoring but for right now I view it as an over priced, heavily marketed piece of plastic. Here's the cost break down for one year of ownership, which doesn't include the PC or Mac that needs to be within 15 feet of the point the unit is in the tank or sump. If not you need to buy and extension cable or their webserver with wifi which is another $179.99.

The Unit: $199.99
Par activation: $60
1yr of slides: $131.96 (and every year after, if they don't increase in cost)

So that $391.95 to watch PH, Ammonia and occasionally look at Par. At that price your more than 2/3rds of the way to an Apex with a lab PH probe. If you buy the Seneye and end up getting a Apex later what are you going to do with the Seneye? Sell it for whatever you can get.

My office right behind my tank so I'm good with that part... but I see what you're saying here. Can you show me the piece that I'd need to buy to get started with the apex, please? Aside from the main unit itself.

 

[danh]

hzheng33;1084758 wrote: when die off starts, there's really no stopping it. you can alleviate the die off a bit by doing massive water change. however if there a plus on seneye, it's the ability to let you know electronically that there is a ammonia spike and huge water change is in order.

If .01 is a spike, then yes. I think constantly monitoring ammonia you catch it before a spike. You find the dead fish or invert or whatever is causing it and get it out. I still see the benefit to watching ammonia constantly --- maybe not so much the cost of the seneye when cost is a deciding factor for me here.

 

[axio]

Honestly if the price of the Apex is the only thing that is making you looking for another option then why not just go with an Apex Jr/Lite? I think that would be a MUCH better route then compromising or going with a new untested product.

Apex Jr. are what like $240-250 right now? You get more for your money and arguably much better and tested quality. And it can be upgraded it slowly to be just about to the same unit as a full Apex system.

Oh I also responded to your question about the EVO light for the spec on AAAA =)

Jakub