The idea controller?

[dylpik27]

I'm looking for some advice and some answers. A week ago I posted looking for a dosing pump that would dose calc, alk, and mag because I'm going on a vacation (and I've wanted one for awhile anyway). Most people suggested getting a controller and dosing pumps without "brains," like the BRS pumps, because I would end up getting the same 3-part dosing system and for just a little more, everything a controller offers. That made a lot of sense to me. So now I'm bent on getting a controller, but don't see the point in getting one that doesn't have internet connection (part of the reason I want it is to monitor/control when I'm away). So I guess my questions are:
Is the Apex Jr my best bet?
Does it have wireless? or am I going to have to run a 30-ft ethernet cable to my tank?
Right now, I want to control my light, skimmer, main pump, heater, and 3 dosing pumps. Is my best bet/cheapest option to get the Jr and then an energy bar 8? (I really don't need the pH probe for anything right now).
Last, I haven't been a paying member for a long time but I have run across a few threads that mention discount ARC members get a various retailers. Does anyone know where I should order an Apex Jr from (lowest costs)?
Thanks for any and all advice - and I'm open to any other ideas, as well.
I mainly want to control dosing, my lights, and heater, but know I will upgrade tanks soon so I want to keep my future options open.

 

[dylpik27]

The title is supposed to say "ideal" but I can't figure out how to change it. One more question if anyone is out there: can the aquacontroller 3 do everything I'm looking to do? Mainly, can it connect to the internet and be controlled my a computer or smart phone? Thanks!

 

[snowmansnow]

i NEED an idea controller

Edit: the Apex is a great unit. The RKL / RKE is also a great unit. I believe the Apex with a net module (or whatever they call it) will let you control specific variables, while I THINK, the RK mods will let you only monitor them.. .which is still useful IMO.
B

There are other options out there... but the Apex and the RK are the most popular. Of the two the Apex probably wins out in popularity here... were I would bet the RK wins out nation wide (just guessing)

 

[rdnelson]

I have an idea controller. I call her my wife. hehehehehehe

 

[fidofence]

That controller only does what she wants to

 

[dylpik27]

hahahaha ya I have an idea controller already - and one is all I can handle! I was actually wondering if the neptune aquacontroller 3 allows you to control from the internet like the Apex does. I know someone getting rid of a 3 for a very fair price.

Also, I read something that said dosing pumps can only be plugged into specific sockets within the energy bars. Is that true, or can I plug 3 dosing pumps into any of the 8 sockets of an EB8?

Thanks

 

[djatl]

I have an Apex, and really like it. To go wireless, I had to plug it into a Wireless Gaming Adapter. Unfortunately, my office where the internet access is wired is on another floor. It works pretty well, but I'd prefer to be hardwired if I could. I'm also regretting not getting the Wireless Adapter with more than one connection. I'd love to set up a wireless camera as well.

Regarding dosing pumps, low power usage devices like a dosing pump can only be used sockets 4 & 8 on an Energy Bar 8, those are the mechanically switched outlets. I recently sprung for another EB8 because I needed extra slots for 2 dosing pumps. The other 6 slots have mostly found a use already. Another option if you need more than 2 mechanical outlets is the Energy Bar 4 which has 4 of them, but nothing else.

Hope that helps.

 

[dylpik27]

That helps a lot, thank you. I want to control my heater, lights, skimmer, and 3 dosing pumps. If I stuck with 2 dosing pumps, would an EB8 work for me? Or would one of the other things I want to control need a mechanically switched outlet as well?

 

[djatl]

The danger with an underpowered device on the other outlets is that they might not switch off. I've never had a problem with running a return pump, skimmer pump, heater, or lights. My ATO pump (an aqualifter) didn't shut off, so it's using a mechanical outlet.

 

[dylpik27]

djatl;818948 wrote: The danger with an underpowered device on the other outlets is that they might not switch off. I've never had a problem with running a return pump, skimmer pump, heater, or lights. My ATO pump (an aqualifter) didn't shut off, so it's using a mechanical outlet.

I need to look into that as well. I just tried to set up my ato and it drained my res. Big problem. I'm not sure what type I have but it has a 12v transformer that the float setup and pump connects to. I tested to make sure it shuts off the pump when the float "is up" but I guess it can fail to at times? That is, if I don't plug it into a mechanical outlet?

 

[kilralpine]

For the price of the jr + EB8 I would likely just go ahead and get the Apex Lite and be done with it . The apex is great and there is NOTHING that it cant do; highly expandable. The apex can be done through wireless if im not mistaken with just a USB wifi dongle.

 

[dylpik27]

I'm currently looking at a used (but in good condition) aquacontroller 3 with an EB8 right now. It seems to offer everything I'm looking for. However, I didn't know dosing pumps could only be plugged into sockets 4 and 8. Also, I'm not lost as to what I need to do with my auto top off. It was given to me, and seems to just be a float setup that connects to a 12v transformer that also connects to the pump. From what I understand, I now need to make sure my transformer is plugged into a relay socket? I'm getting in over my head now lol.

 

[kilralpine]

Basically all the ATO setup does is uses that float switch and when its water level is low flips the other circuit on, the only thing the controller will do is give u the ability to enable or disable it. The only way to have the controller judge when to flip the pump on and off is to unwire your float switch and wire it to a break out box addon for apex's.

 

[dylpik27]

I initially did not want to control my ato with the controller, but after doing some research over the net, I got the impression that my ato will not properly shut off the pump unless I plug it into a specific relay socket? I'm pretty clueless about this. I know that the float works - when it's up, the pump shuts off. But I read that I'm running a risk that it won't shut off one time because it's not plugged into a relay? I would rather just plug my ato transformer into the wall and control everything else (including BRS dosing pumps) with the aquacontroller 3.

 

[kilralpine]

If your ATO setup has 2 power plugs, 1 for the switch itself, and one for the power of the pump, plug the one that powers the pump to the apex, and leave your float switch's circuit plugged to the wall. That way the apex has NO control over the ATO relay itself and therefore cant accidentally fake your ATO unit into thinking the float switch is down somehow. I know it IS possible for the apex (i think older versions) to interfere with relay setups, but ive yet to have an issue with mine. If you would like to use your ATO with the apex I would just recommend setting it up in a manner where first the float switch says its ok to open the relay and add water; at this point the apex either A has that outlet enabled (which lets the pump run) or B denies the ATO power to the pump incase I have it disabled for some reason or another.

 

[dylpik27]

I appreciate all your help, so please hang in there with me. I would prefer my ato run independent to my controller. My problem is I don't know what kind of ato I have or if it has a relay. I obtained it with a used aquarium. It simply has a float switch setup that mounts in my sump and has a wire that runs to what I believe is just a 12v transformer. Then, the transformer has what looks like an AC socket that a small pump plugs into. I understand the basic: pump in res, float switch tells transformer whether to turn pump on or off. I just set it up and it seems to work fine. However, I don't think it has a relay and I'm concerned it will fail to shut the pump off one time. My res drained a few nights ago, but I thought I has a syphon problem and fixed that. It ran fine for a couple more days but I have since disconnected it after reading that it could be failing to turn my pump off. I'm unsure how, but I need to determine if I have a complete and adequate ato system and I would be happy to run it separate from a controller.

 

[dylpik27]

Yet another question:
If I wanted to control 3 dosing pumps with an EB8, could I plug one into socket 4 and plug a double-plug extension into plug 8. This way, plug 8 would dose both calc and alk (they dose the same amount so I would need them to run for the same amount of time per day anyway).

 

[djatl]

I have my ato plugged into my apex, with a float switch wired to the io breakout box (extra component). However, it's only scheduled to run for 1 minute every hour. That way it won't overflow the sump if it gets stuck on.

Regarding dosing, I alternate alk and calc every 30 minutes. I think they're likely to react if you dose at same time.

 

[camellia]

+1 on dosing alk and calc separately due to reaction

 

[dylpik27]

Very true. I'll need to dose calc and alk at different intervals - and dosing alk when the lights are off is probably best to maintain pH. Maybe I'll just use dosing pumps for my alk and calc and dose my mag manually until I can spring from another EB8 or EB4.
As for my ato, I'm relentlessly reading online and it is possible that what I am calling a transformer is really the relay. Still not sure. I know that the float switch is directly wired to it, and the pump plugs into it (through a small circular connection that looks like a AC socket). Maybe that device (what I'm calling a transformer), is the relay?? Still need to read on I suppose. Sucks I'm so electronically illiterate.