AquaController Jr.

[LoneStar]

I'm looking into aquarium controllers again and I need a little feedback on anyone who has used the Aqua Controller Jr. or any Neptune Systems controllers on the market. I do not need all the bells and whistles though. Basically what I'm looking for is this:

* Light timing (for halides and vhos)
* pH monitoring and controlling for a calcium reactor
* temp monitoring
* heater controll
* chiller controll
* data logging

The powerheads will be controlled through their own respective drivers so I do not need any wave making features. I'm don't really care about hooking it up to a computer to monitor the changes throughout the day. The Jr. says it can data log so I can just read it off of there if I need to know any fluctuations. The only thing I would do is get the Jr. with the serial port so I can update the firmware.

The unit I'm looking at getting is the Aqua Controller Jr. with temp probe and a DC8. Not too keen on using the X10 features.

http://www.marinedepot.com/IMD/150/NS1165.jpg
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=NS1165

I like the use of all in one controllers vs timers and individual monitors/controllers. I've had a Premium Aquatics Lighthouse Controller. That thing worked great but its not too upgradable. So if anyone has bought...used...hated...loved....any Neptune Systems controllers, please let me know. I'm all ears :)

[Bill S]

Personally, I hate my ACII. You really need everything you control to be on the same outlet. Filters are generally necessary for VHO and MH lights. And, the genius that designed them put all plugs at 90 degree angles, so when you hook a controller and a filter up together, you get a 180 degree turn - try plugging THAT in. About the ONLY thing I use it for that timers wouldn't work for is fan and/or chiller control. Turning on all lights, like when you have guests over, is a royal pain. Oh, and I've never been able to get the software to work.

[LoneStar]

Is the ACII just the older version of the ACIII? I've never really kept up with the product line of Neptune Systems. Are the filters mainly to filter out noise for electronic or magnet ballasts? Or is this just when you use the Aqua Controller with the X10 option? I'll be using the DC8 (Direct Connect) option, so I should not have any issues with line noise from ballasts on the plugs.

Thanks for the info on your experience Bill :)

I know more people have used these in the past. We need more than 33 views on this thread! :innocent

[Texreefer]

i have the Jr. arriving today from marine depot but i'm sending it back because i mistakenly got the one without the serial port to hook it to my computer so i will have to wait anither 10 days to get mine up and running.. as far as functionality these look to be up there with the best

[Bill S]

Wow. I didn't know about the Direct Connect. That, effectively, doubles the cost, but PROBABLY worth it. I wish I had known about them...

BTW, I keep a flashlight near mine - I'd kill for a backlight.

[Texreefer]

if i knew you wanted it earlier i would have jsut sold you this one unopened when i received it today and bought the other one... as of now i'm having to send it back

[LoneStar]

Wow. I didn't know about the Direct Connect. That, effectively, doubles the cost, but PROBABLY worth it. I wish I had known about them...

BTW, I keep a flashlight near mine - I'd kill for a backlight.

Well it looks like all the new AC Jr.'s are backlit now. I've heard conflicting issues with the X10 controlls, so I'm all over the Direct Connect option. The Lighthouse Controller I have uses a powerstrip that is hardwired to the unit for controlling each outlet. The Direct Connect on the Jr. seems to work the same way.

You can get a Direct Connect 8 outlet in a package with the backlit Jr. and temp probe, and serial port for $279.99. The only other expense would be a pH probe.

The base unit for the Jr. without a Direct Connect is $149.99

The base unit with DC8, temp probe, without a serial port is $249.99

Here are the Direct Connect units Bill:
DC-4 $129.99
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=NS3351
http://www.marinedepot.com/IMD/150/NS3351.jpg

DC-8 $179.99
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=NS3353
http://www.marinedepot.com/IMD/150/NS3353.jpg

[z28pwr]

Mike, I have the ACJR with the backlight and the serial port add on and I LOVE IT. It's great, it controls my lights, fans and heaters and does a good job at it. At the time I bought it Neptune Systems had a bundle of the ACJR with the DC8. I've never used the DC8 since I haven't had any interference issues with the X10 Signal (knock on wood).

[LoneStar]

Sounds good Jose.

Has anyone used it with a chiller? Not sure if I am going to use one on my next setup but would like the option of being able to controll it (if the chiller does not come with a controller itself)

[Texreefer]

i will be adding my chiller to it and selling the individual controller i have for the chiller

[hobogato]

i am running the aquacontroller II just to monitor pH, controll ozone (ORP), and controll my heaters and chiller. i like having individual timers on the lights so i can turn them on and off at will easily.

i am a little leary of having it control my calcium reactor - x10 issues make me nervous :)

[LoneStar]

So is the Aqua Controller II just an outdated version of the current Aqua Controller III? I haven't seen the II online for sale but I could have missed it. The Jr. seems to do everything I'm looking for.



i am a little leary of having it control my calcium reactor - x10 issues make me nervous


The CO2 will be connected to one of the Direct Connections....so not even using the x10. Hopefully there is no issues with the Direct Connections since they are not affected by AC line noise :unsure

[Bill S]

Even with filters, occasionally, one of my lights will cycle. FUN in the middle of the night (in our master bedroom). I use it for heat (this is double protected, as the heater also has a controller) and for my fans. Ca Reactor? Wow. That would make me pause... But, my reactor is on all of the time anyway - but I'm not running the heck out of it either. I SURE wish there was an easy way to manually turn all of my lights on...

[z28pwr]

The ACII has been discontinued. They still have the ACJR with DC8 bundle on their website.