Computer software for controlling monitoring reef?

[Ram_Puppy]

Hey all, after seeing those new ballasts that can be controlled by a pc (see the Group order topic) It occured to me it would be very awesome to be able to sit down to a PC that monitored my PH, Alk, And all other measureable parameters, maybe even controlled dosing.

I know there is stuff out there like the octopus 3000 and what not, but is there say, a terminal that plugs into a USB port, or a PCI add on card for the probes and so on?

A nice visual tracking software with charts and graphs, and maybe an e-mail me if something goes south function would be awesome as well. A cursory search only turns up the typical, was wondering if any of you had seen something like this? surely the larger public aquariums have a software built for this, seems only natural to have a private version of it spin off.

[NaCl_H2O]

I have researched this topic considerably. Mostly the Octopus, etc. is what is readily available. Ther is also This Site, but their stuff is really pricey!

I have opted for X-10 control using the Smarthome USB Powerlinc controller. This gives the programmable capability (timers, and events) for lights & pumps, but no "Monitoring", except a TempLinc I am adding that will let me dim fan speeds based on canopy air temp. I figured if I ever want to "Monitor" I can add an A/D card to my PC and run discrete wiring from probes ... maybe later?

Smarthome is a good source for X-10 stuff.

[wkopplin]

I use the Neptune Systems Aquacontroller that has a program called Aquanotes that does all that. Problem is, I have not seen probes that measure alk. They measure ORP , temp and ph. It graphs it as well so you can see how everything has done. I got the whole Neptune setup for around $350. It is a good setup.

[MikeDeL]

With all the computer controlled stuff out there, I was wondering if there was an automatic dimmer switch you could plug your lights into. That way instead of one light turning off all of a sudden, then the next one and so on, you get a nice gradual fade to black like daylight really is. I think that would be a cool idea.


Mike

[MikeDeL]

Ok, just read the group order post. So much for my good idea. Guess I will have to come up with a new way to get rich.


Mike

[NaCl_H2O]

Mike, there are X-10 controls with dimmer capability. I am using them to control the speed of fans so they are only LOUD when they need to be. In theory these can be used for lights on ballasts too, but I have not tried. Instead I am turning lights on/off one at a time.