Aquacontroller Review
By Stanley D. Brown
Marine Fish Monthly
November 1996 (Vol. 11 - No. 10)
It has been a while! Much has happened since the last installment. As I recall I promised a look at "my" aquariums; however, judging that my aquariums are not all that I have opted to take the "author's option" to change directions. Besides (I rationalize) there are lot's of other discussions about this aquarium and that aquarium. If this decision disappoints anyone I do apologize.
In the past 5 years of submitting articles to Marine Fish Monthly under the column headings of Fishing and the Aquarium Scientist I have avoided making any mention of specific products. This was based on a concern that any mention of "product X" is best...I am not a testing lab. Why I use the products I use is sometimes based on the results of research and investigation, sometimes that's what was on sale at the local retailer when I happened to need one, sometimes it has been the result of impulse buying, and still other times may be something I received as a birthday or Christmas gift (yes, "fish stuff" figures heavily on my list to Santa!)...(and my wife thinks I'm hard to buy for!)
Well, all prior concerns aside, I'm going to "plug" a couple of "products". Before I start I would like to state:
The author has not in the past, does not presently (nor have plans for the future) have any commercial interests in the following mentioned products, nor were the products solicited by any representative of the product in exchange for favorable review.
The AquaController unit itself is very compact, measuring roughly 5 3/4 inches wide by 3 3/8 inches tall and 1 1/2 inches thick. A 9 volt battery provides "back-up" power for the clock and a compact plug in "battery adapter" provides the normal operating power requirements. The base unit has a suggested list price of $299.00, about the same as a modest lighting system. The control of lights, pumps and power heads, chillers, solenoids, and anything else your imagination can muster is through programmable control modules which plug into the wall. The controlled device then plugs into the module. The module is programmed using the AquaController and interface hardware adds $34.95 to the cost of the unit (from Neptune Systems) and the modules are available in several configurations (including 220 volt) from either Neptune Systems ($23.95 to $44.25) for the 220 volt unit) or I am told from Radio Shack.
The temperature, pH, and ORP monitoring require "probes" and the AquaController is designed with a built in calibration program. ORP and pH probes have standard BNC connectors meaning that the AquaController will work with a variety of probes. The temperature probe connects via a tiny plug (similar to a headphone). The AquaController is also capable of logging data which can be downloaded into a personal computer (IBM or Macintosh!) meaning you can plot graphs to see just how conditions change in your system.
The "Owners Manual" is actually pretty easy to read and understand, unlike many computer software manuals which seem to assume you already know what the heck they're talking about! If you want random "wavemakers" Done! A lunar cycle? Done! Kalkwasser dosing with pH limits? Done!! Heater and chiller control at the same time??? Done!!! I'm impressed (obviously)! Up to now computerized control typically represented an investment in four figures or a very good knowledge of computer programming to convert an older PC coupled with some electronic experience.
Will the AquaController solve all of your problems? No, but it is more reliable than the human memory. If you want lighting, pumping, temperature, and pH aspects monitored and/or controlled this unit will accurately and efficiently handle the task. Did I mention it will make photo-periods and temperatures change with the time of the year? In keeping with my balanced logic for criticism my only complaint is when will there be a AquaController on the market that will clean the glass!