Aquatronica- anyone have any experience?

[Anonymous]

I am looking at the Aquatronica controller/ sensor setup as an option for my system. Does anyone have any experience with them? I am not that interested in the controller function, more in the Ph, Redox and density readings being electronic (read ' easy for a lazy git like me'. If anyone has any thoughts as to the reliability of these electronic readings, please chime in as I'd hate to waste the cash when I could rather be buying more corals...

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you want the aquarium multitester? Pretty neat gadget, and seem to have a nicer interface than most of the common aquarium controller in the hobby.

My generic comments are:
1, do you actually make use of the redox value? Most people just use it with ozone, and does not really need it for most cases.

2, pH and SG needs periodic calibration, and both are prone to biofouling when left in the aquarium for extended amount of time. The accuracy of the reading suffers as a result.

3, (probably not applicable to SA) The sockets on the USA model looks a bit cramped, and may not let you actually make use of all six sockes.

I don't think you will be wasting money, just that you need to weight the cost and benefit and see if it is worth the money consider the amount of utility you get out of it.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input 7E, since I posted the enquiry, I broke down and bought the unit (Yesterday) ... spent some time installing it last night. In answer to the points you made, I got the redox probe as part of a package deal, I dont dose ozone and dont really think I will have much use for it. The ability to graph values going back in time mean that I will be able to see if the redox reading gives any warning about changes in other parameters so I dont think its a total waste of time, but time will tell. I was essentially looking for the multitester function with the unit, but the controller function is really awesome. Prior to yesterday, my lights were running on those cheapo plug-based timers (blueT5s and white T5s) and manually (MHs) Sump lights (T5s) were on 24/7. Now the whole lot are completely automated by a 'real' system. It may not sound that impressive to you guys in the US, but out here in darkest Africa, this is high spec stuff! :lol: I have also (and this is sooo cool!) been able to set my powerheads up to give a wave action.

The PH and SG readings have been calibrated (last night) and- considering how lazy I am- it will be nice to have a regular reading of them, temp also! I am aware of the need to recalibrate regularly and the problems with biofouling, I have put the probes in a dark, high flow area of my sump to minimise the fouling. I have justified the unit to myself on the grounds that i am in the plan-drawing stages of another 400ga tank and I can run both systems off the one unit.

Interesting that you picked up on the plug sockets, it concerned me too! So much so that i bought some slim sized plugs as well yesterday as some of my plugs are pretty bulky. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the original plugs fitted with no problem. The nice folks that made the unit made a special socket setup just for us here in SA! I woulod imagine that the US version will show the same attention to detail. All in all, I am very impressed (early days still though!) The PC interface would be nice too- if it worked! thats been my only problem.