Can you use controllers without chillers?

[spaulr]

I would get the serial port just for upgradability. Firmware releases come out sooner or later. Being a software developer, this is a feature I would definitely get.

You laptop probably has USB or USB2 ports right? For $10-15 you can buy a USB to Serial adapter. We use them at work all the time and they work great.

I believe the Neptune Jr. can log data internally for 12 hours or so depending on what you have the logging speed set to (every 5 minutes, 20 minutes, etc). I think you can view the data on the JR, but I'm not sure about that.

The Neptune III can connect directly to the internet so you can log into it. The Neptune JR would have to be connected to a PC which in turn was connected to the internet. You could then "log into" your PC externally and access controls that way. A cool feature if you were going to be away for a while.


PH probes are about $45. They only last 1-2 years though and then need to be replaced.

 

[bleedingthought]

Could the neptune jr be directly connected to a wireless router by means of a ethernet cable somehow? And in turn be connected to a computer/internet through the router?

 

[spaulr]

I don't think so. That's the big feature of the III or III pro.

Here's the link to Neptune's website for the JR.

http://www.neptunesys.com/aquaControllerJr.htm

I'm pretty sure the JR needs to be directly connected to a PC in order to use aquanotes (SW for data logging and external control). The reason the Neptune III or III pro costs so much is because it has an Ethernet controller (hence its own MAC address and identity) built into it making it totally stand alone. Internet connection is all that is required. I assume it has a log in and password as well.

Len might know more about it though...I think he has a III.

 

[Len]

I have the III but don't use its ethernet yet. I really should run my DSL line over to it, or get some wireless adapter. Been too lazy

 

[bleedingthought]

Hmm, more to ponder. Thanks for all the info and the link, spaulr! After thinking about it, I guess I could run one of the USB adapters you spoke of, and then a USB cable all the way to my computer...

 

[spaulr]

No problem. I just went through this whole thing. I started looking for a temp controller only, then realized that good ones are ~$125 and started looking at other features.

I only have a 50 gallon, so getting the $410 Neptune III (while a nice product don't get me wrong) seemed like overkill and overpriced for my needs. The JR. and RK II have really good feature sets for the money. My stand cleaned up a ton because of it.

If you do get the Neptune JR, you can set it up to log data (and be saved on the controller, then just use your laptop each day or night to download and view the data.

The RK II, unfortunately, can not do data logging (on the controller iteself), it needs to be connected to a PC and performs "real time" logging. This is the biggest downfall of the unit. Considering that FLASH or EEPROM memory devices are so cheap I'm surprised they didn't go that way. My girlfriend would have killed me and fed me to the fish if I put a noise PC next to the tank. :lol"

Anyhow, good luck and let us know what you do.... :lol:

 

[bleedingthought]

Yeah, I started off just wanting something that would be there in case my heaters went crazy, and now I'm looking at turning off my lights when I'm in a different state!!! :lol:

I'm planning a 180G upgrade from my 75G and I'm just figuring in everything that I want for it but I'm at about $4000 at the moment for everything which is WAY more than I wanted to spend. 8O :lol: I am probably just going to get the basics first (tank, stand, canopy, and an auto top-off) and keep whatever else I have and that will set me back only about $1000. And then upgrade the rest as time goes on and I have $3000 more. (sequence dart on a 4 way oceans motions wavemaker closed loop, 3 400W MH with lumenarc reflectors, panworld 100PX-X return pump, a new RO/DI unit from buckeye, and the controller (probably the AC Jr.) ) That should make for a nice little setup. :wink:

 

[bleedingthought]

No problem. I just went through this whole thing. I started looking for a temp controller only, then realized that good ones are ~$125 and started looking at other features.

I only have a 50 gallon, so getting the $410 Neptune III (while a nice product don't get me wrong) seemed like overkill and overpriced for my needs. The JR. and RK II have really good feature sets for the money. My stand cleaned up a ton because of it.

If you do get the Neptune JR, you can set it up to log data (and be saved on the controller, then just use your laptop each day or night to download and view the data.

The RK II, unfortunately, can not do data logging (on the controller iteself), it needs to be connected to a PC and performs "real time" logging. This is the biggest downfall of the unit. Considering that FLASH or EEPROM memory devices are so cheap I'm surprised they didn't go that way. My girlfriend would have killed me and fed me to the fish if I put a noise PC next to the tank. :lol"

Anyhow, good luck and let us know what you do.... :lol:

Which one did you end up going with?

So, I'm still confused. At the end of the day, if they're both connected to a computer, what is the difference between the two? They both log data on the computer, they both control ph and temp by controlling various devices, and they both help make things easier.

For comparisson purposes, these are the two I was comparing:

http://www.reefgeek.com/equipment/Contr ... ne_Systems

http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.m ... efkeeper-2

 

[spaulr]

I ended up getting an RKII. When I was looking the Neptune JR. was not firmware upgradable. This is a recent feature, it used to be a $30-40 upcharge and special order for the DC8 connection and firmware upgradability. Not to mention that those units were hard to find. It looks like Neptune has also reduced the price of their unit. They used to cost the same. The RKII was also the only one with the cool blue LCD display, again neptune did that as well.

With Neptunes recent changes I'd say they are pretty much the same if both are connected to the computer, and since the Neptune is cheaper I'd now go with that model.

Differences I can see.

Neptune:
1. Logs data on the unit (no PC needed)
2. Power strip doesn't have wall wort spots
3. Now $20 cheaper
4. Available

RKII:
1. Needs PC for logging.
2. Does have wall wort. on power strip
3. Backordered - for a bit from reading RC posts

One thing I would check on. For me, it would be nice to have a PH contoller for my Ca reactor (mostly for safety), and a PH monitor for the tank. The RKII only has 1 pH probe port and they're not planning on expanding it - I've asked. I know Neptune makes an expansion box for this very feature, but don't know if it's supported on the Jr. If I'd thought ahead this would have been the kicker for me.

I'm sure I've just confused the hell out of you and not helped a damn bit. :lol: Sorry for the gigantic post.

 

[bleedingthought]

What is a wall wort?

Ok, here's the deal. A local supplier (the one above - Aquabuys) is having a deal where if you buy the RK2 for $269 you get a free PH probe with it along with 4 packs of calibration fluid and free shipping. From reefgeek.com, the AC JR with the dc8, a std ph probe, a temp probe, and the serial port is $289 with free shipping. From what I can see, and correct me if I'm wrong, the RK2 already comes with the DC (which is just a controllable power strip, right?), a temp probe, and built-in serial port. Am I right?

So, technically the RK2 would be 20 bucks cheaper, for the same thing?

Now, considering that, what's the better 'deal'?

 

[spaulr]

Wall worts are the big DC converters typically for fans, chargers, etc.

If that's the case I'd get the RKII. That's a damn good deal. I bought the ph probe later on - $40 + 2 calibration packets. :evil:

That being said, I would still check on the multuple pH ports from Neptune to see if that is supported for the Jr. It would be really nice NOT to rely on a test kit for tank pH which can be, as we all know, slightly or very innacurate. If the JR supports the extra module, for me anyhow, it'd be worth the extra money.

You're gonna be stoked either way! Let me know what you do.

 

[bleedingthought]

According to the neptune systems website, it only works with the ACIII or the ACIIIPRO.

One thing, though, is that the ACIII is 300 bucks more. The extention port is 175 bucks. So, I think it'd be easier/def. cheaper to just buy a PH monitor for the tank and use the PH probe from either controller on a Ca Reactor. Don't you agree?

So, we've come to the conclusion that the RK2 and the AC Jr are basically the same and therefore the cheaper is the better deal?

Anyone can chime in on our 2-way conversation?

 

[bleedingthought]

Ok, so I e-mailed Neptune about the probe extention working on the Jr and this what I got in response:

The Jr. doesn’t have the appropriate connector for probe expansion. It will have, however, support the new control hardware in development.



Curt

Not exactly sure what that means but if I had to guess, the current probe extention does not work with the Jr but they're working on one that will.

 

[spaulr]

That's what it sounds like to me.