Questions about controllers, maybe recommend one???

I bought one timer for $20.00 at the local hardware store and I need two more (lunar, actinics, & 10k) but I am procrastinating. I was kind bothered by how many plug outlets the timer covers in the power strip and the price. By time its all said and done it would be $20 x 3 = $60 (timers) and $8 x 3 = $24 (3 power strips) for a total of $84.00. I have looked into the old school analog timers and yeah they are cheaper but they didn't have the third prong for ground and frankly that are not as cool as the $20.00 digital ones 8). So I have been searching for a all in one device kinda like the coralife ones but with better reliability.

This is when I came across controllers and I am totally geeked up about this but I have some questions? So far I looked at the Reef Keeper Elites and the Aquacontrollers.

1. Will these controllers give me the ability to turn on or off three different lights for designated times?
2. Can I over lap the times for these lights?
3. Can I program through a GUI on computer then upload?
4. Is it worth the extra money to get the pH and saltinity monitor?
5. Can I put a float sensors on the basic models from RKE and AC?
6. Any videos or reviews that show step by step programming?

Any help or recommendations would be appreciated, thanks in advance...Jeff

 

AC jr is a good value for what your lookin to do.... Plus it has lots of other great features besides timers....

Neptune Systems AquaController Jr. Packages

So.... if your lookin for something that you can keep and grow into the ac jr would be somethin to look at. I purchased the apex model cause I was in a similar situation as you but the apex has more to play with than the jr.

1. Will these controllers give me the ability to turn on or off three different lights for designated times?
O yea
2. Can I over lap the times for these lights?
Overlap times??? if you mean have one on at 10 and turn off at 8 while the other turns on at 11 and off at 9.... then yes
3. Can I program through a GUI on computer then upload?
Neptune has software for your computer where you can directly link to your controller and do programming
4. Is it worth the extra money to get the pH and saltinity monitor?
Neptune at the the moment doesnt have a salinity probe.... but yes it is worth the extra money for ph for multiple reasons.
5. Can I put a float sensors on the basic models from RKE and AC?
from what ive read yes
6. Any videos or reviews that show step by step programming?
I wish there was a video for this... I havent found one. But its rather simple

controllers are very useful. I wont look back since Ive gottin mine recently. I packaged up my corlaife timers and have them for emergency situations only. maybe for christmas time ill pull em out for christmas lights

 

I love my ACJR...So many different options, It does so much!! Very nifty gadget...I'm currently trying to figure out how to mount a wireless doohicky to the serial port on the controller and my computer so I don't have to run a cable all the way to it!!

If you plan on being in the hobby for a while, getting a controller helps!! May it be a aquacontroller or a reefkeeper...they all have their pro's and con's. I got the ACJR because of the price...but it still does a great amount!!

 

dont worry Ill be doing the same thing very shortly... im not a huge fan of wireless....good thing my computer is on the other side of the wall.... so drill a hole and pull the cable and connect... 4 feet thats all.

 

Yeah I wish my computer was on the other side of the wall. heh...it's on the other side of the house!! I'll be sure to post on how this whole thing works out!!

 

Yep, thats about what I need to do. Time schedule would be
5:00am Lunar on
7:00am Actinics on
8:00am 10k's on
8:01am Lunar Off
8:59pm Lunar On
9:00pm 10k off
9:30pm Actinic Off
11:00pm Lunar Off

I just want to make sure the outlets where not DPDT contacts or that one is NO while the other is NC kinda thing. Sound like the controller is more like a PLC then anything... Thanks for your help.

 

You could get some of these timers:
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
But yeah, I would go with a controller. PH and temp probe. Salinity probe would be considered a luxury item.

 

thats a long light period... I would shorten it up a lil bit.... But yea.... Thats similar to how I have mine set up.... Pretty much the controller controls each outlet to how you want it to function... theres all sorts of safeties you can incorporate to them too... one for example if temp is over 82 shut off halides for 30 min.

 

The Profilux controller will easily do everything you asked about and then a lot more. I think that it may be a bit pricier though.

 

From what I have been reading its looking like I might get the reef keeper lite level 3... I really like how reef keeper allows you to interface a switch like this one. I see the Neptune has a I/O breakout box also, has anybody got this?