tank monitoring technology

does anyone know if there is some type of monitoring system that will be able to monitor my tank while i am away?
Ideally it will send me emails or alerts to my iphone. Sometimes my ATO acts up so I am looking for something that will monitor my water level in my sump as an early warning sign for a problem incase I am away for an extended period of time (few days to a week)

 

Yeah...

Check out the Neptune Systems Apex and Apex Lite controllers.

With the I/O breakout box you can control and interface 6 "switch" devices like liquid level monitoring switches, and water sensors, etc.

Also monitors and can adjust pH, temp, ORP, salinity, etc.

And it has a built in web server as well as the ability to interface with an iphone, and can send text and email messages.

Oh and controls lights, wavemakers, moon lights, and pumps.

 

alright thank you... is this going to cost me an arm and a leg though?

 

more like an arm and 2 legs!;D

 

ahhh all i am worried about is monitoring water levels... anything else you guys can think of?

 

a fish sitter.. I pay big for my fish sitters..

 

the apex is like $500 i think. its pretty awesome, but its very pricey. i know there are RK units that are like $99 but i dont know if they have the capabilities you're looking for.

 

actually just got off the RK site... it is a lot cheaper but still $350 for the email alerts

 

I have the RKL 1, and it doesnt do any of the web based monitoring or controlling, but the more advanced RK model give you more options.

I know the RK does not give you the ability to adjust anything, just viewing is possible right now.

How about a webcam hooked to your laptop if you have those already....that will cost you nothing. Just open up the right ports on your firewall and log into your PC and then you can see the real thing!

 

You can get the Aquacontroller 3 which is cheaper than the Apex and can do the email alerts and water level monitoring. If all you're worried about is your ATO why not just upgrade to a more reliable ATO? It will probably be cheaper than setting up a whole controller system, although a controller will provide you with MUCH more security since it will be able to tell you if your return pump fails while you're gone or if youre heater dies while you're gone as well.