Monitoring parameters over time

pkirby · 04/07/2012, 07:51 PM

I would like the ability to monitor parameters over time... Mainly temp and ph... The Lifeguard from digital aquatics would do this, but do controllers such as the RKL keep these stats? It seems like RKL just shows you what it is at that moment....

Also, I won't be able to have it plugged into the network all the time, so I'd want the data logged to the device and not somewhere else.

Advice?

Sk8r · 04/07/2012, 08:05 PM

Actually, ph is not as important as alkalinity in a marine tank.
You don't say what you're keeping, but if stony coral, you need alk, calcium and magnesium, and if your mg tests ok then the other two are ok, IF you're adding supplement. There are monitoring systems to be had. There are also dosing systems that you can get that maintain levels.

Jocko · 04/09/2012, 07:19 AM

LOL. So anyhow, to answer the question, yes pretty much every controller logs their probe readings and will display graphs on their web interfaces/mobile apps. This includes the reef keepers and the apex's.

And for what it's worth, once your system has been running for a while and you've got your dosing and other things stabilized, you'd be surprised how well the pH reading can be for tipping you off if something is getting out of whack with alkalinity. Of course you should still actually test everything once in a while, but once you're familiar with your tank it's easy to tell what's up. The main thing is as your corals grow, consumption will increase and you'll need to increase your dosing. But for those times when you're too busy and you forget to test for a while, happening to notice the pH reading on the display looking a little low can be the kick in the butt that you need.

04/07/2012, 07:51 PM	#1
pkirby Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 408	Monitoring parameters over time I would like the ability to monitor parameters over time... Mainly temp and ph... The Lifeguard from digital aquatics would do this, but do controllers such as the RKL keep these stats? It seems like RKL just shows you what it is at that moment.... Also, I won't be able to have it plugged into the network all the time, so I'd want the data logged to the device and not somewhere else. Advice?

04/07/2012, 08:05 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Actually, ph is not as important as alkalinity in a marine tank. You don't say what you're keeping, but if stony coral, you need alk, calcium and magnesium, and if your mg tests ok then the other two are ok, IF you're adding supplement. There are monitoring systems to be had. There are also dosing systems that you can get that maintain levels. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/09/2012, 07:19 AM	#3
Jocko Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 595	LOL. So anyhow, to answer the question, yes pretty much every controller logs their probe readings and will display graphs on their web interfaces/mobile apps. This includes the reef keepers and the apex's. And for what it's worth, once your system has been running for a while and you've got your dosing and other things stabilized, you'd be surprised how well the pH reading can be for tipping you off if something is getting out of whack with alkalinity. Of course you should still actually test everything once in a while, but once you're familiar with your tank it's easy to tell what's up. The main thing is as your corals grow, consumption will increase and you'll need to increase your dosing. But for those times when you're too busy and you forget to test for a while, happening to notice the pH reading on the display looking a little low can be the kick in the butt that you need.