Neptune Systems AquaController Jr. Feedback

mckeec · 06/05/2006, 09:35 AM

Anyone using this controller, what has been your experience? Good or bad purchase?

Capt_Cully · 06/05/2006, 10:24 AM

I got one. Use it pretty much as an expensive timer. I've calibrated the pH 3 times and it still doesn't read right. I've just learned to live with it. I would also recommend the backlight if you do get one. Just my 2cents.

James77 · 06/05/2006, 11:23 AM

use mine also as mostly a timer- good for temp control though

mckeec · 06/05/2006, 11:30 AM

I need a temp control and it looks like for some additional dollars I could get a little more with this controller. I already have a pH controller but would like to eliminate not add. I would also control lights and powerheads. How has the pH control worked for others. Same experience as the Capt?

Shooter7 · 06/05/2006, 11:31 AM

Mine is being used as a light timer, heater controller, temp control with settings to disable the heater at a certain temp, turn on a fan at a certain temp and turn off the lights at a certain temp. Also have my return pump on it so I can program it to turn off during feeding time - haven't done that yet though. Also have a pH probe on it and mine seems to be calibrated ok, so far as I've been able to tell.

mckeec · 06/05/2006, 11:36 AM

Thanks guy/gals. Helpful feedback. Are people using the DC8 or X10 communication?

Shooter7 · 06/05/2006, 11:53 AM

DC8

mckeec · 06/05/2006, 11:56 AM

Shotter 7,

I see you are running two Seio 1500. I am thinking of getting a couple. How do you like them and are they on the controller?

Shooter7 · 06/05/2006, 12:03 PM

I like them. Lots of flow, to the point I had to tune them back some as they were blowing the sand badly in my 120 (had them mounted in the tunze style mod hanging on the back of the tank). Just yesterday I mounted one on one of those new Sure Grip magnets and because I could mount it on the side of the tank now and lower aimed upward, I could open it up full throttle and get the full flow out of it without it messing up my shallow sandbed. Mine are plugged in through the controller, but nothing special being done with them.

mckeec · 06/05/2006, 12:09 PM

My tank is a 100, 48"x16"x24" also with a shallow sandbed. Based on your experience would you say anything bigger than the 1500 is going to be a sand storm? Does the controller turn them off and on for wave motion? According to the Marine Depot running these on a wave timer is not reccomended, but the controller I think has a soft start so may not be an issue.

Shooter7 · 06/05/2006, 12:22 PM

Soft start is not an issue...starting at all is sometimes the problem with these. Not supposed to use these on any sort of a wavemaker. That said, I've had little trouble with these not restarting after cleaning or stopping for other reasons. Sometimes I've had to plug in, unplug, plug back in a couple times for it to kick in and run, but nothing serious. You may be looking at sandstorm with the 1500's if you run them full open, depending on the way you mount them, so yeah, I would think anything bigger would be definite sandstorm.

06/05/2006, 09:35 AM	#1
mckeec Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 302	Neptune Systems AquaController Jr. Feedback Anyone using this controller, what has been your experience? Good or bad purchase?

06/05/2006, 10:24 AM	#2
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	I got one. Use it pretty much as an expensive timer. I've calibrated the pH 3 times and it still doesn't read right. I've just learned to live with it. I would also recommend the backlight if you do get one. Just my 2cents. __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

06/05/2006, 11:23 AM	#3
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	use mine also as mostly a timer- good for temp control though __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

06/05/2006, 11:31 AM	#5
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	Mine is being used as a light timer, heater controller, temp control with settings to disable the heater at a certain temp, turn on a fan at a certain temp and turn off the lights at a certain temp. Also have my return pump on it so I can program it to turn off during feeding time - haven't done that yet though. Also have a pH probe on it and mine seems to be calibrated ok, so far as I've been able to tell. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

06/05/2006, 11:53 AM	#7
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	DC8 __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

06/05/2006, 11:30 AM	#4
mckeec Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 302	I need a temp control and it looks like for some additional dollars I could get a little more with this controller. I already have a pH controller but would like to eliminate not add. I would also control lights and powerheads. How has the pH control worked for others. Same experience as the Capt?

06/05/2006, 11:36 AM	#6
mckeec Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 302	Thanks guy/gals. Helpful feedback. Are people using the DC8 or X10 communication?

06/05/2006, 11:56 AM	#8
mckeec Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 302	Shotter 7, I see you are running two Seio 1500. I am thinking of getting a couple. How do you like them and are they on the controller?

06/05/2006, 12:03 PM	#9
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	I like them. Lots of flow, to the point I had to tune them back some as they were blowing the sand badly in my 120 (had them mounted in the tunze style mod hanging on the back of the tank). Just yesterday I mounted one on one of those new Sure Grip magnets and because I could mount it on the side of the tank now and lower aimed upward, I could open it up full throttle and get the full flow out of it without it messing up my shallow sandbed. Mine are plugged in through the controller, but nothing special being done with them. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

06/05/2006, 12:09 PM	#10
mckeec Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 302	My tank is a 100, 48"x16"x24" also with a shallow sandbed. Based on your experience would you say anything bigger than the 1500 is going to be a sand storm? Does the controller turn them off and on for wave motion? According to the Marine Depot running these on a wave timer is not reccomended, but the controller I think has a soft start so may not be an issue.

06/05/2006, 12:22 PM	#11
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	Soft start is not an issue...starting at all is sometimes the problem with these. Not supposed to use these on any sort of a wavemaker. That said, I've had little trouble with these not restarting after cleaning or stopping for other reasons. Sometimes I've had to plug in, unplug, plug back in a couple times for it to kick in and run, but nothing serious. You may be looking at sandstorm with the 1500's if you run them full open, depending on the way you mount them, so yeah, I would think anything bigger would be definite sandstorm. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return