Maintenance software - Page 2

Whys · 04/16/2009, 03:34 AM

All very cool, but I say again, we need an electronic valve! What's the point of remote utility if I can't control the flow?

Of course, my entire house could burn down and it wouldn't tell me until the floor fell out from under it. Smoke alarms would seem a better place to start.

chris4869 · 04/16/2009, 09:35 AM

I recall there's already an electronic valve for the RO unit, but I'm not sure if that's what you're trying to control. I'm curious as to why you would want to control any type of flow remotely. You will need a trusty sensor to know the current status.

I use good old Excel to keep track all of my records. Ten years ago I would take the time to write a fancy program to track this stuff, but my software engineering skill is really rusty at the moment, and I'm just plain lazy.

I really like your google doc idea. Thanks for the info.

Sisterlimonpot · 04/16/2009, 09:48 AM

You know I have thought about this idea with using an old Xbox to control and monitor a tank in real time kind of like a poor manâ€™s reef keeper2 or ACIII. Seeing that they are somewhat obsolete and people have them just lying around and not to mention cheap at a pawn shop. I know that there is software/hardware to make these into small computers but that is where my intellect ends. To actually use one of these to control a tank would be a great DIY. So if someone has the knowhow. Take this idea and run with it. Just make the technology free for everyone else!!!

Whys · 04/16/2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chris4869
I'm curious as to why you would want to control any type of flow remotely.

One word: check valve.

Tho variable control would be nice, mostly I want to be able to turn my ball-valve completely off in the event of a flood.

Yes, I know, but that's neither here nor there.

Disclaimer: check-valves are NOT recommended because they can fail.

chris4869 · 04/16/2009, 10:10 AM

What about an old laptop? It comes with a screen, keyboard, and possibly a wireless network card or modem too. There's no DIY involved at all, since it's already a computer. I thought about using the modem port to control the AC DC8. The lazy side of me want to get the ACIII and be done with it.

birdz · 04/16/2009, 10:16 AM

I'd love to see an aquarium logging iphone application

Whys · 04/16/2009, 11:16 AM

Your welcome. :]

WaterKeeper · 04/16/2009, 01:37 PM

That pretty much makes that Newbie Corner Log program a needless adventure.

Sisterlimonpot · 04/16/2009, 01:46 PM

where just raising the bar on what a newbie is.

WaterKeeper · 04/16/2009, 02:04 PM

WK, sometimes forgets that you all may be reef newbies but were born computer nerds.

Whys · 04/16/2009, 02:19 PM

'Tis true. I blame introversion.

Waterkeep, did you ever read the upside down message in that photo of you with the upgraded IBM?

oldsaltman · 04/16/2009, 04:55 PM

This may be a little off topic, but does anyone know how to send an automated email? I have my LT connected to my ACjr 24/7 and it will email me if anything goes bad inside the tank. I want to add an automated email to tell me if the house power fails. My LT has a program inside the battery settings that allows me to start or run any program if the LT goes from house current to battery power. How can I send the automated email telling me the power is off?

WaterKeeper · 04/17/2009, 09:45 AM

There are any number of commercial programs but here is a "how to" on setting a system up Using Access to Automate e-Mail Events.

oldsaltman · 04/17/2009, 01:35 PM

Thanks, I finally found that could just write a quick VBScript and it would do just what I wanted. Took 5 minutes after I found figured out what I was doing.

der_wille_zur_macht · 04/17/2009, 02:02 PM

You should all mosey over to the R3CA sub forum in the DIY section on here. People are making good progress on many of the ideas mentioned in this thread.

WaterKeeper · 04/17/2009, 02:51 PM

I didn't even know about that forum! Is it the one where they talk about proportioning band and reset rates?

Whys · 04/17/2009, 03:02 PM

Sometimes I wonder if this hobby is really about fish and corals.

Sisterlimonpot · 04/17/2009, 03:22 PM

Wow I only read a couple pages in there so far and it's intriguing. what does R3CA stand for anyway?

WaterKeeper · 04/17/2009, 03:44 PM

It is R2D2's brother.

Sisterlimonpot · 04/17/2009, 03:45 PM

I was thinking a sister of C3PO

Whys · 04/17/2009, 03:46 PM

It's both. Don't ask.

Sisterlimonpot · 04/17/2009, 04:18 PM

Well what I have read it seems that it's too time consuming for someone to write all the code and then give it away for free.

oldsaltman · 04/17/2009, 04:18 PM

After looking in that forum I think I will just stick with my VBScript.

Whys · 04/17/2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sisterlimonpot
Well what I have read it seems that it's too time consuming for someone to write all the code and then give it away for free.

Entire operating systems and GUI desktops have been coded as open source. This too could be done. Can't say I'm the one interested in doing it though. Like I said, online smoke alarms are a better place to start.

I have little doubt that the controller manufacturers are taking note of our desires and improving their designs. But I say, forget the controller. That still requires I monitor it. Lets cut to the chase and build a reef-keeping robot.

stricknine · 04/17/2009, 04:58 PM

I'd buy one.

Maybe it could find out why my zoos are dying for me!

04/16/2009, 09:48 AM	#28
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	You know I have thought about this idea with using an old Xbox to control and monitor a tank in real time kind of like a poor manâ€™s reef keeper2 or ACIII. Seeing that they are somewhat obsolete and people have them just lying around and not to mention cheap at a pawn shop. I know that there is software/hardware to make these into small computers but that is where my intellect ends. To actually use one of these to control a tank would be a great DIY. So if someone has the knowhow. Take this idea and run with it. Just make the technology free for everyone else!!! __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

04/16/2009, 01:37 PM	#33
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	That pretty much makes that Newbie Corner Log program a needless adventure. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

04/16/2009, 01:46 PM	#34
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	where just raising the bar on what a newbie is. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

04/16/2009, 02:04 PM	#35
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	WK, sometimes forgets that you all may be reef newbies but were born computer nerds. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

04/16/2009, 04:55 PM	#37
oldsaltman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ga Posts: 1,333	This may be a little off topic, but does anyone know how to send an automated email? I have my LT connected to my ACjr 24/7 and it will email me if anything goes bad inside the tank. I want to add an automated email to tell me if the house power fails. My LT has a program inside the battery settings that allows me to start or run any program if the LT goes from house current to battery power. How can I send the automated email telling me the power is off? __________________ "No honey I can't just send it back. It's all wet and they won't take it back now!" Current Tank Info: 90g inwall with a 30g sump

04/16/2009, 03:34 AM	#26
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	All very cool, but I say again, we need an electronic valve! What's the point of remote utility if I can't control the flow? Of course, my entire house could burn down and it wouldn't tell me until the floor fell out from under it. Smoke alarms would seem a better place to start.

04/16/2009, 09:35 AM	#27
chris4869 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,006	I recall there's already an electronic valve for the RO unit, but I'm not sure if that's what you're trying to control. I'm curious as to why you would want to control any type of flow remotely. You will need a trusty sensor to know the current status. I use good old Excel to keep track all of my records. Ten years ago I would take the time to write a fancy program to track this stuff, but my software engineering skill is really rusty at the moment, and I'm just plain lazy. I really like your google doc idea. Thanks for the info.

04/16/2009, 10:10 AM	#30
chris4869 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,006	What about an old laptop? It comes with a screen, keyboard, and possibly a wireless network card or modem too. There's no DIY involved at all, since it's already a computer. I thought about using the modem port to control the AC DC8. The lazy side of me want to get the ACIII and be done with it.

04/16/2009, 10:16 AM	#31
birdz Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fenton, MI Posts: 107	I'd love to see an aquarium logging iphone application

04/16/2009, 11:16 AM	#32
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Your welcome. :]

04/16/2009, 02:19 PM	#36
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	'Tis true. I blame introversion. Waterkeep, did you ever read the upside down message in that photo of you with the upgraded IBM?

04/17/2009, 09:45 AM	#38
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	There are any number of commercial programs but here is a "how to" on setting a system up Using Access to Automate e-Mail Events. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

04/17/2009, 01:35 PM	#39
oldsaltman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ga Posts: 1,333	Thanks, I finally found that could just write a quick VBScript and it would do just what I wanted. Took 5 minutes after I found figured out what I was doing. __________________ "No honey I can't just send it back. It's all wet and they won't take it back now!" Current Tank Info: 90g inwall with a 30g sump

04/17/2009, 02:02 PM	#40
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	You should all mosey over to the R3CA sub forum in the DIY section on here. People are making good progress on many of the ideas mentioned in this thread. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

04/17/2009, 02:51 PM	#41
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I didn't even know about that forum! Is it the one where they talk about proportioning band and reset rates? __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

04/17/2009, 03:02 PM	#42
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Sometimes I wonder if this hobby is really about fish and corals.

04/17/2009, 03:22 PM	#43
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Wow I only read a couple pages in there so far and it's intriguing. what does R3CA stand for anyway? __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

04/17/2009, 03:44 PM	#44
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	It is R2D2's brother. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

04/17/2009, 03:45 PM	#45
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	I was thinking a sister of C3PO __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

04/17/2009, 03:46 PM	#46
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	It's both. Don't ask.

04/17/2009, 04:18 PM	#47
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Well what I have read it seems that it's too time consuming for someone to write all the code and then give it away for free. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

04/17/2009, 04:58 PM	#50
stricknine Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up North Posts: 989	I'd buy one. Maybe it could find out why my zoos are dying for me!