How do controllers work?

In terms of controlling lights (dimming), and powerheads?

I was looking into it this morning and trying to figure out how they interface, especially the lighting situation. It seems to me, that there's no real dimming method, but instead, really only on and off, unless you have some kind of special or "compatible" balast.

Do you need to have specific components to engage a controller and your lighting? A certain balast? I have a TEK lighting fixture, I don't see how a controller + energy bar can control the intensity of my lights over a AC plug.

 

They can't dim anything generally. There is maybe one controller that can but you need special lighting hardware, it certainly won't work with regular T5/MH lighting.

 

The issue with dimming the bulbs we use for aquaria (halides, T5's, PC's, etc.) is that you must have a compatible ballast. With said ballast, I still don't know if the controllers have the capability to ramp up/down power. I'd guess probably not, but I don't have a controller. Yet.

I'm curious how they interface, too. I'd imagine they'd have to host a multi-receptacle block into which all controlled electrical devices plug in to.

I'll be watching this thread until some folks with controllers like Otty, respond.

 

Hmmmmm. I was looking at the Apex Aquacontroller by neptune systems. It looks like a cool little system. The price, from I've been reading, is supposed to be right as well (even tho $500 is still very heavy for me).

I like the email/sms/iphone app control thing the most. Wish those things came with electronic monitoring of Ammonia, Nitrates, and Nitrites too tho. I'm no chemist and I honestly don't even know if there is apparatus to do that monitoring, but it cant help to wish

In any case I'm kinda dissapointed as far as this lighting thing is concerned. blah!

 

Once a tank is up and cycled, you really don't have much need to worry about ammonia and nitrites.

 

That actually occurred to me after I hit the post button. I still check my ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, every other day, even tho I'm sure my tank is done cycling and the algae blooms are done.

I guess it's still in me. Maybe I'll slow down my checks on that stuff to a couple times a week. Time for the paranoia to lift itself.

 

... or you could just start testing the Alk, Ca, Mag, etc - the stuff that you should now be testing to get your parameters right for a successful reef.

 

Yeah, controllers don't dim lights, they just turn them on or off.

The only ones that ramp up or down are for controllable powerheads, Tunze was one of the first to have this option, but koralias and even rio have this option now.

You are spot on with the interface. You can buy different modules and add on what you want.

I have quite a bit of experience with PLC's (Programmable Logic Controllers) for industrial use, but the aquarium specific ones are simpler to program, and much less $$. I was all gung ho on getting an Allen Bradlet Micrologix 1100 and adding all the modules to make it work for tank use, but even as a buyeer for these items, the discounted costs were too much. The 1100 processer is like 2x what a RK elite or similar top end tank controller costs, with all the modules even included.

I have a buddy that works for rockwell and an EE and programs these for a living, and while he has a pretty good supply of "used" plc parts, even now he has been converted to my way of thinking that it will be easier to jsut get a controller made for tanks.

 

Well I was doing a quick glance at the specs on the aquacontroller and I saw mention of dimming.

I'm not sure how I feel about this situation as it is, given that I'm riding on my controller-ignorance.

But outside of the ability to auto shutdown particular components (like shutting off the lights if the temp reaches outside of your given range) I don't see the necessity in this device. Ihave a small coral-life thermometer, I can test ph in a minute or so.

I don't have any fancy powerheads, I'm rollin gon azoos right now, not those $400 vortec things or tunze, so controlling powerheads don't really fall into my basket either

 

Well, maybe then you can dim lights with controllers, but like stated, most bulbs/ ballasts can't.

When you have thousands invested in the setup, then you will see why folks use a controller. It is peace of mind, and also acts like a reef nanny and takes care of situations like temp, ph, whatever issues. The controllers job is to make your life easier, and the conditions better/ more stable for your critters. And they do that.