can a lap top be a controller

As the title says, I have a laptop about 2 years old and is sitting around doing nothing, I aws just wondering if there is a way to turn it into a controler to monitor ph, temp, control lights and manage the ATO, if so can you point me in the direction to do this

 

You have to get a controller for your tank like a Apex or RK that monitors your ph, temp and so on. Then you us your laptop to connect to the tank controller throw ur home network then you can monitor and modify your setting from there on your tank.
Apex
http://www.neptunesystems.com/
RK
http://www.digitalaquatics.com/saltwater/systemsK

I can’t really speak on the RK, maybe some of the other reefer can. but the Apex, I love it. i controller/view PH, temp, I have alert that tells me when my ATO and my Doser are on and I control my leds all on the go.

 

Purchase an Apex Jr. controller and you can control that using your laptop.

 

For an extra 50 i should just get the Reefangel and it has the float switches temp propand ph prop
im was just looking set up the lap as the controller

 

In the end, it'll probably be cheaper to just buy a controller. To use a PC as the controller device is possible, but you'd have to buy a bunch of software and hardware to make it work. It'd be a pretty cool project though if you were just doing it for fun....

 

Like what software would be needed and what equip, ill do a price comparison and then decide.

 

You would be building and writing it your self for the most part.

 

Only thing I can think of is a micro controller unit that is programmable. But that is exactly what your getting with a reef angel and or apex. You still would use the laptop as a means to program and monitor.

 

Mmm well I guess ill get the reefangel