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Post by maineultraclassic on May 6, 2014 17:41:29 GMT -5
Does anyone on here use a Reef Angel controller?
I'm looking for opinions and experiences with them......good or bad.
Thanks,
Steve
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Post by BriMc on May 7, 2014 14:31:26 GMT -5
I don't have one but they are getting good reviews on other sites.
They are open source and the same platform as Arduino
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Post by industry on May 7, 2014 15:04:56 GMT -5
I want one, does that count?  |
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Post by maineultraclassic on May 7, 2014 16:17:37 GMT -5
I just passed up a used one for $150 because it was the regular model, not the plus model.
I emailed the owner of Reef Angel, and he replied that they just discontinued the standard model and are only selling the plus model. Better processor and more memory.........and it was only $20 more when buying new.
I'll keep an eye out for one, they come up once in a while used.
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Post by jasonandsarah on May 7, 2014 17:37:35 GMT -5
If you are skilled in programming and awesome with computers then reef Angel or Arduino is probably the way to go.
If your not like me:) then you should probably go with an apex they are a little less demanding on the programming side but you can still change things around if you want to and as you get better and learn more if the programming stuff. Imo
Sent from my SCH-R970 using proboards
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Post by Pokahpolice on May 8, 2014 8:23:31 GMT -5
I honestly don't understand the concept. The point of using open source hardware is because it's so cheap. The RA is far from cheap. Once you get all the add ons you need it may be the most expensive controller on the market. The expansion modules are super pricy. To add a Salinity module and probe is $225!!
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Post by BriMc on May 8, 2014 8:34:55 GMT -5
I don't think it is any cheaper than any other controller once you start adding to it, the Reef angel just gives you the ability to add different Arduino modules and write your own programs. That being said I don't know what other modules you would need as I can do almost anything with the Aquatronica including writing my own programs.
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Post by jasonandsarah on May 8, 2014 9:03:30 GMT -5
Just a quick point on what I was saying last night, I got my pm1 and ph probe yesterday and it was almost plug and play I had to do minor changes that were detailed in the instructions to get it going and the ph probe and pm1 module was about 120$. Sent from my SCH-R970 using proboards Attachments:
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Post by Pokahpolice on May 8, 2014 9:14:47 GMT -5
I don't think it is any cheaper than any other controller once you start adding to it, the Reef angel just gives you the ability to add different Arduino modules and write your own programs. That being said I don't know what other modules you would need as I can do almost anything with the Aquatronica including writing my own programs. Agreed but if you have the skill set to write your own program an Arduino mega board is only $15...I can't understand the cost |
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Post by maineultraclassic on May 8, 2014 9:26:16 GMT -5
$269 for the Reef Angel Plus
$149 for the salinity module (w/probe)
$109 for the wifi module
That's a total of $527 to purchase everything new from Reef Angel.
I'm not in any hurry, so I'm keeping an eye out for a used package.
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Post by BriMc on May 8, 2014 9:34:58 GMT -5
Just a quick point on what I was saying last night, I got my pm1 and ph probe yesterday and it was almost plug and play I had to do minor changes that were detailed in the instructions to get it going and the ph probe and pm1 module was about 120$. Sent from my SCH-R970 using proboards Did you calibrate your probe? |
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Post by jasonandsarah on May 8, 2014 9:37:29 GMT -5
Comes calibrated and shipped in solution. No calibration needed tested yesterday and everything matches up. Good to go for now I'll have to re-calibrate eventually though obviously.
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Post by BriMc on May 8, 2014 9:38:42 GMT -5
I don't think it is any cheaper than any other controller once you start adding to it, the Reef angel just gives you the ability to add different Arduino modules and write your own programs. That being said I don't know what other modules you would need as I can do almost anything with the Aquatronica including writing my own programs. Agreed but if you have the skill set to write your own program an Arduino mega board is only $15...I can't understand the cost Yes and that is the nice thing about most controllers on the market, writing a program is super easy and you do not need to know any programming language. Basically it is A is on, B should be ? |
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Post by Pokahpolice on May 8, 2014 9:50:36 GMT -5
Let's be honest, writing you're own program and setting the parameters of an existing program are worlds apart.
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Post by jasonandsarah on May 8, 2014 10:17:26 GMT -5
Let's be honest, writing you're own program and setting the parameters of an existing program are worlds apart. That's what sets apart the people that can build their own and people that have to buy a controller. Believe me I wish I had someone to really help me because I definitely would have at the very least attempted to do a build myself. I'm a fast learner and I'm great at building things (just not computers),But I'm learning. I'm already diying my Break out box for my apex. It's probably the easiest one to diy but I'm trying to get my feet wet. There's a wealth of information on diy on the Neptune apex forum and I'll be continually doing more and more as my knowledge and skills improve. Hopefully when all is said and done I can build my own controller and sell my existing one. At least that's the original plan I'm really starting to LOVE this thing and it's worth every penny for me. If you think what people pay in this hobby for lighting and skimmers! Having complete control of your tank when away and getting alerted when almost anything happens to you tank is priceless for me. Even check in on my tank via web cam Sent from my SCH-R970 using proboards |
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