SMS alarm

[G.Alexander]

Anybody knows a unit, beside the IKS, which automatically sends SMS messages to selected cellular phone numbers when a power failure is present ?

G.Alexander

[gqjeff]

Does www.aquatronica.com?

[G.Alexander]

Thanks Jeff, looks like they do not offer a SMS unit for the controller. I know there are different “general” alarm systems available which are not aquarium specified but I was not able to find the right one. I only like to use the power failure feature.

G.Alexander

[Miguelito]

My knowledge of the two Euro models is from reading the Aquatronica thread on RC and the IKS thread on the Deltec forum. There are a few users of both. I have used two Aquacontroller II's - and a friend owns a III Pro that I have played with. SMS will be activated if any rule is broken such as ph, temp, a/c, etc. I'm about to upgrade my AQII so I've been doing lots of research. As much as I'd love to try Aquatronica or IKS, Neptune really has them beat as far as ease of use, functions and cost. I lost an entire 150 SPS system last year when I was in Europe that might have been avoided if I had my AQII functioning properly. My friend's A/C unit went out last month when he was in Hawaii and it paged him so a disaster was averted.

Aquatronica does not. They are working on a SMS module, but to be honest I think that JUST started so who knows when it might be out. Info on the unit is pretty hard to get.

Neptune's Aquacontroller III Pro has the feature built into the box itself, along with a built-in webserver. You can hook the III Pro right up to your online/cable service and get the email/page/call, as well as your own website, without hooking to a computer. Aquacontroller II can also do it with a few cheap add-ons.

IKS can do it, but according to Saxby you need a dedicated cellular phone. Not sure if a land line will work, but he specifically said cell phone.

[G.Alexander]

Sorry to hear about the lost. Exactly the same happened to my tank 6 years ago and I try to prevent the new one from such a disaster & like spend some days away from home without the bad feelings. A power failure while nobody is at home is one of the worst things can happen to a tank. All life can be down within some hours if the tank is full stocked.

It seems there are different “all in one” controllers available but I like to keep it simple, if possible, to make sure it really works in such a situation. All the other features are nice to have, but IMO not so basic.

Temperature is another thing which can become a problem. I have solved it by adding a thermostat with a temperature sensor in the tank which switches off the bulbs if the programmed temperature is reached, switching on the bulbs if the water temperature dropped down. Its also a very simple unit which has not a lot of possibilities for a failure:

http://www.elv.de/shopping/ArtikelDe...%2DTH&Menue=Ja

Sorry, they only offer a German product description.

G.Alexander

[Miguelito]

That's a neat thermistat. I really want to try the Aquatronica or the IKS but it's hard to get answers. I need an all in one, as I have quite a few vacations/biz trips planned this and next year. I really want to try the Aquatronica because I like the display and the power strips. And the IKS looks cool but a dedicated phone line is kinda ridiculous. Now that Neptune has the DC8's it seems they still have the best, easiest - and most affordable unit.

Hard decision, but I need something by the end of September. The ACIII Pro really seems to win in the price, customer support, plug n play categories - the other win in the nicest looking categories.

[moonpod]

IF they've fixed the DCs. Those things were horrible when I used 'em.

[Orion76]

If I am not mistaken, the IKS SMS module can be used as a standalone controller which can SMS you if there is a powercut without the need for the IKS controller.

[G.Alexander]

Timon, you are right. The SMS module can be connected to a cell phone to report a power failure.

G.Alexander

[Bojan]

I connect my DIY Aquarium controller to old Siemens C35 GSM cell phone.

You can also find many sollutions in the following page.

http://www.tixi.com/

[G.Alexander]

Thanks Bojan, looks interesting. I will contact them for further support.

G.Alexander

[losmandy]

IKS with the Timo software (http://www.matuta.com) will support SMS via email/SMS gateway without the need for a GSM handset.

[G.Alexander]

Thanks, but IMO this could be very risky. If I have a power failure in the whole house, the computer will also be down if I do not use any USV. These are many connections and with my luck murphys law will happen for sure. I like to keep this system independent from everything else if possible.

I have read the IKS SMS module user manual and the unit is connected with the same power outlet as the units I like to monitor for a power failure.

If the power failure happens, the SMS module will work with a integrated rechargeable battery for about some seconds which is enough time to send out the SMS. Than the module does not work furthermore until the power is back again.

It would be a good thing to get a SMS in such a situation, let me say every hour, until the problem is fixed. This does not work with the IKS SMS module as I understood the user manual.

Maybe the module offers the possibility to send a further SMS when the power failure is over ?

G.Alexander

[Orion76]

Maybe the module offers the possibility to send a further SMS when the power failure is over ?

That would be nice to get if you are far away and can't get home within a couple of hours!

[G.Alexander]

This really would make me feel better. Maybe the power went back within a minute and I drive home for two hours or so and see everything is working fine …

G.Alexander