[wastedincome420]

I was wondering who has/is using an Aquadyne Octopus3000 controller. I bought an used setup and when I got it some of the probes where dry,etc.
How do you like the unit. was easy to setup.??

[karma]

wasted,

I've had a 3000 for about 5 years now and I love it. I'm putting the finishing touches on a new system and I'll probably go with a Neptune Aquacontroller Pro because it has more features.

The set up on the Octopus is easy. Did you get the owners manual? If not, you should be able to go to the Aquadyne website and download a copy.

The pH probe should not be allowed to dry out. Try soaking it in some water or pH 7 buffer and see if you can calibrate it once you set up your system. You should get the calibration solutions for the pH, ORP, conductivity probes, if they didn't come with yours. I would suggest Aquatic Ecosystems ( www.aquaticecosystems.com ) for these.

Let me know if you have any more questions,

Michael

[Trapper]

I've had mine also for about 5 years. The thing's I don't like are the way the x-10 controller's need some what frequent replacement. They just wear out , especially if there cycled frquently (i.e. wavemaker feature). And the probe recaliberation kits don't last long enough for my likes. But all an all it is a pretty reliable piece of equipment.

[wastedincome420]

Thanks for the replies,
I just got a copy of the owners maual last nite. Its thicker then the owners manual I got for my computer.WOW( I had to down load it and have someone print it out for me.)
How often do you guys have to replace the probes on yours??
Have you ever ued probes that aren't made by aquadyne? How often do have to calibrate your probes?? Also Do ANY of you have it hooked up to your computer? I dont have Window 95or98, I got windowsME do you know if that will work?
The only cali. solutions I got are for the pH. I need to get some for the orp and conductivity.

[Trapper]

I get the lab quality probes(ph, and orp). They usually last about a year before you can't get them to calibrate. And I usually calibrate every 4-5 month's. If you are using a calcium reactor with co2 I would calibrate every three month's just to be on the safe side. If your co2 gets excessive it could cause problems(lower the ph to far). And Aquadyne does not recommend any other brand, they scoff at other probes. Do you live near Seabrook? I worked there for about 4 years in the 80's as a pipewelder at seabrook station. Beautiful place!

[wastedincome420]

Well I know that aquadyne frowns upon using other probes (thay mention "import" probes) I have set of pH and Orp that are made in cal.
Ya trapper I work bout 10-15min from Seabrook

[karma]

I am using the standard quality Aquadyne probes. I think they run about 50-70 dollars at Aquatic Ecosystems. I clean all of the probes and calibrate the pH probe every 2 weeks. That may seem a little excessive to some, but my probes seem to last a long time. The temp and conductivity are the original probes (5 years) and the pH and ORP are 2 years old.

At one time I had it hooked to a PC running Windows 95, but I don't currently have it hooked up. I'm not sure about Windows ME. I'm sure Aquadyne could tell you.

Michael

[wastedincome420]

Karma,
Your info is great thank-you.
I did e-mail Aquadyne about a few questions (running windME was one of em) and waiting for a response. I'm still in awe at the cost for the "upkeep" on these To start off these units are exspensive, then you have two replace the probes every 1-2yrs. (But hey nothing in this hobby is cheap Even the water cost $$ (ro/di,etc.) )
Karmao you still have the software and cable for PC hook-up?? I still need to check out that link you gave me (hopefully they are cheaper there My LFS wants $65 for a calibration kit ) I also need to buy(make??) a conductivity tee/cell for the probe. How do have yours?? Have any pics of the unit all set up?

[karma]

Wasted,

Definitely look at Aquatic Ecosystems. They are much cheaper.

The Conductivity cal solution is ~$17. I don't cal the cond probe very often, maybe once or twice a year. I have it hooked up to top off with fresh water when the cond reaches a certain point. I check the salinity against the conductivity with a refractometer every 2 weeks. The readings are quite stable week to week.

However, the layout of your conductivity cell and the water flow through it can have a very drastic effect on your conductivity readings, as can proximity to the pH/ORP/temp probes. I'll try to take a few pics of my set-up and post them in the next day or so.

The ORP cal kit is ~$23 at AqEco. It comes with 4 pouches each pH 4,7,10 and a little pouch of Quinhydrone. You mix a little Quinhydrone with the 4 and 7 buffers to cal the ORP probe. I cal the ORP maybe every 6-8 months. I look more at the trend of the numbers than the absolute number.

As I said before, I clean and cal the pH probe every 2 weeks. I use pH 7 and 10 buffers in individual packs. Aquatic Eco has them at $18 for a box of 20. That lasts me about 10 months.

I do still have the cable and the software, I'll probably hook it back up one day. My main complaint on the software is that they obsess on security. I have had to switch computers a few times, and everytime I re-install the software, I have to e-mail Aquadyne to get a new unlock code. I gues they really want to prevent software piracy.

Yep, this little guy is expensive, but I think it is extremely helpful. The freshwater top-off is really a work saver for me. My tank is set-up in a lab at a college. Animals (and water) are always being removed and added, so a float switch doesn't work in my situation.


Michael

[karma]

Wasted,

Here are a few pics of my sump with the Octopus set up. The sump is a 20H. The far end is divided from the main part of the sump. This end hold the inputs from the tanks, runs the water through a series of baffles, past the pH, ORP, & temp probes, then over and overflow.

There is a center partition that runs perpendicular to the end partition. There is a small chamber made of three small pieces of glass attached to the center partition that forms the conductivity cell. I use a small Microjet powerhead to pump water into the conductivity cell. I pump more water through the cell than the owners's manual suggests. I found that air bubbles accumulated on the bottom of the probe and threw the readings off, if the flow rate is too low. By aiming a stream of water at the bottom of the probe, no air bubbles accumulate. The water flows back into the sump through a notch in the center partition.

Hope this helps,
Michael

[karma]

closer view

[karma]

close-up of probes

[karma]

close-up of conductivity cell

[wastedincome420]

Thanks for the pics Karma
Looks like you gotta LOT goin on in your sump. LOL

I hooked up my Oct3000 yesterday ( but didn't hook up the cond. probe, I thought about just hanging it in the overflow box, so that half the probe is underwater ) My temp probe was way off by about 10 degree's so I calibrated that. now after 24hrs i figured I'll cali the pH probe. (It seems right though) and I need to get the right soulutions for the orp probe. What solution do i need for the conductivity probe?? (the higher numberd one right?).
Thanks for all the help. After working with the unit for a few min. it doesn't seem hard atall

[karma]

Yep, you need the higher number cond solution (58,640 uS, I think). Hanging the probe in the overflow box might work. If you notice that the cond measurement keeps going down, check the bottom of the probe for air bubbles.

Good luck,
Michael