This time i want to leave the overview/review for an amazing aquarium smart controller.
I was lucky to be able to use the device for some months now even before it was released and i am now ready to make a informed review of it, since the pre-order just became available to public at https://intaqo.com/
So the equipment is made of a main device, which controls all the settings, and comes default with: a pH probe, a temperature probe; an inline solenoid valve, or optionally an 110/220v controlled plug. Not included is the PAR sensor, but all the equipment is ready integrated, and one just need to buy the sensor.
The unit is offered with different power adapters (12v, 24v and different maximum) or without Power supply unit (PSU). Although the device can use the lights own DC adapter, i strongly suggest to purchase one of the offered DC adapters since the device itself uses around 24w and that can provide suboptimal power to the led fixture. Also since you can control 2 independent light fixtures using the same device and a single dc adapter, take that into account so that the PSU is powerful for both fixtures plus basal wattage.
The device works well with either Android or iOS operative systems and the company support is best to none. I have never seen such a great product support from any company. Any issue is quickly addressed and communication is super fast. They are also very receptive to customers requests for improvements, bug fixes, etc, so the software will be able to be continuously developed depending on customers requests to make it even better.
Functions:
1) Light Control
As mentioned before, you can control two independent fixtures. For each light, and for each day, you can set 24 points of light intensity (%). But in case you want to change the schedule just for the present day without interfering with the defined weekly schedule, you can also set "override day schedule" and that new scheme will apply just for that day... both lights will work independently, but for easy programming you can select all the days or just the ones you want and set the same schedule in one go. Pretty handy. In a secret menu you can also change PWM frequency to avoid noises that can occur from certain fixtures if kept at bellow 100% light intensity.
2) Temperature
Included in the device is a temperature probe so you can check the variations in real time.
3) CO2 control
Here you have several options. You can set the specific times where the solenoid valve will be on, or off.. or instead you can set it to auto, where it will be controlled either by light intensity (ex: shut when lights are at 60%) or by pH. If you decide to use the pH method, you can define a pH interval (usually you should aim at 1 value of pH drop between CO2 injection on and off, which will yield roughly 30ppm CO2). For the pH interval you can input kH and software will automatically define the pH interval, or, if you are more advanced, you can set a minimum and maximum pH value manually. The software will open and close the valve automatically to reach the aimed pH. You can also set at which times, the software should do this and, at which times it should be always off. As a purchase option, you can chose a version provided with solenoid to add to a regulator, or in case, you already have a regulator with solenoid, you can opt for a controlled plug version instead.
4) Dosing
Included are two independently dosing pumps. Once calibrated, they are very precise (i check and seemed around 0.25mL). PS: Although i checked consistency several times, this might change with time and i have not checked for that.... Most manufacturers advertise 1mL as minimum advised pumping volume. You can set the time, volume, hour, day, etc.... for each independently. Most people dose macros and micros, but it can be used for an ALL-in-one and Liquid carbon instead.
5) Reminders
There is a section for reminders, so you get important notifications that you can personalize.
6) Wireless app and continuous monitoring
You get real time updates either via local wireless network or cellular 3/4/5G, however, for security reasons, you can only change settings when connected to the local wireless network. (This has been discussed and might be offered in the future as an SW version that allows user to change it even on 3G if users decide to). Device uses only the 2.4 GHz network. In case of power outage, device will instantly resume function normally. It also continuously log everything so any desired parameter can be checked whether it has functioned normally.
General video about the app
(sorry but its not commented)
Summary:
I am very happy with the device since i can almost always pinpoint problems in real time and take appropriate actions. Ex: if i forget to plug heater after maintenance, if pressurised CO2 cylinder is running low, etc... pH control is so much more reliable than the drop checker that i have now ditched it. I can easily fine tune as needed and, wherever i am, i can always see if things are looking normal or not.
Lets face it, its not a cheap device, and not for everybody, but for all it offers, and taking in account competition is nowhere near in terms of price/functionality, i find the device incredibly useful. Nothing pays the peace of mind of having everything under control of a click.
I was lucky to be able to use the device for some months now even before it was released and i am now ready to make a informed review of it, since the pre-order just became available to public at https://intaqo.com/
So the equipment is made of a main device, which controls all the settings, and comes default with: a pH probe, a temperature probe; an inline solenoid valve, or optionally an 110/220v controlled plug. Not included is the PAR sensor, but all the equipment is ready integrated, and one just need to buy the sensor.
The unit is offered with different power adapters (12v, 24v and different maximum) or without Power supply unit (PSU). Although the device can use the lights own DC adapter, i strongly suggest to purchase one of the offered DC adapters since the device itself uses around 24w and that can provide suboptimal power to the led fixture. Also since you can control 2 independent light fixtures using the same device and a single dc adapter, take that into account so that the PSU is powerful for both fixtures plus basal wattage.
The device works well with either Android or iOS operative systems and the company support is best to none. I have never seen such a great product support from any company. Any issue is quickly addressed and communication is super fast. They are also very receptive to customers requests for improvements, bug fixes, etc, so the software will be able to be continuously developed depending on customers requests to make it even better.
Functions:
1) Light Control
As mentioned before, you can control two independent fixtures. For each light, and for each day, you can set 24 points of light intensity (%). But in case you want to change the schedule just for the present day without interfering with the defined weekly schedule, you can also set "override day schedule" and that new scheme will apply just for that day... both lights will work independently, but for easy programming you can select all the days or just the ones you want and set the same schedule in one go. Pretty handy. In a secret menu you can also change PWM frequency to avoid noises that can occur from certain fixtures if kept at bellow 100% light intensity.
2) Temperature
Included in the device is a temperature probe so you can check the variations in real time.
3) CO2 control
Here you have several options. You can set the specific times where the solenoid valve will be on, or off.. or instead you can set it to auto, where it will be controlled either by light intensity (ex: shut when lights are at 60%) or by pH. If you decide to use the pH method, you can define a pH interval (usually you should aim at 1 value of pH drop between CO2 injection on and off, which will yield roughly 30ppm CO2). For the pH interval you can input kH and software will automatically define the pH interval, or, if you are more advanced, you can set a minimum and maximum pH value manually. The software will open and close the valve automatically to reach the aimed pH. You can also set at which times, the software should do this and, at which times it should be always off. As a purchase option, you can chose a version provided with solenoid to add to a regulator, or in case, you already have a regulator with solenoid, you can opt for a controlled plug version instead.
4) Dosing
Included are two independently dosing pumps. Once calibrated, they are very precise (i check and seemed around 0.25mL). PS: Although i checked consistency several times, this might change with time and i have not checked for that.... Most manufacturers advertise 1mL as minimum advised pumping volume. You can set the time, volume, hour, day, etc.... for each independently. Most people dose macros and micros, but it can be used for an ALL-in-one and Liquid carbon instead.
5) Reminders
There is a section for reminders, so you get important notifications that you can personalize.
6) Wireless app and continuous monitoring
You get real time updates either via local wireless network or cellular 3/4/5G, however, for security reasons, you can only change settings when connected to the local wireless network. (This has been discussed and might be offered in the future as an SW version that allows user to change it even on 3G if users decide to). Device uses only the 2.4 GHz network. In case of power outage, device will instantly resume function normally. It also continuously log everything so any desired parameter can be checked whether it has functioned normally.
General video about the app
(sorry but its not commented)
Summary:
I am very happy with the device since i can almost always pinpoint problems in real time and take appropriate actions. Ex: if i forget to plug heater after maintenance, if pressurised CO2 cylinder is running low, etc... pH control is so much more reliable than the drop checker that i have now ditched it. I can easily fine tune as needed and, wherever i am, i can always see if things are looking normal or not.
Lets face it, its not a cheap device, and not for everybody, but for all it offers, and taking in account competition is nowhere near in terms of price/functionality, i find the device incredibly useful. Nothing pays the peace of mind of having everything under control of a click.
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