Chbix
Active Member
So I am not ready to buy a controller yet as there are still big ticket items I need for my 180. So I got a smart power strip
Now this one has 4 always on plugs and 4 "smart" plugs. It also has 4 always on USB ports.
It has an app called Smart Life. Its not bad, setup was kind of a pain with 2.4 ghz only wifi (had to mess with the router settings)
Anyway the App allows me to rename outlets, turn them off and on etc. But it also has some automation routines. I was able to set up a feed mode with one button. Also integrated with the alexa app to do the commands via voice.
So I plugged in my return pump and Tunze ATO to the smart plugs. (Inkbird controller and icecap I left on always on for now, might move the icecap over as well.)
After I realized that the Tunze highwater alarm will trigger everytime I turn the pump off for feeding I was able to do 2 things. First I set up an If command, so that If the return pump is turned off then the ATO is also turned off, so for emergencies or I just turn the return pump off for maintenance.
Second I made a one button feed mode. Set the pump and ATO to turn off. After 15 minutes, the pump turns back on and then 5 minutes after that (to allow return chamber level to return to normal operations where my ATO sensor is). Then I integrated it into the Alexa so that I can say "Alexa, Activate feed" and it runs the program.
Just wanted to throw that out for those who want some minimal automation with out dropping big dollars on a controller.
Now this one has 4 always on plugs and 4 "smart" plugs. It also has 4 always on USB ports.
It has an app called Smart Life. Its not bad, setup was kind of a pain with 2.4 ghz only wifi (had to mess with the router settings)
Anyway the App allows me to rename outlets, turn them off and on etc. But it also has some automation routines. I was able to set up a feed mode with one button. Also integrated with the alexa app to do the commands via voice.
So I plugged in my return pump and Tunze ATO to the smart plugs. (Inkbird controller and icecap I left on always on for now, might move the icecap over as well.)
After I realized that the Tunze highwater alarm will trigger everytime I turn the pump off for feeding I was able to do 2 things. First I set up an If command, so that If the return pump is turned off then the ATO is also turned off, so for emergencies or I just turn the return pump off for maintenance.
Second I made a one button feed mode. Set the pump and ATO to turn off. After 15 minutes, the pump turns back on and then 5 minutes after that (to allow return chamber level to return to normal operations where my ATO sensor is). Then I integrated it into the Alexa so that I can say "Alexa, Activate feed" and it runs the program.
Just wanted to throw that out for those who want some minimal automation with out dropping big dollars on a controller.
