IKS

COMPUTERIZED CONTROL & MEASURING SYSTEM

A system that grows to suit your demands
The extendable multi-purpose system 

The aquarists computer IKS AQUASTAR is a state-of the art system of modular construction that caters for all of your needs where automatic monitoring and control of every major water and lighting factor is concerned for both fresh- and seawater aquariums. With it, you can build up your own individual system to suit your personal requirements and your pocket.
Regardless of whether you want a good-value means of monitoring and regulating lighting, temperature and pH-value in your tank with a standard set-up or you want to automate as many extra functions as you can think of, the IKS AQUASTAR is the answer! Besides extensive timed functions, you also have at your fingertips measuring modules for pH-value, Redox potential, temperature, conductivity, water level, oxygen und air pressure. Additional modules are currently undergoing development. Up to eight of these modules can be connected to the system in any combination. Thus, it is possible, for example, to take multiple pH measurements (e.g. in a calcium reactor and in the aquarium) or even in several tanks quite independently of each other.

A word about operating comfort:

While developing this system, the engineers always gave the greatest priority to easy, user-friendly operation. One of the outcomes of this is an intelligent menu-driven control procedure as yet unequalled by any other system.
What is meant by intelligent menu-driven control?
Well, for example, programming a regulation process or a timer clearly only makes sense when an approiate action can be triggered. An action (e.g. activating a solenoid valve) can, however, only become active via a switch output (switch socket). It's right at this point that IKS aquastar's intelligent menu-driven control comes in. The system detects which and how many components (measuring modules, switch sockets) are connected to it and structures its menu accordingly. This technique represents a huge step forward in terms of user-friendly systems.

Remarkable functions:

• logical and easy operation.

• You can connect up to two socket panels, with 4 sockets each, to the iks aquastar midi. That means 1 plus 8 controlled sockets. These are also available in a variable-output version for extremely realistic simulations.

• With the IKS AQUASTAR midi you can programme up to 32 timer functions (with weekday function). The shortest switch interval is only 1 second long. This enables you, for example, to add minimal amounts of trace elements evenly and automatically with the help of a dosing pump (such as the IKS Vario). (The dosing pump IKS Vario MP 045 feeds an amount of only 0,075 ml per second at its lowest setting.

• The interval functions can be individually adjusted to suit your own requirements. The active and passive phases of the interval duration can be set separately from each other, whereby a random factor (time) can be given for each one.

• The extensive day/night simulation makes child's play of your aquarium's lighting and optimizes it too. You can use it to set a wide variety of lighting on- and off times. If the lighting you use can be dimmed, you can simulate sunrise and sunset. It's even possible to recreate the sunrise and sunset of a particular region of the world (by entering the latitude and longitude. This function even makes the period of the reduction in nocturnal values possible (pH-value, temperature, current etc.).

• The integrated lunar-phase simulation gives you everything you want. You can choose between two alternatives. A practice-related one for the "aquarium enthusiast" and the and one for the authentic simulation of moonlight (for coral cultivation), taking into account the duration as well as the intensity of the light. It too allows you to simulate the lunar phase of a particular region of the world, the tropics for example (again, by entering latitude and longitude!

• There is also a very wide spectrum of possibilities for current simulation such as pulsating waves or high/low tide. No matter how large your aquarium is and regardless of the shape it may have, this simulation function, thought out right down to the last detail, makes it possible for you to create the optimum current for any tank. You can control up to 16 pumps!

• In the "professional" programming level, up to eight different control processes can be carried out using one measurement and control module. An example: The tank-floor heating system on Socket 1 is activated at 25° C. If the temperature continues to fall to 24.5° C, a heating element on Socket 2 will cut in. If the temperature in your tank becomes too high, a fan/cooler on Socket 3 can be activated at, say, 27°C. For all these functions you can add different values for day/night and summer/winter, too.

• All control processes can have upper and lower alarm limits allocated to them ( with the exception of water level for which a time alarm can be entered for maximum safety).

• Acoustic, visual and external alarm .

• Automatic calibration with sensor test (for pH, Redox, conductivity, oxygen).

• Display of salt content, density or mS in seawater aquariums (with conductivity module only).

• Using the IKS AQUASTAR any of the measured values can be stored and transferred to a PC at any intervals you decide upon. Thus, 2000 chains of measurements (one chain comprises date, time and the values of all the connected sensors) can be stored in the memory. The lead required to do this is available from IKS. The software necessary for transferring the data to your PC (iks-datastar) is can be downloaded free-of-charge in the section "Software" on this website. With the help of your PC you can recognize and identify long-term trends and interdependencies between the most diverse factors in your aquarium. A PC programme for comfortable evaluation of data (graphs, database, tables, online display etc.) is currently being developed.

• Set for the future with the update function: As the whole system is constantly undergoing further development you have the opportunity of installing the latest programmes (functions) from the Internet with a PC. That means : You are always up-to-date!

• Absolutely excellent value for money!

• A five-year guarantee - ensures you peace of mind.

What other system offers you so much?

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Switch outputs / switch-socket panels

For control and activation / deactivation of lighting, heating, pumps, valves.....

Up to four switch socket panels can be connected to the IKS AQUASTAR system, each with four switch outputs. You can therefore individually control a total of 16 sockets. The IKS switch socket panel comes in two models: one is a panel (item no. 1006) whose sockets (outputs) are switched on or off by the IKS AQUASTAR and the other is a variable-output (or "dimmable") version (item no. 1009) whose output can be progressively changes with the help of an integrated phase-angle control unit. This panel has been specially developed for the simulation of current an natural light.

The switch socket panels are available in a variety of models to suit different countries.
The IKS switch-socket panel's technical data (item no. 1006):

Inputs:
For Opto-decoupled control inputs
Outputs:
Four individually operable sockets (230 V~ / max.10 A)
Breaking capacity:
The maximum breaking capacity of the panel is 2300 W, whereby it can also be connected via a single channel.
Technique:
Electronic relay with a crossover switch.
The switch state of the socket is shown via LEDs.
Geometric dimensions:
48 cm x 8 cm x 5 cm

Socket panel (item no. 1006) applications:

• Control processes (e.g. solenoid valve for pH-value, heating element for temperature)

• Timers (e.g. various lamps, dosing pumps, automatic feed dispensers etc.)

• Simulation of currents (e.g. current pumps)

• Interval functions

Technical data for the variable-output iks socket panel (item no. 1009):

Inputs:
Opto-decoupled control inputs.
Outputs:
Four individually variable ("dimmable") sockets.
Breaking capacity:
250 W per channel.
Technique:
Phase-angle control
Geometric dimensions:
48 cm x 8 cm x 5 cm

Socket panel (item no. 1009) applications:

• Simulation of currents (e.g. with the current pumps of the IKS AQUASTAR turbo series)

• Sunrise and/or sunset

• Lunar-phase simulation

• Only electrical power consumers specially designed for operation with phase-angle control are to be connected.

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The air-pressure module (item no.1010)

You can use the air-pressure module to measure the absolute air pressure. Please note that it is the relative air pressure that is given in, for example, weather reports or other media. The relative air pressure always refers to sea-level.

This module was developed to automatically compensate for the relatively high dependency of the oxygen saturation in the water on air pressure. If the air pressure is not taken into consideration, it is quite feasible that errors in measurement can result of around 5% in the figure for oxygen saturation.

Use

• Automatic air-pressure compensation when measuring oxygen saturation

Technical data

• Measuring range 200 mbar to 1050 mbar-

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The oxygen module (item no. 1008)

Using the oxygen module, the IKS AQUASTAR can continuously measure and regulate the oxygen content in your aquarium. And while it's doing so, you can have the oxygen content displayed in mg/l or the oxygen saturation in %. As the module is galvanically separated from the basis system, the oxygen content can be measured at different points in a water circuit without the individual sensors having an effect on each other. Of course, the oxygen sensor is suited to freshwater and seawater.

Why measure the oxygen content?

Oxygen is one of the elementary components of our planet. No higher life forms are possible without it, neither on land nor in water.
Measuring the oxygen content can help you, as an aquarium enthusiast, to discover where care and attention is failing. If the O2 content is constantly too low, feed, the population density, filters and plant growth must be checked and sources of higher organic pressure localised. Fish that are constantly subjected to oxygen deficits often suffer from lack of appetite, immune deficiencies and more frequent occurrence of infections. Their life expectancy falls.

Technical data

• Measuring range from 0 to 150%, 0 to 20 mg/l

• Temperature range 0 to 50°C

• Accuracy when exposed to a flow of 2cm/s ca. 5% below the real figure

• Accuracy when exposed to a flow of 5cm/s ca. 1% below the real figure

• Switch hysteresis 2%

• High-quality, low-maintenance Clark-measuring cells (German manufacturer)

• Long sensor life (physically 2 years)

• Calibration apparatus for precise calibration

• Quick and easy calibration

• Automatic or manual temperature compensation

• Up to eight control processes can be programmed

• Upper and lower alarm settings

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The conductivity module (item no.1003)

Just as all the other models are, the conductivity module is suitable for both freshwater and seawater aquariums. In freshwater aquariums, the conductivity is displayed in µS/cm. In the case of seawater aquariums you can choose between having the conductivity displayed in mS/cm, the salt content or the density! All measurements are relative to a reference temperature of 25°C. In the section Tips and Tricks, you will find a table for the conversion of conductivity into salt content and density.

Use

• For example, if conductivity is falling you can add salt-water, and if it is increasing then distilled water or osmosis water.

Technical data

• A high-quality, low-maintenance sensor comprising 4 platinum electrodes

• 4-conductor method for greatest precision

• Measuring range I from 10 µS to 1 mS, resolution 1 µS, switch hysteresis 10 µS

• Measuring range II from 1 mS to 100 mS, resolution 0.1 mS, switch hysteresis 0.2 mS

• Automatic or manual temperature compensation

• Automatic calibration with sensor test

• Up to eight control process can be programmed

• Upper and lower alarm settings

• 1mS und 50 mS calibration solutions included in the set

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WATER LEVEL MODULE

You can fully automatically ensure a constant water level in your aquarium using the water-level module (automatic level system). The float switch used is installed inside a casing protected from waves to prevent a pump switching on and off unnecessarily. In the unlikely event of the float switch failing, a timed alarm can be triggered to prevent flooding your living room. That means: if the specified level is not reached within a certain period of time, the pump will be pre-emptorily deactivated. The alarm time for this depends on the connected pump and can be easily set as the user wishes.

Use

• Replacement of water lost through evaporation. The dosing pump IKS Vario LP180 (item no. 2000) has proved particularly well-suited for many years.

• No annoying rings around the inside of the tank

• Practically no density fluctuations in seawater aquariums

• Can also be used as an a means of overflow protection (drainage)

Technical details

• Switch hysteresis ca. 2 mm

• Up to eight control processes can be programmed

• Timed alarm for maximum safety

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The Temperature module (item no. 1004)

The temperature can be precisely and continuously measured and controlled in your aquarium with the temperature module. You can stipulate a variety of settings for day and night, and for summer and winter, too. You can reproduce natural changes in temperature in your aquarium. The waterproof temperature sensor also allows temperature measurement in the bed of the aquarium, for example.

Tip !!

Please be aware that the factors pH, oxygen and conductivity are, in part, very highly dependent on temperature. With the help of a temperature module, automatic temperature compensation can be carried out for every factor. So, including a temperature module in your system is extremely useful even you don't use it to control temperature.

An example of application

Let's say you want to control the floor heating system, the main heating unit (e.g. a heating element, and a cooler all with one temperature module. A realistic example: At 25°C, Socket 1 with a floor heating system is activated. If the heating output of this is insufficient in winter and the temperature falls, a heating element connected to Socket 2 will be switched on. However, if the temperature in summer rises to 27°C, an aerator/cooler on Socket 3 cut in. In addition, you can set different values for day/night and summer/winter!

Technical data

• Measuring range from 0°C to 50°C

• Resolution 0.05º C

• Switch hysteresis 0.15°C

• Up to eight control processes can be programmed

• Upper and lower alarm settings

• High-quality, waterproof Pt1000 Class A sensor

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The Redox module  (item no. 1002)

You can continuously measure and regulate the Redox potential of your aquarium with the help of this module. As the module is galvanically separated from the basis system, the Redox potential can also be measured at different points within a single water circuit without the individual sensors having an effect on each other. You can choose between having the Redox potential displayed on the IKS AQUASTAR in mV or as the rH-value.

Use

• Control of an O2 system with falling redox potential.

• Control of a nitrate filter (regulation in the negative range). While doing so, you can simultaneously measure the value in the aquarium using an additional module.

Technical data

• Measuring and control range from -300 mV to +600 mV

• Resolution 1 mV

• Switch hysteresis 5 mV

• Up to eight control processes can be programmed

• Upper and lower alarm settings

• Automatic calibration with sensor test

• High-quality, maintenance-free laboratory Redox-electrodes (made in Germany)

• 230 mV calibration solution included in the set

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The pH-module  (item no. 1001)

You can continuously measure and regulate the pH-value of your aquarium with the help of this module. As the module is galvanically separated from the basis system, the pH-value can also be measured at different points within a single water circuit without the individual sensors having an effect on each other.

Use in freshwater aquariums

• Control of the CO2 supply (fertilizing) via a solenoid valve connected to an iks switch socket panel. You can also programme night-time deactivation.

Use in seawater aquariums

• Control of a calcium reactor in order to obtain optimum solubility of the calcium. In addition, you can simultaneously measure the pH-value in the tank using a second module!

Technical data

• Measuring range from pH 3 to pH 13

• Resolution pH 0,01

• Switch hysteresis pH 0.05

• Up to eight control processes can be programmed

• Automatic or manual temperature compensation

• Upper and lower alarm settings

• Automatic calibration with sensor test

• High-quality, maintenance-free laboratory pH-electrodes (made in Germany)

• pH 4 und pH 7 calibration solutions included in the set

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The basic system IKS AQUASTAR (Art.-Nr. 1000) provides:

• connections for up to eight measuring modules ion any combination

• connections for up to 16 switch sockets (4x4)

• availability of sockets with variable output ("dimmable)

• a readings memory for 2000 chains of readings, buffered by storage battery

• a PC interface for data analysis on the PC

• an update facility via Flash-memory technology

• automatic sensor recognition and sensor test

• day/night simulation

• lunar-phase simulation

• high-tide/low-tide simulation

• currents simulation

• timer functions

• interval functions

• nocturnal reduction

• illuminated LC-display

• a real-time clock

• acoustic, visual and external alarms

• a five-year guarantee

Available measuring and regulation modules:

• pH

• Redox potential

• conductivity

• temperature

• water level

• oxygen

• air pressure

Interface: Serial PC-interface (for data analysis and the update facility)

Display: LC-display (2x16 characters), illuminated.

Outputs: 16 TTL switch outputs for connecting the IKS switch socket panels

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