Mindstream Aquarium Monitoring System

dtaranath · 11/09/2013, 08:29 PM

Anyone have any info on this new product? It supposedly tests 12 different parameters:
- pH
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- CO2
- Oxygen
- Potassium
- Ammonia
- Nitrate
- Nitrite
- Ammonium
- Alkalinity (dKH)
- Salinity/TDS
- Temperature
- Conductivity

And it's WiFi enabled. I thought many of these parameters were impossible to test without titration? Anyway, it appears they are in beta testing now, and I'm really curious to see if it lives up to what it claims to do. If so, this would be quite a revolution.

Ron Reefman · 11/11/2013, 08:40 AM

So where did you hear about it? Honestly, it sounds either too good to be true or too expensive to afford!

OceanRevive · 11/11/2013, 08:43 AM

We've heard about it, but there isn't much real data available yet.
http://blog.aquanerd.com/2013/11/min...ng-system.html

dtaranath · 11/11/2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

So where did you hear about it? Honestly, it sounds either too good to be true or too expensive to afford!

I couldn't agree with you more! But, I just don't understand how "all of a sudden" it appears that continuous monitoring of some of these parameters is possible. Unless there's some new technology, I would love to understand the science behind it.

E.intheC · 11/11/2013, 10:41 AM

Hopefully it's not "too good to be true" or too expensive (or inaccurate). I heard Alk was extremely difficult to monitor continually, though.

I'd be willing to pay decent money for something like this, as long as it works.

Ben_1313 · 11/11/2013, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E.intheC

Hopefully it's not "too good to be true" or too expensive (or inaccurate). I heard Alk was extremely difficult to monitor continually, though.

I'd be willing to pay decent money for something like this, as long as it works.

I agree! It seems like there's always a "miracle" product in the works so I'm not holding my breath. That being said I'm excited to see if it comes into fruition.

den75 · 11/12/2013, 02:54 PM

They just released a statement on their facebook page that it will be realesed early next year and the cost will be under $600. We'll see.

FlyPenFly · 11/12/2013, 03:04 PM

I bet it's as accurate as an API kit.

Allmost · 11/12/2013, 03:12 PM

I would think there would be alot of papers and patents out already, if a new technology like this was invented.

unless its part of a water change system ... I did that as a diy once, remove water, add to small Vial, with a PH probe. then using a doser I would add water and Acid, till PH drops to 4.5. the time it took for the PH to drop, is a function of Alk. ... but it was not accurate, and PH probe needed calibration on every test.

someone email them and ask them to just make a self-calibrating PH probe first lol

Reef Frog · 11/12/2013, 03:40 PM

There is a multi test machine being advertised now in reef magazines now. They say it is going to be installed in retail locations. Here's the link.

www.thriveaquatics.com

FlyPenFly · 11/12/2013, 04:25 PM

I believe that's going to be a multi thousand dollar machine and you pay per use.

dtaranath · 11/12/2013, 07:03 PM

This new system is based on "fluorescence" technology. Why has nobody EVER spoken about this before?

Fieroguy19 · 11/14/2013, 02:54 PM

If this thing can test with accuracy similar to Salifert or Lamotte then they will sell a ton of these. One of the most frustrating parts of the hobby is getting accurate test results and how to keep parameters stable. If you can hook this up to a controller it could automate testing and dosing.

I will definitely buy if it is accurate and cost effective to run.

Allmost · 11/14/2013, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtaranath

This new system is based on "fluorescence" technology. Why has nobody EVER spoken about this before?

+1 ... they would deserve a Nobel prize before this !

I am skeptical, cause none of the scholars know about this, nor are there any papers about such technology ...

Fieroguy19 · 11/14/2013, 03:42 PM

Fluorescence technology is not new. There are special fluorochromes that will bind to specific elements like calcium ions. I am betting the reason why we have not heard of this before is due to cost. Testing things at the scientific level is extremely expensive so most people here would never hear about some of the techniques that exist simply because it would be crazy expensive to use on your tank.

Obviously they didn't give us much info on how it works, but I am guessing it is some kind of fluorimeter. Whatever it is, they did a great job of keeping costs down to sell it for under $600.

Allmost · 11/14/2013, 03:49 PM

ok I found some articles about it.

sorry I thought the system is supposed to be in line ... like PH probe.

it would make sense if it was like the Hanna testers ...

Fieroguy19 · 11/14/2013, 04:55 PM

So I went to their Facebook page and they said it uses disks that test the water similar to the seneye. The disks last 90 days and then need replaced. Sounds like the disks have some type of membrane that interacts with the water and changes color that an led and sensor can read.

I am interested now about accuracy.

ayionna06 · 11/14/2013, 05:55 PM

I just wanna add that they are in the lab testing for phosphate also

Quick_Ben · 11/14/2013, 07:33 PM

I look forward to tossing the testing box, but have a feeling it will be staying around for a while. Exciting possibilities, though.

Cole_lol · 11/14/2013, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fieroguy19

So I went to their Facebook page and they said it uses disks that test the water similar to the seneye. The disks last 90 days and then need replaced. Sounds like the disks have some type of membrane that interacts with the water and changes color that an led and sensor can read.

I am interested now about accuracy.

I didn't see where it said it used a disk. Where did you see that?

Fieroguy19 · 11/15/2013, 07:04 AM

If you go to their Facebook page and look for a comment from "Lasse". They respond by saying that there is a replaceable disk that does the measuring.

jcolley · 11/15/2013, 07:29 AM

Here's a book on flourescence sensing. Who want to buy it first? Not cheap...

http://www.springer.com/biomed/book/978-1-4020-9002-8

It does seem too good to be true, but even if the accuracy isn't great, continuous monitoring could at least provide a trend which would tip you off to perform a conventional titration test and adjust dosing rate, etc.

Indiana Reefin · 11/15/2013, 11:48 AM

This would be amazing. This could take your tank to the next level of automation.

IOWNYOU · 11/15/2013, 06:56 PM

I'm totally psyched only to be let down later on just like so many other products the hobby. Just too many variables for this thing to work.

ReddyW · 11/17/2013, 08:40 AM

Here's a video:
http://vimeopro.com/mbean/mindstream1
Doesn't show us much though.

11/09/2013, 08:29 PM	#1
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	Mindstream Aquarium Monitoring System Anyone have any info on this new product? It supposedly tests 12 different parameters: - pH - Calcium - Magnesium - CO2 - Oxygen - Potassium - Ammonia - Nitrate - Nitrite - Ammonium - Alkalinity (dKH) - Salinity/TDS - Temperature - Conductivity And it's WiFi enabled. I thought many of these parameters were impossible to test without titration? Anyway, it appears they are in beta testing now, and I'm really curious to see if it lives up to what it claims to do. If so, this would be quite a revolution. __________________ ______________________ 220g mixed reef

11/11/2013, 08:40 AM	#2
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	So where did you hear about it? Honestly, it sounds either too good to be true or too expensive to afford! __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

11/11/2013, 10:41 AM	#5
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	Hopefully it's not "too good to be true" or too expensive (or inaccurate). I heard Alk was extremely difficult to monitor continually, though. I'd be willing to pay decent money for something like this, as long as it works. __________________ -Eric

11/12/2013, 02:54 PM	#7
den75 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 261	They just released a statement on their facebook page that it will be realesed early next year and the cost will be under $600. We'll see. __________________ 150g Reef Savvy DT. 55g Sump, Reef Octopus 3000 Int. Skimmer, 2 Maxspect Razor 27" 16k lights, Water Blaster 7000 return. 2 Vortech MP40's, Apex Controller, Genesis Reef ATO and Auto H2O change Syst.

11/12/2013, 07:03 PM	#12
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	This new system is based on "fluorescence" technology. Why has nobody EVER spoken about this before? __________________ ______________________ 220g mixed reef

11/11/2013, 08:43 AM	#3
OceanRevive registered member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 105	We've heard about it, but there isn't much real data available yet. http://blog.aquanerd.com/2013/11/min...ng-system.html

11/12/2013, 03:04 PM	#8
FlyPenFly SPS Killer Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,490	I bet it's as accurate as an API kit.

11/12/2013, 03:12 PM	#9
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	I would think there would be alot of papers and patents out already, if a new technology like this was invented. unless its part of a water change system ... I did that as a diy once, remove water, add to small Vial, with a PH probe. then using a doser I would add water and Acid, till PH drops to 4.5. the time it took for the PH to drop, is a function of Alk. ... but it was not accurate, and PH probe needed calibration on every test. someone email them and ask them to just make a self-calibrating PH probe first lol

11/12/2013, 03:40 PM	#10
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	There is a multi test machine being advertised now in reef magazines now. They say it is going to be installed in retail locations. Here's the link. www.thriveaquatics.com

11/12/2013, 04:25 PM	#11
FlyPenFly SPS Killer Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,490	I believe that's going to be a multi thousand dollar machine and you pay per use.

11/14/2013, 02:54 PM	#13
Fieroguy19 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 175	If this thing can test with accuracy similar to Salifert or Lamotte then they will sell a ton of these. One of the most frustrating parts of the hobby is getting accurate test results and how to keep parameters stable. If you can hook this up to a controller it could automate testing and dosing. I will definitely buy if it is accurate and cost effective to run. __________________ 90g mostly SPS

11/14/2013, 03:42 PM	#15
Fieroguy19 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 175	Fluorescence technology is not new. There are special fluorochromes that will bind to specific elements like calcium ions. I am betting the reason why we have not heard of this before is due to cost. Testing things at the scientific level is extremely expensive so most people here would never hear about some of the techniques that exist simply because it would be crazy expensive to use on your tank. Obviously they didn't give us much info on how it works, but I am guessing it is some kind of fluorimeter. Whatever it is, they did a great job of keeping costs down to sell it for under $600. __________________ 90g mostly SPS

11/14/2013, 03:49 PM	#16
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	ok I found some articles about it. sorry I thought the system is supposed to be in line ... like PH probe. it would make sense if it was like the Hanna testers ...

11/14/2013, 04:55 PM	#17
Fieroguy19 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 175	So I went to their Facebook page and they said it uses disks that test the water similar to the seneye. The disks last 90 days and then need replaced. Sounds like the disks have some type of membrane that interacts with the water and changes color that an led and sensor can read. I am interested now about accuracy. __________________ 90g mostly SPS

11/14/2013, 05:55 PM	#18
ayionna06 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 193	I just wanna add that they are in the lab testing for phosphate also

11/14/2013, 07:33 PM	#19
Quick_Ben Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 80	I look forward to tossing the testing box, but have a feeling it will be staying around for a while. Exciting possibilities, though.

11/15/2013, 07:04 AM	#21
Fieroguy19 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 175	If you go to their Facebook page and look for a comment from "Lasse". They respond by saying that there is a replaceable disk that does the measuring. __________________ 90g mostly SPS

11/15/2013, 07:29 AM	#22
jcolley Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 152	Here's a book on flourescence sensing. Who want to buy it first? Not cheap... http://www.springer.com/biomed/book/978-1-4020-9002-8 It does seem too good to be true, but even if the accuracy isn't great, continuous monitoring could at least provide a trend which would tip you off to perform a conventional titration test and adjust dosing rate, etc.

11/15/2013, 11:48 AM	#23
Indiana Reefin Garrett Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 847	This would be amazing. This could take your tank to the next level of automation.

11/15/2013, 06:56 PM	#24
IOWNYOU Moved On Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 24	I'm totally psyched only to be let down later on just like so many other products the hobby. Just too many variables for this thing to work.

11/17/2013, 08:40 AM	#25
ReddyW Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 197	Here's a video: http://vimeopro.com/mbean/mindstream1 Doesn't show us much though.