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This guy gets itYou could keep it by the sump as a leak detector. If it sparks, you have a leak.
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This guy gets itYou could keep it by the sump as a leak detector. If it sparks, you have a leak.
Alexa- Is cool but I never use it, Every time I ask something (Unless it is very straightforward) she doesn't have an answer for me and I have to revert to using google on my phone anyway.
Alexa- Is cool but I never use it, Every time I ask something (Unless it is very straightforward) she doesn't have an answer for me and I have to revert to using google on my phone anyway.
The Google Home is definitely more fit for this situation. Basically a stand alone OK Google. It will search the internet and give you what it thinks is the right answer. Unfortunately, Alexa can only give you what she's programmed for, which Amazon doesn't have what is basically an entire copy of the internet to crawl through as Google does.
That being said, for home automation I don't think you could get easier than Alexa and the cost of entry is really low. Google is catching up quickly with the number of connected devices though! They've had multiple sales where they knock the Dot down to $40 as well. With what we spend on corals and fish, $40 is a drop in the bucket to try out something fun and new.
Full disclosure: My original plan was to use Alexa at the cheap entry price until Google either surpasses the Echo system in functionality or matches it in price. The Google Home is more of an apples-to-apples to a full Amazon Echo, as opposed to the dot, but with better random question abilities and (for now) worse connectivity abilities.
I currently have my cheap LED desk lamp over my fish only QT set up to a TP-Link outlet controlled by Alexa. "Alexa, turn on the QT lamp". Boom. Light on. Otherwise, the TP-Link uses a schedule to turn the lamp on or off during regular operation.
Also, when testing. "Alexa, set a timer for 9 minutes".
This is exactly how i use it but the idea of triggering water changes is interesting (and a bit scary).
This is exactly how i use it but the idea of triggering water changes is interesting (and a bit scary).
Well sounds like I use Alex a lot more then everyone else. I have setup a fully automated house. I use Insteon devices controlled by an Universal devices ISY. I can tell Alexa to turn on any light or fan in my house. The thing I use it for the most is entertainment. I have a Simple Control that is a controller for your Media equipment. I can have her turn on the TV, Turn the channel to Fox, and even set the Volume to 15 all through voice. I also order dog food with it. It is also now integrated to Plex so i can have her suggest a movie in my library to watch. As for reefing i think it would be awesome to integrate my Apex to just tell it to turn of outlets as im doing maintenance. Easier then opening the app or anything else with wet hands. Also Yes I work in the IT field lol.
Yea I have The Harmony setup. It does what it says it does. I upgraded to the Simple Control for more control. I can set a specific volume and have a lot more fine control of devices. I have a scene when i leave my house i tell it to turn on the radio (for my dog) it changes everything to the right input and sets the volume to 10 on my receiver. no need to turn stuff down or even pick up the remote. And if you want to use the remote i use an iPad mini. i can view the guide on the iPad and dont have to mess with the guide on Directv.Sounds like I'm not too far behind you though! I'll have to look into the Simple Control. I was eyeing the Harmony Hub up until now.
well they are good for spying on you, and letting any authority that wants to listen in on your household. I dont have any smart devices for that reason. even smart toasters are a threat now, apparently. you could imagine having a Echo device and some kind of smart unit controlling your aquarium, and someone hacks in and shuts the whole thing down while you are outBeen thinking about buying an Amazon echo dot lately, but haven't decided whether or not to pull the trigger. Just wondering if there are any good reefing uses for Alexa? That answer might push my decision over the edge. Ha!
well they are good for spying on you, and letting any authority that wants to listen in on your household. I dont have any smart devices for that reason. even smart toasters are a threat now, apparently. you could imagine having a Echo device and some kind of smart unit controlling your aquarium, and someone hacks in and shuts the whole thing down while you are out
I'm honestly not concerned about that. There's not much likelihood that a hacker would hack a controller just to shut down an aquarium. As for big brother listening in, I'm not too concerned there either...got nothing to hide.well they are good for spying on you, and letting any authority that wants to listen in on your household. I dont have any smart devices for that reason. even smart toasters are a threat now, apparently. you could imagine having a Echo device and some kind of smart unit controlling your aquarium, and someone hacks in and shuts the whole thing down while you are out
well they are good for spying on you, and letting any authority that wants to listen in on your household. I dont have any smart devices for that reason. even smart toasters are a threat now, apparently. you could imagine having a Echo device and some kind of smart unit controlling your aquarium, and someone hacks in and shuts the whole thing down while you are out
I may check into Nexia as well.I am an account contractor,and we install nexia home automation Which is now compatible with Alexa so now Alexa can function your thermostats along with appliance modules and leak sensors, hd video cameraseven solenoid valves. Alot of options with some imagination, I'm about to install a solenoid valve on my raised garden bed to water my veggies utilizing the appliance module. Me personally... I'm just using the nexia app as I'm one of the ones who are weirded out by Alexa. Can't help it lol. All the nexia stuff is available on Amazon if you are interested.