reefkeeper

[Anthony.Luciano710]

get a reefkeeper. everything with the apex controller is more expensive and its just because of how big the name is. the only difference in the controllers is that the apex will let you turn off power to something from a computer or smartphone. the reefkeeper has a net module too which lets you monitor the info from the internet so i wouldn't be surprised if the internet controlling feature came to the reefkeeper anytime soon. i dont know why their holding back on it.

so offically there are two i keep hearing Apex and reefkeeper. which is the best one . i really would want a controller were i can put a ph , temp, nitrate and sal probe. i hear that calicum probes have to be recalibarted every time to test so that out the way for me plus with all the other stuff u guys said.

 

[guarda]

Matt, you just tell the rk2 what the plugged in unit is and when you hit standby it will shut the sumps/pumps, and powerhead if the option "turn off in standby" is selected.

stunner, yeah. you tell the unit what temp range you want the heater to work in. i think the term used in the manual was hystercis or something like that.

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

ok i might be able to make a video of it tomorrow

anthony im gonna have to go to c ur tank and ur controller to get a feel for this

 

[jadakiss]

cool.

 

[Widdy]

get a reefkeeper. everything with the apex controller is more expensive and its just because of how big the name is. the only difference in the controllers is that the apex will let you turn off power to something from a computer or smartphone. the reefkeeper has a net module too which lets you monitor the info from the internet so i wouldn't be surprised if the internet controlling feature came to the reefkeeper anytime soon. i dont know why their holding back on it.

How did you come to this conclusion? The way I see it is DA tiered off their RKL/RKE to be more accommodating to several circles of customers. If you compared the Apex's base package ($499), you'll see it's quite comparable to the Reefkeeper Elite (NET); which is also $499. If all you're looking for is auto heater, and turn off several devices; the RKL will be sufficient for that, and you can always expand on it. Do keep in mind, DA's recent customer support leaves a lot to be desired. Don't take my word for it. Do a search. My RK2 still chugging along just fine on my Biocube, my 2 RKL units still up and running... and my latest addition, Profilux, what a controller! but STEEP learning curve and ugly no-frills looking.

 

[wayne]

Guess what they have a sale on the lites it's a combo package.
http://www.marinedepot.com/MarineDe...ums-Digital_Aquatics-DA11311-FITEMOMI-vi.html

 

[jadakiss]

good lookin wayne . i think its very cool to have a controller that can help u with ur reef tank but i love that i can put probes to monitor my tank with parimeters but the probes arent cheap .

 

[jadakiss]

so i can put any probe except cal alk salinty?

 

[beerfish]

Temp, ORP, and pH, (eventually salinity), are the only ones you'll generally find.

 

[charliethetuna88]

So guys that specail there running at marinedepot for 169 is that everything u need to get started looks like it comes with tem,ph probe,pc4 ,sl1,and the elite head unit ,for orp I would need to order a orp probe sep right and also I wanna hook it up to myomputer to see the graphs and charts would I be able to do this right out the box or is there another expansion pack I would need

 

[LongIslandAndy]

So guys that specail there running at marinedepot for 169 is that everything u need to get started looks like it comes with tem,ph probe,pc4 ,sl1,and the elite head unit ,for orp I would need to order a orp probe sep right and also I wanna hook it up to myomputer to see the graphs and charts would I be able to do this right out the box or is there another expansion pack I would need

Tagging along

 

[jaa1456]

It would be nice if the Lite was offered with 2 x PC4 instead of one. My lights alone have four plugs. Not including the Fuge light, Then you have the heater as well. So know even with 2 PC4's I would have 2 outlets open. Not to mention the extra PC4 costs almost as much as the RK lite itself, By the way Marine Depot is out of stock on their special.

 

[pweissma]

RKL is a great deal for money and there is nothing else close at the $100 price point. If you will be expanding and spending more money for other functionality then there are other options such as the Neptune Aquacontroller Junior. However the Neptune Jr is limited while the RKL is easier to expand and DA will give a $50 credit towards a RKE for a RKL head unit.

My problem with the RKL is trust. It's failed twice on me. I had a major head unit failure and it had to be replaced. I was lucky that it didn't cause a tank crash. The second failure was last week when my SL2 stopped working and gave me errors for the temp and pH. Rebooting fixed this. Again this could have caused a tank crash but I was lucky to be using a different temp probe to control my heater.

 

[pweissma]

DA does not make a WORKING salinity probe. Use caution.

DA doesn't currently sell any salinity probe. They stopped selling the original because of problems and they're slow to bring the replacement to market.

 

[guarda]

Wow. Doesn't sound too reassuring.

Mine has worked without a hitch. Only peeve I have is not being able to rename the channels like you can with the Neptunes.

RKL is a great deal for money and there is nothing else close at the $100 price point. If you will be expanding and spending more money for other functionality then there are other options such as the Neptune Aquacontroller Junior. However the Neptune Jr is limited while the RKL is easier to expand and DA will give a $50 credit towards a RKE for a RKL head unit.

My problem with the RKL is trust. It's failed twice on me. I had a major head unit failure and it had to be replaced. I was lucky that it didn't cause a tank crash. The second failure was last week when my SL2 stopped working and gave me errors for the temp and pH. Rebooting fixed this. Again this could have caused a tank crash but I was lucky to be using a different temp probe to control my heater.

 

[Mattl22]

I'm sold on the reef keeper lite With the expansion hopefully For Xmas
I was hopping for LEDs though lol when does it end

 

[chinatown]

My RKL controls my lights, heaters, temp & ph probe and also my ATO.

 

[nanchil]

My RKL controls my lights, heaters, temp & ph probe and also my ATO.

How do you control your ATO with RKL? Can you please explain?

Thanks.

 

[chinatown]

How do you control your ATO with RKL? Can you please explain?

Thanks.

You'll need the SL1 or SL2. From there, you connect the ATO float switch to one of the ports on the SL1/SL2, then you connect the pump to one of the outlets on the PC4.

 

[nanchil]

You'll need the SL1 or SL2. From there, you connect the ATO float switch to one of the ports on the SL1/SL2, then you connect the pump to one of the outlets on the PC4.

Ohh ok ... Thanks.