Any Reef Keeper or equivalent Controller recommendations?

[Mako Shark II]

Given the SPS STN issue I've been experiencing lately, I guess I need to look at an electronic monitoring controller.

At $8-$12-$17 / individual Test Kit, I can justify it relatively easily. (Well “easily” is relative. Of course, when it comes to all things “Reef”, I can justify a new car too, because I have to Drive to the LFS, but its a safe bet she won't go for that.) So can somebody else please tell "The $pousal Unit", that I need a Reef Keeper or Chemistry Controller for Christmas. I've been a good boy. (Well..... sort of.)


What Controllers do folks like?
And Why?
What’s a “reasonable” budget to set?
Isn’t the Reef Keeper III out or pending?
Any pending Deals out there?

Is there any one monitor test for all of the following?
SG
pH
Calcium
KH
GH
Phos.
Etc.

 

[alkamar]

The new one is the ReefKeeper Elite. It is available to buy, but it doesn't monitor all that you ask. Here is the link:

http://www.digitalaquatics.com/m_product_info.php?part_number=30-0011-001

There is an AquaController 3 Pro and here is the link:

http://www.neptunesys.com/~clp/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=40

And if money isn't a factor, then here is the Elos:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...nt_Temperature_Controllers~vendor=&tab~0.html

I have looked for what you are asking about, but I have yet to find a do all controller. Some of the prices would lead you to believe they could do more, but it seems that technology is behind and over-priced in this area. But that is just my opinion.

 

[Mako Shark II]

Thanks Marcus.

Anybody else? Questions? Comments? Opinions? Dirty Jokes?

 

[joeycadre]

i loved my aquacontroller jr.

 

[MrRyanT]

I have looked for what you are asking about, but I have yet to find a do all controller. Some of the prices would lead you to believe they could do more, but it seems that technology is behind and over-priced in this area. But that is just my opinion. [/B]

I would have to totally agree with this statement. I have yet to see a single controller that will check and keep track of all that you are asking for Marty.

 

[Blindside]

I just got a reefkeeper 2 used, just filling up my new tank today so I'll report back soon.

 

[Rendos]

ReefKeeper line of controllers are easier to use/setup. Less flexibility in programming. This is true of the 1 & 2. ReefKeeper Elite - far more flexibility and expandability.

Aquacontroller line of controllers are slightly more challenging to use/setup. Far greater flexibility in programming.
True of Jr., and 1, 2, and 3. Aquacontroller Pro - very high end controller with high end price. Lots of options and expandability.

Aquatronica - One of the most advanced controllers out there. This comes with a hefty price. The controlability, expandability, and overall features make this one a great controller.

ELOS - haven't tried that one - yet!

 

[luckyarbuc]

I have the Aqua Controller 3 Pro, and it worked great on my 240 controlling items listed below. It is unaffected by power outages and I never had any glitches with it.

Temperature (heater and chiller)
4 sets of lights (you can adjust to yearly sunrise/sunset changes)
night time water flow
feeding timer to adjust flow at feeding time
auto top off

And I was only scratching the surface of what it can do.

You can monitor:
Temp
PH
ORP
DO
Conductivity

I am still using it on my Solana, but there is no as much to control.

Robert

 

[Mako Shark II]

Great stuff folks. Thanks.

Sounds like the AquaController Jr.

Oh Honey....?????

 

[friedrice2841]

Re: Any Reef Keeper or equivalent Controller recommendations?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13833910#post13833910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mako Shark II
Given the SPS STN issue I've been experiencing lately, I guess I need to look at an electronic monitoring controller.

At $8-$12-$17 / individual Test Kit, I can justify it relatively easily. (Well “easily” is relative. Of course, when it comes to all things “Reef”, I can justify a new car too, because I have to Drive to the LFS, but its a safe bet she won't go for that.) So can somebody else please tell "The $pousal Unit", that I need a Reef Keeper or Chemistry Controller for Christmas. I've been a good boy. (Well..... sort of.)


What Controllers do folks like?
And Why?
What’s a “reasonable” budget to set?
Isn’t the Reef Keeper III out or pending?
Any pending Deals out there?

Is there any one monitor test for all of the following?
SG
pH
Calcium
KH
GH
Phos.
Etc.

I have been extremely pleased with my Reefkeeper 2. As far as what to monitor; to my limited knowledge, the only things that are worth monitoring (in my opinion) are pH and temp (maybe ORP). I do not think that anyone has come up with a reliable, accurate monitor for SG, Calc, or Alk. I have been told that Phos is too hard to measure because of its variance.

I use the RK2 to monitor pH and temp. It also controls my light cycles, controls my power heads/return pump/heater/fans and controls my the maxijet that is on my Kalk reactor. Plus, I like the footprint and the display of the RK2.

I think I paid about $250, plus around $45 for the pH probe.

I know a couple of folks that use the Reefkeeper Elite; and it can control more devices; but the early units have been know to be a bit "buggy". Besides that, it retails for around $500!

The AC jr and AC3 are also good units, but from what I understand, not as "user friendly" as the Reefkeeper 2. Since I have not owned one, it is hard for me to comment.

In closing; I will say that I have seen a lot more "used" AC Jr's for sale on the Reefcentral Hardware Classifieds than I have RK2's. I will let you draw your own conclusion from that.

Hope that helps Marty.

 

[Mako Shark II]

Thanks Tim!

 

[alkamar]

Design your own?

Design your own?

If you really want control over what your Reef Control can do, here is a link to a "little" project I looked over recently.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=484912

I thought about taking the plunge, but I was afraid the water might get too deep on the programing. If my Linux super nerd was around to make sure I didn't waste time and money, I would take on that project. Nothings beats having a package product though for when something goes wrong. You just pick up the phone and dial the help desk located in India and they will follow the prompts on their screen to help you. If you did this project, then you would be the tech support. But if you built this you would probably be able to fix it anyway.

P.S. Marty, If you build this you will be my hero.

 

[scarson61]

Marty, I have the reef keeper elite, and after a few months of pulling hair the firmware is where it needed to be at. It comes with 2 power bars (4 plugins each), a SL1 that checks pH, ORP, Temp and has two micro switches (I use mine for float switches for auto topoff). I also have the moonlight controller (preorder extra). It is an excellent choice for a controller due to the flexibility of programing and the expandability, due out soon is the SL2 that will measure salinity, pH, temp and two microswitches, (I can use that 2nd pH for calcium reactor), they are supposed to have a Ethernet module for it soon as well so I can stare at my tank conditions from work If you ever come Oxford way you can come try it out and see what you think

 

[VivaBorg]

+1 for the Reefkeeper Elite(RKE.) Ive been running it for months now without any hicups or glitches. All bugs were fixed with last firmware update 1.07. For the money its the best bang for your buck, the customer support has been amazing, and the new modules that are to be released will really make the RKE one of the best controllers on the market.

Link
http://www.digitalaquatics.com/m_product_info.php?part_number=30-0011-001

Another option to look into is a Profilux. Although expensive, they are german engineered, and are ROCK SOLID. Most likely THE BEST controller there is.

heres a link
http://www.cherrycorals.com/equipment/home.php?cat=26