Aquacontroller Jr vs ReefKeeper 2??
- Thread starter MattG
- Start date
the new reefkeeper has some added features but it's main drawback (or draw) is that it lacks a customizable programing language.
The reefkeeper 2 may be easier to use at first...
All in all i bought the aquacontroller jr a few months ago and love the thing... but back then it wasn't a hard pick. This new reefkeeper is much more competetive.
Price would be a big decision maker for me if i was to make the purchase now.
The reefkeeper 2 may be easier to use at first...
All in all i bought the aquacontroller jr a few months ago and love the thing... but back then it wasn't a hard pick. This new reefkeeper is much more competetive.
Price would be a big decision maker for me if i was to make the purchase now.
mattseattle
New member
I also bought the Aquacontroller Junior. With the Reefkeeper you can only control up to 8 outlets. On the Junior you can control up to 12. Also, the programming language on the Junior makes it a lot more configurable than the RK 2.
I honestly don't see why anyone would buy the RK 2 over the Junior.
I honestly don't see why anyone would buy the RK 2 over the Junior.
Larry Waughon
Active member
The reef keeper is a great product. The reef keeper 2 is even better. You can add on and control more than 8 outlets and it is very easy to use. A friend has a aquacontroller jr and says nothing but good about it also. Two good products makes it a hard choice.
Casino
Tang Police Fugitive
So is PA still running the group buy on the Jr's and dc8? I would like to order one but im not sure if the sale is still going on or if they are on backorder even tho the link does let me purchase it and theres no indication that its over or that they are not in stock.
mattseattle
New member
The RK 2 is more expensive. You can get the pH probe, the 8 outlet power strip for the Junior and the main controller unit for cheaper than just the base RK 2.
I think PA is still having the group buy. Go to the PA website and search for Aquacontroller Junior and it will list the Group Buy.
Prices are:
Aquacontroller Junior - 164.90
DC8 - 75.00
pH probe - 34.95
The other nice feature about the Junior is Data logging. It looks like you can even use AquaNotes light now to graph and download the date from the Junior.
I think PA is still having the group buy. Go to the PA website and search for Aquacontroller Junior and it will list the Group Buy.
Prices are:
Aquacontroller Junior - 164.90
DC8 - 75.00
pH probe - 34.95
The other nice feature about the Junior is Data logging. It looks like you can even use AquaNotes light now to graph and download the date from the Junior.
I'm looking for a controller myself, and I have to agree with Matt. From comparing the manuals/websites it looks like advantages of the Jr over the RK2 are:
- Expandable to 12 devices. RK2 limited to 8 max.
- Datalogging on Jr. Not present on RK2
- Seasonal lighting schedule on Jr. Not present on RK2.
- Seasonal temperature variation on Jr. Not present on RK2.
- Lunar cycle simulation.
- Computer port and free windows Software for datalogging on Jr. Not present/implemented on RK2.
- Switch input on serial port version of Jr. Not present on RK2.
- More flexible configuration on Jr.
- The Jr. costs $250 and the RK2 is $270.
The RK2 advantages are:
- LCD display dimming. Not present on Jr.
Unless I'm missing something it looks like the Jr has many more features than the reefkeeper 2, and it costs less. Am I missing something?
- Expandable to 12 devices. RK2 limited to 8 max.
- Datalogging on Jr. Not present on RK2
- Seasonal lighting schedule on Jr. Not present on RK2.
- Seasonal temperature variation on Jr. Not present on RK2.
- Lunar cycle simulation.
- Computer port and free windows Software for datalogging on Jr. Not present/implemented on RK2.
- Switch input on serial port version of Jr. Not present on RK2.
- More flexible configuration on Jr.
- The Jr. costs $250 and the RK2 is $270.
The RK2 advantages are:
- LCD display dimming. Not present on Jr.
Unless I'm missing something it looks like the Jr has many more features than the reefkeeper 2, and it costs less. Am I missing something?
mattseattle
New member
also I don't think the pH probe is included for the 270.00 price on the RK2 so that is probably another 30 - 40.00 on top of the 270.00
I think the feature set of the Junior is far superior to the RK2.
Here is an example.
On the RK2 you have FEED mode and when you press the FEED button your sump pump will turn off for the pre-specified time and that is it.
On the Junior you have have the FEED mode where it will turn off the SUMP pump for x amount of minutes along with shutting down your skimmer pump for another set amount of time. It's the flexibilty of the programming language of the Junior that allows you to do things like that.
I think the feature set of the Junior is far superior to the RK2.
Here is an example.
On the RK2 you have FEED mode and when you press the FEED button your sump pump will turn off for the pre-specified time and that is it.
On the Junior you have have the FEED mode where it will turn off the SUMP pump for x amount of minutes along with shutting down your skimmer pump for another set amount of time. It's the flexibilty of the programming language of the Junior that allows you to do things like that.
MattG
Premium Member
mattseatle: i asked about that exact question with the feed mode over in both the digital aquatics and neptune forums. As you said only the AQ jr could do it.
So far i am stearing in the direction of the AQ Jr because it seems much more flexible. The prices are basically the same when you use PA group buy.
So far i am stearing in the direction of the AQ Jr because it seems much more flexible. The prices are basically the same when you use PA group buy.
Larry Waughon
Active member
On the RK2 you can program feed mode to shut down as many things as you would like shut down for between 1-99 min.
MattG
Premium Member
but you cant set different things to shut off for different amounts of time.
In my case when i start the feed mode i wanted to turn off my closed loop for 10 mins and the skimmer for 60 mins. I asked about this in the digital aquatics forum and they said the RK2 cant do it. It could only turn off the closed loop and skimmer for the same length of time.
In my case when i start the feed mode i wanted to turn off my closed loop for 10 mins and the skimmer for 60 mins. I asked about this in the digital aquatics forum and they said the RK2 cant do it. It could only turn off the closed loop and skimmer for the same length of time.
marcrothschild
Active member
where? the list price is 270.00
crumbletop
New member
want2reef: Where can you get the RK2 for $230?
Others: I am looking to get either the RK2 or the AC Jr. This thread is timely and very helpful. How rock-solid is the AC Jr.? I see the DC8 had a recall because of a bad ground. I'm leaning toward the AC Jr. because the RK2 is brand new and I think probably needs a firmware rev or 2 to get kinks worked out. I also like the AC programmability. The AC Jr. box looks kind of flimsy from the pics, though. My main immediate need is temp controller function, and timing on the lights, but I think I'll also go in for the pH monitor as well. Anyone have pics of their AC Jr. setup?
[edit] Also, is the group buy controller from PA one with the serial cable (switched input)?
Jack
Others: I am looking to get either the RK2 or the AC Jr. This thread is timely and very helpful. How rock-solid is the AC Jr.? I see the DC8 had a recall because of a bad ground. I'm leaning toward the AC Jr. because the RK2 is brand new and I think probably needs a firmware rev or 2 to get kinks worked out. I also like the AC programmability. The AC Jr. box looks kind of flimsy from the pics, though. My main immediate need is temp controller function, and timing on the lights, but I think I'll also go in for the pH monitor as well. Anyone have pics of their AC Jr. setup?
[edit] Also, is the group buy controller from PA one with the serial cable (switched input)?
Jack
want2reef
Active member
James77
Team RC
I have an Ac Jr. and I have absolutely no complaints about it. The recall on the bad ground was taken care of very well by Neptune. The unit is not flimsy, but it is very simply built.
When I was deciding between the RK and AC, the thing that sold me was the AC's ability to kill the lights if the temp got too high, as I completely lost my previous tank from high temp in the summer.
James
When I was deciding between the RK and AC, the thing that sold me was the AC's ability to kill the lights if the temp got too high, as I completely lost my previous tank from high temp in the summer.
James
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