Digital Aquatics

rams

rams

ramtheory
Finally going to setup a tank upstairs "29 gallon" zoa/ric/yuma/leather DT. I am looking to automate/control it as much as possible. For one I want to run a halide over the tank so heat control is a factor. Plus I want to run an auto top off. I want to make the tank more enjoyable than work for the wife. Yes as much as I want to do what I want with it. This is going to be a mrs_rams tank.

Controller:
Digital Aquatics Elite or Lite... what really is the difference? As far as I know the only want I have in mind is ATO and Temp control(Metal Halide OFF!). It looks like the Plus package on either or would suffice. So this where I hit the wall. Does the Elite just have a fancier controller display? Both will upgrade to Net although I could care less. Whats the really big difference.

Is anyone running a DA controller with the new float switches? What Configuration are you running?
I can easily control a Calcium Reactor with either or in the future? Right?

Appreciate the input.... I'm still going to do more research. Just looking for actual user input as well. Was looking at JBJ ATO but then thought about controlling the Halide and here we are... :D

Thanks
rams
 
is the only big difference Lite controls 4 modules and the Elite 12? and the Elite wave controls better, more options? Storm mode wooo. Just want to make sure I'm not missing something.
 
rbnice1 said:
Dont do it man. You get so much more from the AC side. Or the profilux.
Click to expand...

are you running ATO with your unit? are you running an APEX, III or Jr? I can get a Digital Aquatics Lite Plus to do everything I need and stay around 3 bills. Plus it will look better than an AC Jr on my canopy. I think I made up my mind. Not gonna drop 5 bills on an APEX just making sure I'm not missing the boat on the DA Elite. Now if I was looking for something to control my future fish room downstairs I think I would be in the DA Elite or Neptune Apex discussion with the endless modules you can attach.

I want to control: Lights, float switch(ATO), pumps, heater and check PH. Whats the AC gonna do that I might miss out on? I'm not into scaring my fish with thunderstorms and dimming lights. The kids freak the fish out enough.
 
You can get a Apex lite for a little more then what you want to spend on the RK lite and then you can control your future fish room as well.
 
Also I kinda of run my ATO with it. I use a duel float setup from autotopoff.com with a solenoid. My controller only allows power to it for 6 minutes every 90 minutes. I will add some float switches to my set-up for a 2nd back-up soon tho.
 
Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper Lite for the win.

Paired with an SL1/2/3 it does just about everything except cook breakfast. It's so easy to set up and use that I would suggest actually not reading the instructions. Digital Aquatics will let you trade in your Lite for the Elite for $150 if you ever want to upgrade.

The largest difference between the Lite and Elite is the amount of modules you can control. The Lite controls four modules. I use two modules total for my reef, a PC4 and an SL1(PH and ORP control), and I don't really need anything more, but I may get a Net module and a second PC4 someday just because I can.

Cant wait to see how her tank turns out. :)
 
now thats what I'm talkin about right there... stuff I can understand, persuasion. logik you got one or talkin out your ya ya?

I have been looking into the APEX Lite. I was already pushing my budget with the DA Lite Plus. Saving up for a road bike for this summer as well.
 
Ok Mike so your saying you can get the RK lite system with pc4 looks like its $100(great intro price btw.) Then add a SL1 so you can see your pH $67. Then add a net module $120 Then a second PC4 cause lets face it 4 isnt near enough $86. I use more then 4 on my kids 30 gallon softy tank. 16 on my sps tank.

Oh then you can upgrade to the elite only another $150 bucks.


So you end up spending $523 on a controller + what ever probes you need, that as far as I know has no remote control or programming. You cant name the outlets anything, does not do email/texting alerts. And any updates you want to do you have to remove the system and update 1 piece at a time.

Or you could spend $366 and be done with it and have unlimited upgrades down the line with a Apex lite...........

I may be missing something but to me I just cant see DA's being a better buy when its all said and done.
 
in my situation I'm looking at spending $100 extra to get an APEX Lite with float switch. I do like the fact that I can name positions, program it with my laptop, and it would come with network connection. What does it take to upgrade from APEX Lite to a Full APEX?
 
There is no upgrade. The only difference between the apex and the apex lite is you lose the built in second pH/orp and the built in 1-10volt ports. If you wanted them later you would get a aquasurf module. And for the second pH slot you can get those on a pm1 module then it can be set-up remotely via the aquabus(USB) cable.
 
Rick, I think you are missing something. :D

I use the RK Lite ($100), an SL1 ($67), a PH probe ($45), and an ORP probe(ORP is likely unnecessary for Dennis). Minus ORP, that pushes barely over the $200 mark.

And that's it. I shouldn't even count the probe because it's a consumable item. The reason I can get away with only having one PC4 is because I have one of those super-long, thirteen outlet surge protector/power strips That I picked up from the local hardware store for about twenty bucks. All my pumps - powerheads, return pump, skimmer, are on the strip. I just turn off the strip to feed. Naturally, this is considered "manual" control, but I rarely turn it off anyway. Furthermore, I could plug the whole powerstrip into one of the outlets on the PC4 if I so choose (probably wont though). All modules have complete parameter/threshold control/calibration.

I'd like to have the net module simply as a sort of toy, but realistically, the last thing I need is to be having my reeftank calling and freaking me out when I'm away from home. :D

Now, as you say, when it's all said and done, yes it could get expensive with every bell and whistle... but then you would no longer be comparing it to the Apex Lite, you'd be comparing it to the full featured Apex which carries a different price point entirely. I really like the full featured Apex, but I cant see the reason to get the Lite version of it though.

I'm not sure I'll ever have a need to upgrade to the Elite, but it's nice to know that I can without having to buy anything extra other than the "head".
 
I couldnt get by with only 4 controllable outlets. My kids tank with no sump requires 5.

Im at 16 with my sps tank and could really use 1 or 2 more.

As far as net access. Honestly Mike I couldnt live with out it. I think since you have never had it you dont realize what your missing. Not only is the alarming awsome, programing is easier graphing your stats over time is nice. Being able to not only monitor my tank from my blackberry but change programing or manually control something really comes in handy.

Im not sure why anyone would choose the full apex over the lite unless your going to be using dimmable lighting or want the tunze control.
 
Yankee and Red Sox fans will never agree either :lol:

Dennis, if you not dead set on the RK I may know someone who could give you a hell of a deal on a used ACjr. ;)
 
no ACJr for me... sorry. They are at a great price brand new as it is. I got what I needed out of this thread. Would like to carry on the discussion about the actual units themselves. Mike seems to be the guy I need to talk to about the DA unit. You and Rick the APEX.

The discussion about DA Lite only having 4 controllable outlets. The Plus package comes with another strip which makes 8 controllable outlets. Which is more than I need for this application all for $279. Plus that comes with the SL1 which should control the two float switches that I would need to buy. another $100 and it is network ready with email alerts later. Which the wife and I rarely go out of town without someone checking on the house and tanks. Call me crazy but if something is gonna happen. I would rather know about when I get home... instead of getting an email yelling krap, grab the kids, all while getting a speeding ticket on the way home. Monitoring the tank would be nice.

APEX Lite which comes network ready. Is there really a need to go to the full APEX? I'll ask this again. Does the $366 APEX lite come straight out of the box ready to run a float switch?

What software did you have to buy for either or?

I'm trying like crazy to stay under $400 with $300 my goal.
 
I'm running a regular Apex but from what I understand the ONLY difference with the Lite is:

1.) only 1 ph port apposed to two.
2.) no built in Tunze control

I don't use float switches but the capability is there with the built-in input connector to control up to 6 switches. Never used this feature yet myself.

You don't need to pay for any software for the Apex. Even the I-phone ap is free.

Honestly, since I run Vortechs anyway, I wish I would have waited for the Apex Lite to come out. The two extra features I got with the full Apex, I don't use.
 
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