Looking for reviews on the reefkeeper.

Rudedog1212

Rudedog1212

Member
Looking for a controler for my new tank. The reefkeeper is more in my budget but all the reviews on the internet makes the reefkeeper sound like it's a waste of money. Is anyone using it? How is it working? Did you upgrade to apex? I would like to have the entire system on a controller but a 8 channel apex controler system starts at 550 where the reefkeeper is much less. Thanks for looking.
 
What do you want it for? I've been happy using my cheap reefkeeper. I have it run my 2 lights on the display and my kessil in the sump and my heater. Works great.

If you want something basic then its the controller for you. If you want to do crazy things and get all Bill Gates with your controller then get an apex ;)
 
I've been running the elite for 4 years now. Works just fine, never had any problems besides when I got water all over a Pc4. I have mine running fans , heater and lighting with no issues. At the end of the day the internal switches on the da and apex are probably very similar.
 
Good units, SUPPORT SUCKS.

If your good at figuring things out yourself, they are Great. If you need your hand held go Apex, Better support bigger user community to help answer your Questions

My ReefKeeper light with SW5 is currently doing the following.

1: Heater Controller: Keeps Temps Stable at 25C

2: Fan Controller, Turns Fans on when temps get higher than 25C

3: Skimmer Controller, Turns Skimmer off at Feed Mode, and turns it back on 20min AFTER feed mode

4: Pump Controller, Turns Return Pumps and Power Heads off during Feed mode or Maintenance mode

5: ATO, Auto Top Off, Plus ALARM when RODI Container is low (Beeps and Flashes so I know to Add water to Top Off Container)

6: Maintenance mode (When doing water changes, or working on the Tank, Flip a switch and Pumps turn off until switched is turned back on)

Getting things like the ATO to STAY OFF after Feed mode as a PITA to get working. as you can't add a Delay to a switch. But found a way around it.

The APEX Guys have it easy when it comes to programming, ReefKeeper people post questions and get ignored both on this forums, on the DA Forums, and when you email or call DA for questions.

So Cost: The Reef Keeper wins.

For Support, Programming, TONS of Modules, Apex Wins.

Me I like a Challenge!

Really depends on what you need the controller for. and what you want it to do.
 
I have used the RKE for 5 years with no issues. I agree that it doesn't do anything fancy, but turn on lights, heaters, fans, controls my CaRx CO2. Its a little diffucult to get the net module working, but once I figured it out works as advertised.
 
Yeah, I have an elite, a lite and the orginal reefkeeper (LOL doesn't work though). Straight forward controller which you can figure out just by messing around with the unit. Like everyone stated if you want straight forward unit that does the job it gets it done.
 
If price is a concern reef angel is a great option, and picking it up in Fremont ( probably a little to far to drive for you) gets you it even cheaper keyword : cash . The stories of it being to hard are from when it first came out but now there is a wizard that sets all the parameters for you.. I love mine fwiw

I've read many horror stories about reef keepers and a friend had his tank crash using one ( dosing pump stayed on) so I'm a little biased with the RK.
 
4Hummer said:
Good units, SUPPORT SUCKS.

If your good at figuring things out yourself, they are Great. If you need your hand held go Apex, Better support bigger user community to help answer your Questions

My ReefKeeper light with SW5 is currently doing the following.

1: Heater Controller: Keeps Temps Stable at 25C

2: Fan Controller, Turns Fans on when temps get higher than 25C

3: Skimmer Controller, Turns Skimmer off at Feed Mode, and turns it back on 20min AFTER feed mode

4: Pump Controller, Turns Return Pumps and Power Heads off during Feed mode or Maintenance mode

5: ATO, Auto Top Off, Plus ALARM when RODI Container is low (Beeps and Flashes so I know to Add water to Top Off Container)

6: Maintenance mode (When doing water changes, or working on the Tank, Flip a switch and Pumps turn off until switched is turned back on)

Getting things like the ATO to STAY OFF after Feed mode as a PITA to get working. as you can't add a Delay to a switch. But found a way around it.

The APEX Guys have it easy when it comes to programming, ReefKeeper people post questions and get ignored both on this forums, on the DA Forums, and when you email or call DA for questions.

So Cost: The Reef Keeper wins.

For Support, Programming, TONS of Modules, Apex Wins.

Me I like a Challenge!

Really depends on what you need the controller for. and what you want it to do.
Click to expand...

+1

I had a RK and it was a chore to figure out and program. I went ahead sold it and bought an APEX. It sure was night and day and if you have a question, just go to the Neptune forums and guaranteed the question will be answered in a few minutes (Literally). I still have quite a bit of stuff, like float switches, solenoids and cables for the RK all unused. if you want to buy let me know...
 
Isn't one on of the main reason to get a controler is to prevent tank crashes? If it overheats it turns off the heater and lights and turns on fans and set of an alarm. If the ph is too high it will turn of dosing pump and set off alarm. Yes it is nice to have the built in timers but it really is protecting your investment. On that note, has anyone tested their controler by creating a controled accident to make sure the controler worked properly? For example setting the heater a degree over the peak temp to make sure the controler does what your programmed it to do?
 
Yes, but also having to much trust in the controller can cause a crash. Example would be that the heater stays on, or the dosing pump doesn't stop, or even the controller shuts down. All without your knowledge. However, having redundancy (multiple temp probes, pH probes, etc...) does have is advantages and provides a better safety precaution.
 
Its all solid state equipment... I can't say that apex or da have a better switch inside their power boxes and that's really all that matters when it come to failures. If i had to do it over again I would probably go apex purely bc of the amount of accessories available.
 
I've has a reefkeeper 2 since '06, also have a reefkeeper light on the frag tank. Both have been reliable and straightforward to use.
 
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