Reef Keeper Light Lvl 1

[eugeneK]

Does anyone have this and how is it?

I just need to controll:

2 power heads
Heater
May be PH probe
May be ATO

Light can be on regular timers, doesn't really matter that much.

For $99 you get
1 controller
1 tem probe
1 4 outlet strip

Reefkeeper light lvl1

 

[jaybfresh]

I use it and I know a few others on here do as well. It's been great for me. However, for an ATO and PH probe you'll have to buy some extra (float switch, SL2 module). Out of the box you can control 4 outlets, so you would have room for your heater and powerheads and one other thing.

 

[sg1838]

Many of us have the RKL and love it (myself included). If you want a pH probe though you'll need to upgrade to get either the SL1 or SL2 unit, as the base $99 unit doesn't have the ability to plug in a pH probe. You can certainly control your heater and two powerheads, though I don't know if you'd be able to do any type of fancy wavemaking scheme with them as I know it has limitations there (I use VorTechs, so I can't really comment).

The nice thing is that with it controlling the heater, you'd never have to worry about a faulty thermostat in a heater cooking your tank (well, I guess it could still happen if the thermostat broke AND the temperature probe was bad, but both of those being true seems highly unlikely to me).

 

[Neoz]

Just picked mine up. I ordered the RKL Plus so it came with the extra stuff. Now I just have to figure out how to hook it all up and run everything with it..

 

[eugeneK]

thanks for the input guys.

Neoz, I was looking at the plus, it makes sense to get it for the price, you save a few $$ vs buying it separate.

Wife is planning on buying a bedroom set next month and i should be able to sneak it in while she is distracted lol

 

[sg1838]

The RKL Plus system is the one that I have. That will give you the capability to monitor pH as well, not to mention that you get the extra 4 outlet PC4 too. If you can swing the $279, that would be the way I would recommend.

 

[jaybfresh]

The only thing not good about the RKL Plus package is you get an SL1 module instead of an SL2, so you have an ORP port instead of salinity.

They should give you the option since both modules cost the same.

 

[Neoz]

Thats why I went with the Plus. I was going to pull the trigger on an Elite package but don't think I'm ready for all that.....yet.

I'm sure I'll have some questions about setting it up but I'll start another thread when that time comes. Until then just dive in and get the plus system if you can swing it. It will save you money in the long run. Good luck..

 

[jaybfresh]

Hey, I forgot to mention if you get the RKL Plus, I have a couple extra float switch kits so I could send you one to use as an ATO.

 

[sg1838]

The only thing not good about the RKL Plus package is you get an SL1 module instead of an SL2, so you have an ORP port instead of salinity.

They should give you the option since both modules cost the same.

I totally agree. I posted as such in the Digital Aquatics forum and was basically told to take my griping elsewhere. I still love the RKL, but I would MUCH prefer to monitor salinity over ORP (which, I currently don't monitor, even though I can).

 

[Neoz]

Hey, I forgot to mention if you get the RKL Plus, I have a couple extra float switch kits so I could send you one to use as an ATO.

Jaybfresh how does that work? I was going to buy a ATO system like maybe the Tunze. But your saying this works as a ATO? If you could point me to a detail how to that would be great. It would save me some funds because I have yet to hook up a ATO system. :eek2:

 

[jaybfresh]

They make a float switch kit that uses one of the switch ports on the SL1/SL2. Just plug your top-off pump into one of the PC4 ports, and you can set it to turn on/off based on the float switch. (Instructions come with the float switch on how to program it into the RKL).

http://www.digitalaquatics.com/saltwater/FLOAT

 

[Neoz]

Being new to the whole float switch stuff. Would I need 2 or 1 float switches. Just trying to decide which set to buy. Thanks..

Damn I just realized I hijacked this thread. Sorry eugeneK.

 

[jaybfresh]

Just need one. A second can serve as a backup incase something goes wrong with the first one (ex, use the first one to check when the water level gets too low, and the second to make sure it doesnt get too high)