ReefKeeper Elite and Lite owners

[Reef Bass]

DigitalAquatics is getting ready to release v2 software for these units (free).

Why should you care? Well, you don't have to, if all your components are currently running the same system software version and you're not planning on making any changes.

In my case, my system is running 1.10 and an additional power module I ordered came with 1.11 installed, so I need to update.

The v2 software allows one to manage one's ReefKeeper through one's computer using DA's myReef software. Makes it even easier to program the ReefKeeper and manages all updates to all components.

In order to use the v2 software, a v2 System Interface Device is required. All ReekKeepers ship with a SID. It's a 3 inch rectangular plastic "mini box" with what looks like a USB receptacle at one end and a ReefKeeper bus plug (looks like phone plug) on the other.

If your SID says "V2.0 myReef Ready" on it, you're good to go. If not, DA is offering a free SID V2.0 upgrade. All you have to do is send in your current SID and include a stamped (postage paid), self addressed return 5x7 padded mailer with it. DA will update your SID the day it receives it and send it back to you in your provided mailer the next day. I mailed mine in Monday am and yesterday it was in my mailbox with the V2.0 myReefReady sticker on it.

One can also order a myReef ready SID from DA's website, but it'll cost you $20.

Being ready from a hardware perspective now, I look forward to DA releasing the new software so I can update my system and take advantage of the new easier computer based programming and management.

Send in your SIDs!

If you need more info, you can check DA's website for SID Upgrade 2.0 Program or post here and I might be able to help.

 

[seminolecpa]

Be very wary FWIW. It is still very buggy even though it is no longer in Beta. I have been running the beta since its inception and honestly it has been and still is very unstable.

 

[Reef Bass]

Thanks for the feedback. I haven't run it yet so I can't say.

What types of problems have you been experiencing?

 

[seminolecpa]

Lots and lots of problems. The biggest one is intermitant shutdowns for no real reason.

Also get phantom update notices, issues with timers using dosing pumps, slots on PC4's not turning off, screwy readings from the ph probes on the SL1, RD1 locking up.

DA had very good customer service when the RKE first came out but it seems that they are more focused on selling now then making current customers happy. MyReef was in beta for almost a year before they finally released it last week. Let me tell you, they needed even more beta time. Their support site was supposed to address issues and concerns during the beta of myreef, but they would do stuff like edit your posts to only include issues they were concerned with and or delete them altogether.

Have more then $1000 into what has now become nothing more then a expensive timer and heater controller that isn't even that reliable. Would sell it and go with something like an Apex or something else but couldn't sleep at night putting this thing on someone else.

 

[Reef Bass]

Wow. Those are significant issues you mention, and DA's handling sounds "suboptimal" to say the least. Thanks for testing the beta software.

IMHO, if a company is going to use its customers as beta testers, it needs to be more responsive to those doing the testing for them, and to allow them to express their issues freely and without censorship.

I am a software developer and understand the development process and what you describe is unfortunate and not unusual.

Were you having these issues before managing your system with myReef or do you attribute the wonky behaviors to programming by myReef?

For what it's worth, my RKE has been behaving very well, though I'm not using myReef. I did run into an issue with a bizarre reading from the ph probe but that was after my pump sprayed the sl1 with tank water. Doh! Can't blame that on the RKE. Had to open, clean and dry the sl1.

 

[seminolecpa]

I have had the RKE since it went out in presale so I have lived with lots of problems. that was the kind of stuff I expected though with it being new and their customer service was very good at helping work through the problems. It eventually was working fine (for the most part) prior to installing myReef.

I took the bait and installed the beta of myReef (once you install it you can't go back). As i said it was in beta for over a year. In the early part of the beta, they were releasing updates with fixes and beign very responsive to issues. that stopped in about July when they basically became very unresponsive both live and on their forums coming back only with "we are working on the issues and stay tuned", finally right after Thanksgiving, they released the much anticipated update which still did not fix some of the issues.

I totally understand that when you are betaing a program there are going to be issues but these were some pretty big issues. Having your halides fire up for a couple of hours and then your whole system shut down and restart sometimes multiple times in a day doesn't do wonders for your equipment let alone the wear and tear it puts on your bulbs. It definately works better with the latest version but it will still intermittantly shut down for no reason.

Take a look at their support forum and you will see at least some of the problems. http://www.forum.digitalaquatics.com/viewforum.php?f=13 Take it with a bit of a grain of salt though because they do edit the heck out of it (i.e. removing issues that in their opinion had been resolved even if people were still having problems). I think this was one of the reasons they decided to set up their own forum vs. continuing to answer issues on RC like they did when the RKE first came out. I appreciate that there are lots of different types of equipment and setups people can have and there is no way to have something that will be rock solid for all of them out of the box, but this far into the product being released, it should work way better then it has.

I am not the only one that has had lots of issues with this thing btw. 3 of us in BAr bought this thing at inception and all of us have had problems and either have gotten rid of it or are looking to get rid of it. Way better reviews from our members on the neptune APEX.

Take it with a grain of salt. It may work fine on your system, just wanted to at leas let you know.

FWIW I have:

A new head unit, SL1, SL2, Net Module, MLC, Hub, RD1, and 5 PC4's so you can see the kind of investment I have in this thing.

Another piece of advice, keep your receipts and watch the warranty expiration dates. They will tend to fall back on it expiring if things go wrong.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Bryan, that is too bad man, Reefkeeper invested a lot of money in developing the product, if they are not careful they will go out of business. I am glad I didn't jump on the band wagon. Granted the new controller has more features, bells and whistles but it also have more chances to go wrong so I am still using my Aquajr and it has worked fine for me for years.

Btw, Do you know of a good reef store in the bay area beside Neptune? My tank is now safe to have SPS finally so I am looking to load up on frags. I'll also try to make it to the next BAR swap in Feb are you going to be there?

 

[fastrd400]

WOW, just sounds like one more reason to buy an Apex system.

 

[seminolecpa]

Yep I will be there (guess who is the new president). We are starting the planning for the swap now. Really encourage you guys to throw it on your calendars and show up (tentatively will be Feb 12th). I know it is a long drive for some of you but it is well worth it. We will probably be putting up formal announcements very soon with signup details etc.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Bryan, LOL I am not sure if I should congratulate you or offer my condolences J/K you are going to be so busy. Seriously though, I happy to see that you are going to be leading this club, I think you will do a great job and I'll try to go to more meetings now that my second job is finally stable I can have more time to do my own things.

Congratulation Man you deserved it.