Reefkeeper question
- Thread starter fishgate
- Start date
fishgate
Active member
The RKE. A RK outlet linked to the pH probe that activates a CO2 solenoid when it hits a specific level. I want a night mode where it keeps a different level.
n2585722
Well-known member
I did a have a day night control for 2 different pumps that I come up with for someone. I posted it in this post also http://www.forum.digitalaquatics.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=8306. If you had 2 solenoids or added relays to control from two different outputs then you could change the switch function to a controller function and use pH to control on each of the pump outputs. You would not need the trigger timer either. Hope this helps with some ideas to make what you want to do possible. FYI the Archon has a day night controller that will do what you want.
fishgate
Active member
Is the Archon compatible with my RKE modules or do I need to buy all new modules as well?
My CO2 bottle has a single solenoid but you did get me thinking. The system will take a dual output, dual solenoid from the single bottle (it is designed to be used on multiple tanks). In that case I would need 2 plugs but it would work.
My CO2 bottle has a single solenoid but you did get me thinking. The system will take a dual output, dual solenoid from the single bottle (it is designed to be used on multiple tanks). In that case I would need 2 plugs but it would work.
fishgate
Active member
I was mistaken, I can get multiple manifolds but just one solenoid to activate the canister. But good to know about the Archon. I will see if I can get just a head unit.
n2585722
Well-known member
It is available as just the head unit and supply. The Archon itself has several ports. Two are selectable as either pH or ORP. There is one iTemp port input and 3 buss ports. There are 4 switch inputs and 4 0-10v outputs. Two of these have the APC connectors. There are 2 PWM outputs. There is a wired network connection, but it also has wifi and even broadcast it's own wifi hot spot. There is a USB port which is where the memory stick is plugged in. It can be removed and backed up on a computer. Also the Archon does not have it's own display. It relies on you smart phone, tablet or computer. You just need a web browser. Firefox and Safari seem to work best.
I have not used that function before so I decided to test it to see what happens. The values I used are going to be different than what you are using, but choose values that will hopefully turn the output off occasionally.
I have not used that function before so I decided to test it to see what happens. The values I used are going to be different than what you are using, but choose values that will hopefully turn the output off occasionally.
n2585722
Well-known member
Also I forgot to mention that if you do go with the Archon get the IOE module also. It is the breakout box for the 2 RJ45 connectors. These have the 4 switch input ports, 2 0-10v ports and 2 PWM ports. The breakout box makes it easier to connect to these ports. It had push to connect wire terminal.
fishgate
Active member
This is SUPER expensive for just the head-unit. I don't think it is worth the hassle. BTW: This is for a freshwater planted tank where it is advantageous to load up the CO2 levels just before sunrise.
Looking at your pic it looks like you can set a "night" mode but can you set the actual time that you want it to switch to the alternate schedule? I need it more granular. For instance, I'd like pH to be 7.4 at all times accept between 4am and 8am, where I want it set to 7.0.
Looking at your pic it looks like you can set a "night" mode but can you set the actual time that you want it to switch to the alternate schedule? I need it more granular. For instance, I'd like pH to be 7.4 at all times accept between 4am and 8am, where I want it set to 7.0.
n2585722
Well-known member
You could set night mode from 4am to 8am, but that would affect all other functions that use night mode. That may not be an issue though if you are not using moon lights. It is not just the head unit since it has all the built in ports. It kind of replaces the ALC, APC, SLX and NET modules.
fishguy306
Member
I know what you are looking to do is possible, I used a RKL on a planted tank to control my pH/CO2 levels. I had the CO2 come on an hour before the lights, then turn off an hour before the lights. CO2 levels were controlled by my pH, I think I had it set for a one point drop.
If you want them synced up, so lights on, CO2 on, lights off, CO2 off, if I remember correctly set up the solenoid outlet based on pH, so above x.xx solenoid is on and open, below it is off. Then you can set up an alarm, just set it so there are no notifications. Set the alarm so if the lights (whatever outlet they are plugged into) are off, it turns off your solenoid outlet.
If you want it to be offset from the lights I believe you need to use an extra outlet, not sure if the RKE has the extra channels for programming or not so you wouldn't need to use up an outlet. This is the thread I posted on the DA forum for help, it might be of some help for you-
http://www.forum.digitalaquatics.com/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=14056
Hopefully that helps!
If you want them synced up, so lights on, CO2 on, lights off, CO2 off, if I remember correctly set up the solenoid outlet based on pH, so above x.xx solenoid is on and open, below it is off. Then you can set up an alarm, just set it so there are no notifications. Set the alarm so if the lights (whatever outlet they are plugged into) are off, it turns off your solenoid outlet.
If you want it to be offset from the lights I believe you need to use an extra outlet, not sure if the RKE has the extra channels for programming or not so you wouldn't need to use up an outlet. This is the thread I posted on the DA forum for help, it might be of some help for you-
http://www.forum.digitalaquatics.com/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=14056
Hopefully that helps!
fishgate
Active member
Just a regular plug - I have it plugged into one of my PC4s controlled by the pH probe as a controller.
fishgate
Active member
I checked this out seems reasonable but I don't think it will truly control the port based on the pH reading it just turns it on. I am concerned about just dumping CO2 at night since the tank does have fish and I could wake up to them all dead if something went wrong.
n2585722
Well-known member
So it is an 120v AC relay. If it was a DC soleniod I would recommend adding some relays inot the circuit. It would be safer to add the plumbing to the CO2 bottle after the regulator to add another solenoid. Do you have someone local that is good at doing this? Do you have 3 outputs than can be used for your CO2? The 3rd could be a virtual output if you have any from a PC1.
n2585722
Well-known member
You could use the pH input with a alarm to turn off the output if the pH goes too low. This could be the easiest option to use. Get your programming set up so you can test it out to see if the alarm is working correctly. Since the RKE has more than one input to the alarm you could program an output for you timing and use that output to control which alarm is used to get your two different values. You will have to use anding in the alarm and set one for off and one for on for the output input to the alarm. The second input would be the pH.
fishguy306
Member
I used this method for about 6 months without any issues before giving up on plants, didn't have any issues. It will open or close the solenoid based on the pH levels. What kind of control are you looking for beyond that? There shouldn't be any reason for this setup to run the CO2 at night unless you set it to do so.
