dadonoflaw
New member
i am trying to decide between these two controllers in terms of features and value. i wanted to get folks opinion and more preferably experience with both controllers? its the reefkeeper 2 and the neptune aquacontroller jr
RK2 vs. ACJr.
- Thread starter dadonoflaw
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crumbletop
New member
A brief summary:
The low end of the controller market is around $300 for a setup (pH probe, temp probe, controller, bank of outlets). The main competitors in the $300 price range are:
1) AC Jr. (Neptune Systems)
2) ReefKeeper2 (Digital Aquatics)
3) Premium Aquatics Lighthouse (Premium Aquatics)
The AC Jr. is the most flexible, expandable, and customizable of the bunch. Here are some of the main points:
AC Jr.
Controls up to 12 channels (8 come with the basic setup)
Complex programming capability (multiple feed timers, multiple conditional statements)
Can connect to your PC so you can view things over the web if you get the serial port option and can be controlled from your pc using the free version of AquaNotes software.
Has a digital input (also if you get the serial port option) that allows you to connect things like a float switch to shut off pumps if the water level in the sump gets too low, or to use it to drive an auto topoff pump.
You can upgrade to a more advanced unit if you ever needed to.
RK2:
Looks cool.
controls 8 channels (max)
Has some PC data logging software coming soon.
Lighthouse:
Plug and play webserver built in. Ethernet built in.
Only controls 4 channels
Will monitor orp in addition to ph
The AC Jr. with serial port, Lighthouse, and RK2 all cost right about the same ($299). I believe they all work pretty well. The AC Jr. has a bit more flexibility and functionality than the others.
The low end of the controller market is around $300 for a setup (pH probe, temp probe, controller, bank of outlets). The main competitors in the $300 price range are:
1) AC Jr. (Neptune Systems)
2) ReefKeeper2 (Digital Aquatics)
3) Premium Aquatics Lighthouse (Premium Aquatics)
The AC Jr. is the most flexible, expandable, and customizable of the bunch. Here are some of the main points:
AC Jr.
Controls up to 12 channels (8 come with the basic setup)
Complex programming capability (multiple feed timers, multiple conditional statements)
Can connect to your PC so you can view things over the web if you get the serial port option and can be controlled from your pc using the free version of AquaNotes software.
Has a digital input (also if you get the serial port option) that allows you to connect things like a float switch to shut off pumps if the water level in the sump gets too low, or to use it to drive an auto topoff pump.
You can upgrade to a more advanced unit if you ever needed to.
RK2:
Looks cool.
controls 8 channels (max)
Has some PC data logging software coming soon.
Lighthouse:
Plug and play webserver built in. Ethernet built in.
Only controls 4 channels
Will monitor orp in addition to ph
The AC Jr. with serial port, Lighthouse, and RK2 all cost right about the same ($299). I believe they all work pretty well. The AC Jr. has a bit more flexibility and functionality than the others.
dadonoflaw
New member
this is the general consensus i am hearing and that was indeed a nice summary. i am concerned that the jr cannot be upgraded in terms of the additional box that they offer for more connections and i would have like to have the power failure alarm that the ac3 has. so if i got the jr i would still have to upgrade eventually. i wanted to use this controller for two or three tanks though
crumbletop
New member
If you want to use this for more tanks, then you are really talking about a more expensive controller, or multiple of these controllers. The nice thing about the AC Jr. is that the power bars it works with (the "Direct Connect" or "DC" strips) work with any of their controllers, so to upgrade you would only need to purchase a new controller. If you are planning this for multiple tanks, make sure they are all relatively close by, and you should probably look at the more expensive controller lines. That means the ACIII or III pro, but also moves you into the realm of other controllers such as aquatronica and IKS. The RK2 and Lighthouse aren't expandable and so I don't think they would support multiple tanks very well.
dadonoflaw
New member
yea im starting to look at the ac3. there is an excel sheet on here about controllers that was very well done that i am using as a guide
reefkeeper II
reefkeeper II
I use the reefkeeper II and it is super easy to use, super simple setup, and I love that I have flush mounted it on the outside of my aquarium, so I can actually see when each and every piece of equipment turns on from my recliner, I recommend it!!!
reefkeeper II
I use the reefkeeper II and it is super easy to use, super simple setup, and I love that I have flush mounted it on the outside of my aquarium, so I can actually see when each and every piece of equipment turns on from my recliner, I recommend it!!!
northbay-reefer
Active member
ACjr is the best investment I've ever made
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