Reefkeeper2

SteveNMegz · 05/16/2008, 06:07 PM

Hey guys,

thinking of purchasing this monitor/controller.

What are your experiences with it? have any pics of your setup?

Thanks!

heyfredyourhat · 05/16/2008, 08:15 PM

well the new reefkeeper elite is out, or is coming out soon.
I have the RK2 and love it. it is very good, looks as good as it functions

SteveNMegz · 05/16/2008, 08:23 PM

thanks, We'd love to get the elite but $490 isn't in the budget haha is it fairly simple to use?

heyfredyourhat · 05/16/2008, 08:33 PM

It has 8 channels(8 plugins) and each one has an on/off/auto setting. set to auto then it goes to like sump/skimmer, lights, heaters, other

and from there u set it up according. very easy. i haev my kights on ch.4 and 8. ch4 are set as lights(actinics) on at 7am off at 9.45pm, ch8 set as lights coem on at 8.45 am off at 8 pm...

heaters set at 78 ON and off at 80....

its simple really!

NUBIANTANGLOVER · 05/16/2008, 08:41 PM

I am waiting patiently as possible for the Reefkeeper Elite. However, it's taking soooooooo long. The only draw back I've heard that the RK2 may have is its lack of expandability. I've heard that once you use it's excellent monitoring system, you will soon want to add additional components as your tank develops and demands for it to monitor. However, it will not be as expandable as say the new RK Elite or the competitor, AC III.
Maybe someone could add additional clarification to this. As I too would love to spend less if the RK2 can indeed expand to do more.

will16 · 05/16/2008, 08:56 PM

Just set mine up in new tank. Works great so far. It has basic functionality but thats all I really was looking for plus I like the ability to flush mount. Looks nice. I use it to monitor temp, ph, control 4 sets of lights (actinics, main, moonlights, refugium), 2 heaters, 2 sets of fans set to go off at different temps, and powerhead.

Have it flush mounted in my canopy...

The only bug that I found is that if all channels are off except one, and you try to turn that last channel off, sometimes it won't actually shut off. Not really a concern for me since I always have something on.

Good Luck.

SteveNMegz · 05/16/2008, 09:28 PM

looks great!

thats one of the reasons we want tog et it also (because of the flush mount ability)

SteveNMegz · 05/17/2008, 10:04 AM

does anyone use the myreef program with it?

is it just one wire going from the unit to the computer to hook up?

BucNtears · 05/17/2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SteveNMegz
does anyone use the myreef program with it?

is it just one wire going from the unit to the computer to hook up?

what ph probe do you use with it?

xtm · 05/17/2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SteveNMegz
does anyone use the myreef program with it?

is it just one wire going from the unit to the computer to hook up?

Yes, one wire. It goes to your PC's serial port. (DB-9)

The myREEF program enables me to monitor my tank even in my car

The laptop that logs the data and acts as webserver sits right next to the tank

Eklikewhoa · 05/17/2008, 01:30 PM

Awesome set up xtm!

I have mine mounted in the stand and it's easily seen through the tinted glass I have for a door.

I love the RK2 and it's been awesome using it!

SteveNMegz · 05/18/2008, 09:27 AM

wow thats a killer setup haha

05/16/2008, 06:07 PM	#1
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	Reefkeeper2 Hey guys, thinking of purchasing this monitor/controller. What are your experiences with it? have any pics of your setup? Thanks! __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

05/16/2008, 08:23 PM	#3
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	thanks, We'd love to get the elite but $490 isn't in the budget haha is it fairly simple to use? __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

05/16/2008, 09:28 PM	#7
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	looks great! thats one of the reasons we want tog et it also (because of the flush mount ability) __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

05/17/2008, 10:04 AM	#8
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	does anyone use the myreef program with it? is it just one wire going from the unit to the computer to hook up? __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

05/18/2008, 09:27 AM	#12
SteveNMegz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Port Colborne Posts: 1,140	wow thats a killer setup haha __________________ Steve and Megz Current Tank Info: 55G Shallow Reef (30x30x14) - Equip: Ecotech Radion XR30 G3 Pro, 2 Tunze 6055, Vertex Omega 130 Skimmer, Ecotech Vectra M1 return, Vertex Rx1.5 Zeovit Reactor

05/16/2008, 08:15 PM	#2
heyfredyourhat Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 963	well the new reefkeeper elite is out, or is coming out soon. I have the RK2 and love it. it is very good, looks as good as it functions

05/16/2008, 08:33 PM	#4
heyfredyourhat Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 963	It has 8 channels(8 plugins) and each one has an on/off/auto setting. set to auto then it goes to like sump/skimmer, lights, heaters, other and from there u set it up according. very easy. i haev my kights on ch.4 and 8. ch4 are set as lights(actinics) on at 7am off at 9.45pm, ch8 set as lights coem on at 8.45 am off at 8 pm... heaters set at 78 ON and off at 80.... its simple really!

05/16/2008, 08:41 PM	#5
NUBIANTANGLOVER Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NORTH CAROLINA Posts: 517	I am waiting patiently as possible for the Reefkeeper Elite. However, it's taking soooooooo long. The only draw back I've heard that the RK2 may have is its lack of expandability. I've heard that once you use it's excellent monitoring system, you will soon want to add additional components as your tank develops and demands for it to monitor. However, it will not be as expandable as say the new RK Elite or the competitor, AC III. Maybe someone could add additional clarification to this. As I too would love to spend less if the RK2 can indeed expand to do more.

05/16/2008, 08:56 PM	#6
will16 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 1,812	Just set mine up in new tank. Works great so far. It has basic functionality but thats all I really was looking for plus I like the ability to flush mount. Looks nice. I use it to monitor temp, ph, control 4 sets of lights (actinics, main, moonlights, refugium), 2 heaters, 2 sets of fans set to go off at different temps, and powerhead. Have it flush mounted in my canopy... The only bug that I found is that if all channels are off except one, and you try to turn that last channel off, sometimes it won't actually shut off. Not really a concern for me since I always have something on. Good Luck.

05/17/2008, 01:30 PM	#11
Eklikewhoa Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Above water Posts: 1,442	Awesome set up xtm! I have mine mounted in the stand and it's easily seen through the tinted glass I have for a door. I love the RK2 and it's been awesome using it!