AquaController Jr. vs. ReefKeeper2

SoCalJake · 07/14/2007, 04:50 PM

Another comparison port, I know, I know, but I have been trying to spend some money here and would like to hear any feedback, positive or negative on these two controllers.

I want to get my lights (MH and moon LED's), wave pump, pH, heater and fans on a "controlled" system.

These two systems appear to be pretty evenly priced. Thanks in advance.

areze · 07/14/2007, 04:54 PM

I went with the ACjr because the reviews were very positive.

I havent yet hooked up the serial cable to the PC yet, but even so, its done whatever I needed it to. which in all honestly isnt anything too crazy... pretty much the same stuff your wanting it to do. but all the same, Im quite happy with it.

it has a moon cycle option, but I havent used it; the moon is up in the middle of the day often, interesting fact if you like astronomy, not so interesting if your more about seeing the tank at night rather than simulating some kind of actual lunar cycle...

but it was easy to just set it to turn the moonlight on when the MHs were off. and thats what I wanted from it.

aninjaatemyshoe · 07/14/2007, 06:25 PM

The ACJr is one of the best things I've purchased for my tank. The RK2 is rather similar to it in terms of features. However, I think the ACJr wins out simply because it is more expandable. You can have both a DC4 and DC8 for a total of 12 outlets, versus the 8 outlets of the RK2. There is also the new moonlight controller that you can add, which seems like a pretty cool feature.

WinnipegDragon · 07/14/2007, 07:09 PM

I had the exact same question, posted a poll here even, and I went ACJr. Two reasons: Moon cycle control, more expandability.

cato · 07/14/2007, 07:10 PM

AC Jr.

jc9394 · 07/14/2007, 08:39 PM

AC jr too.

Entropy · 07/14/2007, 08:50 PM

I got the RK2, mainly because I had a RK1 and it was perfect for my needs, and two because everyone in this thread is buying the AC Jr., the RK2 used was very affordable.

Nick A · 07/14/2007, 09:18 PM

I was debating between the ACjr or an RK2 but ended up getting a ACjr since there was on sale from a local reefer. What I do like on the RK2 is that its very easy to show which channels are on or off. I'll most likely be upgrading to a AC3 when I get my skimmer and ozone reactor.

antiant · 07/15/2007, 12:02 AM

ac jr, but i do like the look of the rk2 because its small and can be flush mounted.

SoCalJake · 07/15/2007, 12:11 AM

So it looks like the AquaController Jr is (almost) hands down the winner. Since it seems you are all quite happy with these units, do you have any complaints, no matter how miniscule? How long to the probes last, are their any suggestions for things to avoid, personal experiences which were unexpected?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but they don't give these things away, as you all know, and I'm not getting any richer!

So many times on a product debate post people get into the "mine is better" mindset and dog the competing stuff. None of you did and I appreciate that. Thank you all very much for posting such helpful information!

Ebisan · 07/15/2007, 12:52 AM

Just finished installing my RK2 tonight. So far I've got my heater, 2 pumpheads, VHO, 2 MH, 2 fans, and sump light hooked up to it. I needed to get the expansion kit to accomodate my second MH. The only components I couldn't connect were the skimmer, sump pump and the moonlights. I may get more expansion kits for them. It's very easy to setup and use and I really like the display.

msn711 · 07/15/2007, 11:02 AM

Are the AC Jr's hard to set up or program? A lot of the posts in the Neptune System's forum seem to be about fixing programming bugs.

aninjaatemyshoe · 07/15/2007, 11:07 AM

I think my only real complaint about the ACJr is that the manual did not meantion that the DC8 will not properly switch an aqualifter pump. This could have spelled disaster as I was trying to use it with kalk dosing. The DC8s contain solid state switches, whereas the DC4 and DC4HD have relays. Relays are needed with the aqualifter because the load on it is so small. Apparently you can still use an aqualifter on a DC8 so long as you pair it on a powerstrip with something else (like a light, another pump, a fan, etc.). Wish I knew this beforehand! The RK2 uses a power strip that looks much like the DC8, but some of its switches are relays to help avoid this problem.

Oh, and one final word, don't bother with X10 devices. They may be cheaper than the DC power strips, but they are affected by noise in the powerlines and are not reliable.

areze · 07/15/2007, 11:17 AM

I found mine easy to program after I figured out how it works. every program is an on or off, its not both. I set my moonlight to turn on when the tank light went off. but I didnt realize I needed to set another system to turn the moonlight off when the tank went on. not a big deal at all, just need to get that mindset in your head when your working with it.

Bri Guy · 07/15/2007, 11:39 AM

AC Jr. I love mine.

One flaw, the time drifts, mine lags, but there IS a way to adjust it.

ReefRockerLive · 07/15/2007, 12:27 PM

AC Jr. Hands down! I found it easy to setup and I have yet to find something I don't like about it.

07/14/2007, 04:50 PM	#1
SoCalJake Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 38	AquaController Jr. vs. ReefKeeper2 Another comparison port, I know, I know, but I have been trying to spend some money here and would like to hear any feedback, positive or negative on these two controllers. I want to get my lights (MH and moon LED's), wave pump, pH, heater and fans on a "controlled" system. These two systems appear to be pretty evenly priced. Thanks in advance. __________________ I killed a six-pack, just to watch it die!

07/14/2007, 04:54 PM	#2
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	I went with the ACjr because the reviews were very positive. I havent yet hooked up the serial cable to the PC yet, but even so, its done whatever I needed it to. which in all honestly isnt anything too crazy... pretty much the same stuff your wanting it to do. but all the same, Im quite happy with it. it has a moon cycle option, but I havent used it; the moon is up in the middle of the day often, interesting fact if you like astronomy, not so interesting if your more about seeing the tank at night rather than simulating some kind of actual lunar cycle... but it was easy to just set it to turn the moonlight on when the MHs were off. and thats what I wanted from it. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

07/14/2007, 06:25 PM	#3
aninjaatemyshoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,333	The ACJr is one of the best things I've purchased for my tank. The RK2 is rather similar to it in terms of features. However, I think the ACJr wins out simply because it is more expandable. You can have both a DC4 and DC8 for a total of 12 outlets, versus the 8 outlets of the RK2. There is also the new moonlight controller that you can add, which seems like a pretty cool feature. __________________ You are not brought upon this world to "get it"

07/14/2007, 07:09 PM	#4
WinnipegDragon Canuckian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,276	I had the exact same question, posted a poll here even, and I went ACJr. Two reasons: Moon cycle control, more expandability. __________________ Working on a neeew tank! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25596043

07/14/2007, 07:10 PM	#5
cato New England Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CT Posts: 5,450	AC Jr. __________________ -Cato I swear it's an illness... Current Tank Info: On Hiatus

07/14/2007, 08:39 PM	#6
jc9394 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 422	AC jr too.

07/14/2007, 08:50 PM	#7
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	I got the RK2, mainly because I had a RK1 and it was perfect for my needs, and two because everyone in this thread is buying the AC Jr., the RK2 used was very affordable. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

07/14/2007, 09:18 PM	#8
Nick A Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Clarita,CA Posts: 974	I was debating between the ACjr or an RK2 but ended up getting a ACjr since there was on sale from a local reefer. What I do like on the RK2 is that its very easy to show which channels are on or off. I'll most likely be upgrading to a AC3 when I get my skimmer and ozone reactor.

07/15/2007, 12:02 AM	#9
antiant Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: diamond bar/brea/rowland hts. Posts: 591	ac jr, but i do like the look of the rk2 because its small and can be flush mounted.

07/15/2007, 12:11 AM	#10
SoCalJake Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 38	So it looks like the AquaController Jr is (almost) hands down the winner. Since it seems you are all quite happy with these units, do you have any complaints, no matter how miniscule? How long to the probes last, are their any suggestions for things to avoid, personal experiences which were unexpected? Sorry to ask so many questions, but they don't give these things away, as you all know, and I'm not getting any richer! So many times on a product debate post people get into the "mine is better" mindset and dog the competing stuff. None of you did and I appreciate that. Thank you all very much for posting such helpful information! __________________ I killed a six-pack, just to watch it die!

07/15/2007, 12:52 AM	#11
Ebisan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,141	Just finished installing my RK2 tonight. So far I've got my heater, 2 pumpheads, VHO, 2 MH, 2 fans, and sump light hooked up to it. I needed to get the expansion kit to accomodate my second MH. The only components I couldn't connect were the skimmer, sump pump and the moonlights. I may get more expansion kits for them. It's very easy to setup and use and I really like the display.

07/15/2007, 11:02 AM	#12
msn711 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Reynoldsburg, OH Posts: 974	Are the AC Jr's hard to set up or program? A lot of the posts in the Neptune System's forum seem to be about fixing programming bugs. __________________ Shay Current Tank Info: 120 Deep Blue Pro

07/15/2007, 11:07 AM	#13
aninjaatemyshoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,333	I think my only real complaint about the ACJr is that the manual did not meantion that the DC8 will not properly switch an aqualifter pump. This could have spelled disaster as I was trying to use it with kalk dosing. The DC8s contain solid state switches, whereas the DC4 and DC4HD have relays. Relays are needed with the aqualifter because the load on it is so small. Apparently you can still use an aqualifter on a DC8 so long as you pair it on a powerstrip with something else (like a light, another pump, a fan, etc.). Wish I knew this beforehand! The RK2 uses a power strip that looks much like the DC8, but some of its switches are relays to help avoid this problem. Oh, and one final word, don't bother with X10 devices. They may be cheaper than the DC power strips, but they are affected by noise in the powerlines and are not reliable. __________________ You are not brought upon this world to "get it"

07/15/2007, 11:17 AM	#14
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	I found mine easy to program after I figured out how it works. every program is an on or off, its not both. I set my moonlight to turn on when the tank light went off. but I didnt realize I needed to set another system to turn the moonlight off when the tank went on. not a big deal at all, just need to get that mindset in your head when your working with it. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

07/15/2007, 11:39 AM	#15
Bri Guy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin Posts: 2,995	AC Jr. I love mine. One flaw, the time drifts, mine lags, but there IS a way to adjust it. __________________ For my birthday i got a humidifier and a de-humidifier... I put them in the same room and let them fight it out. (Steven Wright) Current Tank Info: 40BR w/ 250w 14K Phoenix + 192w PC, 10g fuge w/ 55w PC, 10g sump, Eheim 1250 return w/ SCWD, ASM Mini G skimmer, Gravity fed ATO, Kalk doser, 1/10 HP chiller, 1 Vortec + 3MJs, all on an AC Jr. - Born on date 8-06 Pics in gallery! + 55g FOWLR w/ macro

07/15/2007, 12:27 PM	#16
ReefRockerLive GHL Mitras LX7 Club Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CT Posts: 2,454 Blog Entries: 1	AC Jr. Hands down! I found it easy to setup and I have yet to find something I don't like about it. __________________ -ReefRockerLive Current Tank Info: Rimless 67g \| GHL Profilux 3.1T eX \| 2x GHL Doser 2 dosers \| 2xGHL Mitras LX7 LED \| Abyzz a100 \| Bubble King DC 150 \| 2x Vortech MP40w QD \| Fauna Marin Zeomatic 2.2ltr \| Fauna Marin Zeolight System \| Fauna Marin Balling Light Method