controller opinions for my needs?

areze · 12/11/2008, 01:23 PM

first off, i have a ACjr.

with that said, I need more.

tank is upgraded, and now I need to manage a calcium reactor and ozone. which I cant do to my satisfaction with the ACjr.

so, obvious solution is the ACIII or ACpro. I like the jr, it has served me extremely well, but I cant help but wonder if things have changed since I bought it as far as competition.

the reefkeeper elite appears to be terrible... according to reviews on websites anyway. the unit looks nice, I like having more control than the standard 3 button approach. but its limited in what it can monitor(though the limits are the things I need, so it could be ok, Im not looking to have less for no reason.)

and the only other option, the octopus. it uses X10 power switching which Im not a huge fan of.

so I guess, my choice appears clear, get the AC III or pro, unless someone has strong reason to suggest otherwise?

DaveMorris · 12/11/2008, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by areze

the reefkeeper elite appears to be terrible... according to reviews on websites anyway. the unit looks nice, I like having more control than the standard 3 button approach. but its limited in what it can monitor(though the limits are the things I need, so it could be ok, Im not looking to have less for no reason.)

What reviews are you referring to? The Elite has been a stellar controller for my 300g system. The cost is the same or less than the AC3 and there aren't a whole lot of things that it can not do that the AC3 can do. What do you want to monitor besides ph, ORP, and temp? I know that a salinity monitor will be forthcoming very soon. The system is also extremely versatile. The expandability built into the Elite's design is truly remarkable. It leaves the door open to all sorts of upgrades and additional control modules. Can the AC3 monitor ph, temp, and ORP, for example, 10 tanks at a time? The Elite can. I would strongly consider the Elite over the AC3 or ACpro.

hellssephiroth · 12/12/2008, 05:43 AM

+1 for RKE, its amazing and i have yet to have any problems.

jtma508 · 12/12/2008, 08:54 AM

Another for the RKE. There were some minor firmware issues early on but those were quickly resolved. Some folks have had light control issues because of RFI interference from poorly installed ballasts and wiring but that isn't an RKE issue --- that would affect any computerized controller.

My experience with the RKE has been outstanding. As has been my experience with DA. My RKE controls my Ca reactor, ozone, ATO as well as all the usual pumps, lights, closed loop, etc. An awesome piece of equipment. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.

And yes. It looks sweet to boot!

PSam · 12/12/2008, 10:48 AM

If you're happy with the ACjr, I'd stick with Neptune.

James77 · 12/12/2008, 11:18 AM

He said he needs something more. I decided to go with the RKE over any of the AC's, mostly due to expandability. Also being able to run 100' of bus cables(the AC's are only recommended for 10') is great.

I have yet to fully integrate into my system as I am still setting it up. I have played around with the menu and controls, and it is very easy to use and view. The RKE got a bad name for the initial bugs it had when it was first released. ALL products have problems when they go to the public. Digital Aquatics addressed these problems very quickly with firmware updates.

tgreene · 12/12/2008, 12:25 PM

Lighthouse PRO

areze · 12/12/2008, 01:47 PM

the RKelite seems to only support 1 PH probe as well. guess the elite is still a work in progress so they might add something similair to PX1000, but not yet :/ I want to monitor calcium reactor and tank PH. the 100ft probe lines would be nice, but Im not sure that I need it.

tgreene · 12/12/2008, 02:01 PM

LHPro offers up to 4 probe ports, which can be either pH, ORP or any combination thereof...

Slick Fork · 12/12/2008, 03:22 PM

I have the profilux plus II and absolutely love it. Limitless expansion, bleeding edge technology and fantastically reliable.

The support is like nothing else I have seen and was a big reason behind my decision to purchase, firmware etc. has never had an issue for me as they test everything exhaustively.

Check out the GHL forum here on RC!

digitalaquatics.com · 12/12/2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by areze
the RKelite seems to only support 1 PH probe as well. guess the elite is still a work in progress so they might add something similair to PX1000, but not yet :/ I want to monitor calcium reactor and tank PH. the 100ft probe lines would be nice, but Im not sure that I need it.

The RKE can monitor up to 63 pH probes. Clearly that's more then anyone would need but by virtue of the 63 module limit you can mix and match to your hearts content. I'll add that the SL2 will have not only conductivity but will add a second pH probe a second temp probe and two more switch inputs.

If you have any question you would like us to answer please don't hesitate to contact us or check out our support forum...

http://forum.digitalaquatics.com

Thank you,
DA

MrSandman · 12/12/2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PSam
If you're happy with the ACjr, I'd stick with Neptune.

I agree completely. No need to rock the boat if you're happy with the AC Jr. and familiar with the programming. The AC3 is just like the Jr except with more functionality.

Also, don't get the Octopus. I used to have one and i practically gave it away. It just don't have the same customization like the AC3 or the RKE have.

aninjaatemyshoe · 12/12/2008, 10:45 PM

I really liked my AC3, but ended up buying a Profilux. The Profilux absolutely rocks, but it is kinda expensive. They keep updating and adding new accessories for it non-stop. They seem to outpace every other controller in terms of coming up with new peripherals.

MrSandman · 12/19/2008, 03:40 PM

FYI, if you have an iPhone, an RC member has developed an app which will let you monitor/control your tank from your iphone. Pretty awesome i must say. There are screenshots on there too. : http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1520336

12/11/2008, 01:23 PM	#1
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	controller opinions for my needs? first off, i have a ACjr. with that said, I need more. tank is upgraded, and now I need to manage a calcium reactor and ozone. which I cant do to my satisfaction with the ACjr. so, obvious solution is the ACIII or ACpro. I like the jr, it has served me extremely well, but I cant help but wonder if things have changed since I bought it as far as competition. the reefkeeper elite appears to be terrible... according to reviews on websites anyway. the unit looks nice, I like having more control than the standard 3 button approach. but its limited in what it can monitor(though the limits are the things I need, so it could be ok, Im not looking to have less for no reason.) and the only other option, the octopus. it uses X10 power switching which Im not a huge fan of. so I guess, my choice appears clear, get the AC III or pro, unless someone has strong reason to suggest otherwise? __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

12/12/2008, 10:48 AM	#5
PSam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,036	If you're happy with the ACjr, I'd stick with Neptune. __________________ ..no vemos las cosas como son las vemos como somos nosotros...

12/12/2008, 11:18 AM	#6
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	He said he needs something more. I decided to go with the RKE over any of the AC's, mostly due to expandability. Also being able to run 100' of bus cables(the AC's are only recommended for 10') is great. I have yet to fully integrate into my system as I am still setting it up. I have played around with the menu and controls, and it is very easy to use and view. The RKE got a bad name for the initial bugs it had when it was first released. ALL products have problems when they go to the public. Digital Aquatics addressed these problems very quickly with firmware updates. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

12/12/2008, 12:25 PM	#7
tgreene Registered Member. Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 2,712	Lighthouse PRO __________________ WWBAD Current Tank Info: 157g custom Starphire display, 450g frag system, 285g fish QT system, 400g Shark tank

12/12/2008, 01:47 PM	#8
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	the RKelite seems to only support 1 PH probe as well. guess the elite is still a work in progress so they might add something similair to PX1000, but not yet :/ I want to monitor calcium reactor and tank PH. the 100ft probe lines would be nice, but Im not sure that I need it. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

12/12/2008, 05:43 AM	#3
hellssephiroth Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Spencer, WI Posts: 314	+1 for RKE, its amazing and i have yet to have any problems.

12/12/2008, 08:54 AM	#4
jtma508 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,232	Another for the RKE. There were some minor firmware issues early on but those were quickly resolved. Some folks have had light control issues because of RFI interference from poorly installed ballasts and wiring but that isn't an RKE issue --- that would affect any computerized controller. My experience with the RKE has been outstanding. As has been my experience with DA. My RKE controls my Ca reactor, ozone, ATO as well as all the usual pumps, lights, closed loop, etc. An awesome piece of equipment. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. And yes. It looks sweet to boot!

12/12/2008, 02:01 PM	#9
tgreene Registered Member. Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 2,712	LHPro offers up to 4 probe ports, which can be either pH, ORP or any combination thereof... __________________ WWBAD Current Tank Info: 157g custom Starphire display, 450g frag system, 285g fish QT system, 400g Shark tank

12/12/2008, 03:22 PM	#10
Slick Fork Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Wild Rose Country Posts: 83	I have the profilux plus II and absolutely love it. Limitless expansion, bleeding edge technology and fantastically reliable. The support is like nothing else I have seen and was a big reason behind my decision to purchase, firmware etc. has never had an issue for me as they test everything exhaustively. Check out the GHL forum here on RC!

12/12/2008, 10:45 PM	#13
aninjaatemyshoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,333	I really liked my AC3, but ended up buying a Profilux. The Profilux absolutely rocks, but it is kinda expensive. They keep updating and adding new accessories for it non-stop. They seem to outpace every other controller in terms of coming up with new peripherals. __________________ You are not brought upon this world to "get it"

12/19/2008, 03:40 PM	#14
MrSandman Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: South Bay, So. Cal. Posts: 5,408 Blog Entries: 6	FYI, if you have an iPhone, an RC member has developed an app which will let you monitor/control your tank from your iphone. Pretty awesome i must say. There are screenshots on there too. : http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1520336 __________________ June 2001 Tank of the Month. Yes, i said 2001. Current Tank Info: 112G 36"x36"x20" Lee-mar rimless. Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2293182.