RKL / What is the usability of the controllers w/probes?

csawwa · 12/16/2009, 09:50 PM

I am this " close to getting the RKL setup w/SL2 + pH probe and 2 PC4s to run a bunch of things on a BC29 I am setting up. But I am hesitating / unsure abut also getting the salinity probe to plug into SL2. The concept is right, sounds cool, but how much pain is it really if any? Does the probe actually work w/sufficient precision to use it? Does it not get out of whack frequently? The point is I am trying to save money, LOL, by not buying both a refractometer and the salinity probe and the salinity probe is ~$40 more... I'd rather get that if it's reliable/works right/can be trusted... but if I end up having to buy a refractometer for $50 anyway because the probe is either unstable, or I have to calibrate it too frequently... then I'd rather just get the refractomenter to begin with... (know which ones are good?) and/or how would I even know if the probe gets out of calibration unless I have something else to test the water with/against the probe?

Similarly w/a pH probe... how do I know every time I look at the results that they are good/reliable w/out having to run a separate test anyway just to corraborate/debunk the probe? And if that's the case... then really the probe sensing thing while cute is a bit useless unless you have redundant systems, no?

Chris

jayk198030 · 12/16/2009, 10:03 PM

I use a RKE to run multiple tanks. i have 3x SL2 w/ salinity probes and have no problems. I always calibrate my probes every two months. Everything in life it about check and balances. Nothing is or comes easy. Sorry to disappoint yeah. I still use my refractometer just to be safe sometimes.

csawwa · 12/17/2009, 12:44 PM

So... how do you use the probe readings... you trust them, or every time you check the value you double check w/a refractometer? Or always just check w/refractometer and you the probe readings as quazi true numbers that you can see on your PC for cuteness? Or... you have figured out the corelation between what the probes say v.s. a real value and you mostly look at the probe values and kind of know by now how far off they are?

Just curious... If money were no object I'd sure get it no questions and a refractometers and would rely on a refractometer at least until I could prove that the probe results don't lie and I am not unknowingly mutating my clowns into guppies. But since it's $90 and money is an object, I'd like to know if it's something that can actually be relied upon.

Thx,

Chris

DaveMorris · 12/18/2009, 03:25 AM

My ph and salinity probes are used to trigger email alerts for me if something is out of whack. I get alerted and then check things for myself. My ORP probe does actually trigger my ozone system to shut down if the redox gets too high, but that is the only probe controlled thing I have. Temp is a different story though. My temp probe does control my heaters and chiller. I also run two temp probes because it is easy to do and nobody makes foolproof temp probes.

evsalty · 12/18/2009, 03:34 AM

Like Dave said about his ORP probe you can use the salinity probe as a backup to shut off or turn on your auto top off based on salinity changes.

As for the refractormeter, you should already have one to use for your water changes and such anyways so I am unsuer why you wouldn't want both. You can get the RHS-10 atc (the blue refracto) from BRS for under $40 so it really insn't that expensive. Also the Sl-2 does not come standard with the RKL in any stage so that is an added cost all in itself.

12/16/2009, 09:50 PM	#1
csawwa Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: VA Posts: 9	RKL / What is the usability of the controllers w/probes? I am this " close to getting the RKL setup w/SL2 + pH probe and 2 PC4s to run a bunch of things on a BC29 I am setting up. But I am hesitating / unsure abut also getting the salinity probe to plug into SL2. The concept is right, sounds cool, but how much pain is it really if any? Does the probe actually work w/sufficient precision to use it? Does it not get out of whack frequently? The point is I am trying to save money, LOL, by not buying both a refractometer and the salinity probe and the salinity probe is ~$40 more... I'd rather get that if it's reliable/works right/can be trusted... but if I end up having to buy a refractometer for $50 anyway because the probe is either unstable, or I have to calibrate it too frequently... then I'd rather just get the refractomenter to begin with... (know which ones are good?) and/or how would I even know if the probe gets out of calibration unless I have something else to test the water with/against the probe? Similarly w/a pH probe... how do I know every time I look at the results that they are good/reliable w/out having to run a separate test anyway just to corraborate/debunk the probe? And if that's the case... then really the probe sensing thing while cute is a bit useless unless you have redundant systems, no? Chris

12/16/2009, 10:03 PM	#2
jayk198030 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tag, your it! Posts: 783	I use a RKE to run multiple tanks. i have 3x SL2 w/ salinity probes and have no problems. I always calibrate my probes every two months. Everything in life it about check and balances. Nothing is or comes easy. Sorry to disappoint yeah. I still use my refractometer just to be safe sometimes. __________________ I feel like 1.025 and i look like skimmate. I eat crap and throw up! What am I? Current Tank Info: I need help!!

12/18/2009, 03:25 AM	#4
DaveMorris VP, SDMAS Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny San Diego, CA Posts: 1,309	My ph and salinity probes are used to trigger email alerts for me if something is out of whack. I get alerted and then check things for myself. My ORP probe does actually trigger my ozone system to shut down if the redox gets too high, but that is the only probe controlled thing I have. Temp is a different story though. My temp probe does control my heaters and chiller. I also run two temp probes because it is easy to do and nobody makes foolproof temp probes. __________________ Dave My 130g tank: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2387989 Current Tank Info: 130g build in progress

12/17/2009, 12:44 PM	#3
csawwa Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: VA Posts: 9	So... how do you use the probe readings... you trust them, or every time you check the value you double check w/a refractometer? Or always just check w/refractometer and you the probe readings as quazi true numbers that you can see on your PC for cuteness? Or... you have figured out the corelation between what the probes say v.s. a real value and you mostly look at the probe values and kind of know by now how far off they are? Just curious... If money were no object I'd sure get it no questions and a refractometers and would rely on a refractometer at least until I could prove that the probe results don't lie and I am not unknowingly mutating my clowns into guppies. But since it's $90 and money is an object, I'd like to know if it's something that can actually be relied upon. Thx, Chris

12/18/2009, 03:34 AM	#5
evsalty hmmmmmm Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NW Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,531	Like Dave said about his ORP probe you can use the salinity probe as a backup to shut off or turn on your auto top off based on salinity changes. As for the refractormeter, you should already have one to use for your water changes and such anyways so I am unsuer why you wouldn't want both. You can get the RHS-10 atc (the blue refracto) from BRS for under $40 so it really insn't that expensive. Also the Sl-2 does not come standard with the RKL in any stage so that is an added cost all in itself.