Reef Controller Input

[apuhl20]

I'm looking into getting a controller. Give me your best opinions.

[drtrash]

To get good info need to give it. Simple but all major bells and whistles is the ReefKeeper lite, do search lots of good info ($99)

[apuhl20]

It will be on a 180 mixed reef with sump and frag tank.

2 mp40s
light fixture with 3 mh and actinics
multiple heaters
protein skimmer
calcium reactor
phospan reactor
3 return pumps
uv sterilizer

Frag: 24x48x10
two mh clip ons
2 koralia 4

[Shard]

My advice... get an Apex. I started with the RKE but have made the switch on most of my systems to an Apex. It blows the RKE out of the water. I have no regrets about switching.

I see you have MP40s. The Apex has a module to interface with Vortech pumps where as the RKE (therefore the RKL) doesn't. If the RKE/RKL does get Vortech support, it will take forever. They still don't have tunze support for the RKE/RKL.... it has been 'in development' for what is going on two years I think.

Have any specific questions about a particular controller? I have used several and can give you any details you need.

Hope this helps,
Landon

[djkms]

Can't say much about rke/rkl but I do have a Neptune apex. Love it! It does everything including washing the dishes and walking the dog. My only complaint with it is that there are only 16 profiles available. I think you can do unlimited virtual outlets though.

Sent from my droooid using tapatalk.

[Dave VG]

Just bought an RKL and I like it allot. One of the best things about it....the price …$99 Don't need it to do the dishes I have a dish washer for that lol. It does all I want it to do right now. I’ll buy the add-ons as I need them. And now I’m spending what I saved from not buying those other expensive controllers on some very nice corals. And being able to buy corals with that savings makes me very happy

[Shard]

Originally Posted by Dave VG

Just bought an RKL and I like it allot. One of the best things about it....the price …$99 Don't need it to do the dishes I have a dish washer for that lol. It does all I want it to do right now. I’ll buy the add-ons as I need them. And now I’m spending what I saved from not buying those other expensive controllers on some very nice corals. And being able to buy corals with that savings makes me very happy

If you check his equipment listing, I think he need more than 4 outlets and a temperature probe, which is all the $99 package comes with.

[borderreef]

I just finished an order with Marine Depot for their RKL package deal. It includes the SL1 Expansion Unit and a free PH probe. I'll use it for ato, dawn to dusk lighting and kalk reactor.

[Dave VG]

Look I’m not knocking any of the other controllers never used them. But I can give kudos to the RKL because right out of the box it does what I want and is very very easy to setup which is always a plus these days. The other nice thing about it for me is I can add on as needed or as I can afford it. The only bad thing is they are usually out of stock (what’s that tell ya) waited like 3 weeks for mine. If your needs are more than the basic ones can do you could always go with an upscaled one like RKL L2 or L3 series. But if you had to go with one of them your probably better off going with the RKE plus.

[apuhl20]

So if I do the RK with the equipment I have listed, would I need the basic package or would I have to upgrade it?

[James77]

You'd have to upgrade with at the very least another PC4 and SL1 for pH, I think that is the level 3 system. That is $260, and gives you 2 PC4s and a SL1. You'd then be limited to one more module if you wanted to upgrade with another PC4, or the NET module. After that, you'd need to upgrade to the Elite of you went with Digital Aquatics.

Do you want control of the Vortechs? Control/Program/monitor online? How many watts are those halides and heaters?- you'd need to add in more power strips or expansion sockets to any controller if they are high wattage.

[apuhl20]

This system is not set up and running yet, still just trying to get everything planned out. I will be looking at probably 4 250 watt heaters. The MH is 3 250w bulbs plus actinics and moonlights. The frag tank will also probably have 2 150w mhs. The sump will most likely have just a fluorescent light. The vortechs come with controllers, don't know if its necessary to have them controlled with something different.

[dmorazan]

apex all the way. you can grow with it and with the system ( neptune is always coming out with new stuff), I love mine.

[Dave VG]

Here ya go check it out. Very nice systems for the money.

http://www.digitalaquatics.com/saltwater/systems

[Shard]

apuhl20,

Before you go with a Digital Aquatics RKE/RKL, just take a look at all the former customers and really peeved current customers here on RC. DA doesn't have a very good track record so far.

They came out with the SL2 module over a year ago, and still do not have a functioning Salinity probe. Thats over 12 months for some customers, who are STILL waiting for a replacement for their broken probes. Really? A year? Their warranty expired on the module before they even got to use it.

If they release the final myReef sometime soon, that makes the final release over a year later than the original deadline. More than 2 years to put out a >1MB program? They said the final one would be released this week, so where is it? Ohh yeah.. the missed yet another release date.

Just look at the comments on RB and here on RC. There is currently a thread in the DA sponsor forum where people are openly talking about, or already have, dumped their RKE/RKL for an Apex. See the top of the thread in this link: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...1940874&page=2

Think long and hard before you go this route. Take it from someone who owns and uses both the Apex and the RKE/RKL. My vote is to still get an Apex or Apex Lite. Learn from my bad experience and make the right decision the first time. Like I said earlier. The base Apex package comes with more hardware options and better software, and cost less than the similar RKE+NET package.

Hope this helps,
Landon

[Dave VG]

Nether is without there problems. Good luck with whatever you chose man.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=368

[Shard]

Originally Posted by Dave VG

Nether is without there problems. Good luck with whatever you chose man.

True, both have issues, but the RKE seems to have a lot more, and it takes DA a lot more time to fix them.

[Dave VG]

Ok Shard I gotcha ya man. apuhl20 thats all i have to give ya. Again good luck to ya. Let us know what you decide on.

[Shard]

Originally Posted by Dave VG

Ok Shard I gotcha ya man. apuhl20 thats all i have to give ya. Again good luck to ya. Let us know what you decide on.

Dave, I am not really meaning to beat down the RKE/RKL line of products, but I have and use both, and DA has really been having some issues for the past year or so. They really need to work on their public image, PR, customer service, and getting their modules/software/firmware fixed and released. I hope DA eventually works their issues out and catches up to Neptune, but if they are able to do it, it is going to take a while. That being said, glad you hear you are happy with your RKL. Any controller is better than not having one, and good luck to the OP with choosing one.

Landon

[James77]

Originally Posted by Dave VG

Nether is without there problems. Good luck with whatever you chose man.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=368

Right. But fire off a support issue email to Digital Aquatics and Neptune, and see who responds first. I have done both, DA had no response on the first one, and took 2 days with the 2nd email. A problem I ad last year took about 3-4 weeks to resolve from 1st email to receiving it back.

Neptune? Curt was emailing back and forth with me 9 pm on a Sunday night diagnosing data logs on my Apex. Any other email I have sent is answered within a couple hours, some within minutes. I have only dealt with a recall with Neptune, but it was prompt and resolved within a weeks time.

[Dave VG]

Originally Posted by Shard

Dave, I am not really meaning to beat down the RKE/RKL line of products, but I have and use both, and DA has really been having some issues for the past year or so. They really need to work on their public image, PR, customer service, and getting their modules/software/firmware fixed and released. I hope DA eventually works their issues out and catches up to Neptune, but if they are able to do it, it is going to take a while. That being said, glad you hear you are happy with your RKL. Any controller is better than not having one, and good luck to the OP with choosing one.

Landon

No problem man this is what RC is here for. I respect your opinion

Originally Posted by James77

Right. But fire off a support issue email to Digital Aquatics and Neptune, and see who responds first. I have done both, DA had no response on the first one, and took 2 days with the 2nd email. A problem I ad last year took about 3-4 weeks to resolve from 1st email to receiving it back.

Neptune? Curt was emailing back and forth with me 9 pm on a Sunday night diagnosing data logs on my Apex. Any other email I have sent is answered within a couple hours, some within minutes. I have only dealt with a recall with Neptune, but it was prompt and resolved within a weeks time.

Sent a question in and got an answer back in an hour. Not bad

[Charlies_Reef]

A controller is a must. If you have a basic system get a AquaController Jr; an advanced system get an Apex. Both are through the same company and have good customer support. I had A Jr and thought it was the best thing ever. You don't need a computer to operate.

[tinman11]

Originally Posted by Charlies_Reef

A controller is a must. If you have a basic system get a AquaController Jr; an advanced system get an Apex. Both are through the same company and have good customer support. I had A Jr and thought it was the best thing ever. You don't need a computer to operate.

+1 on the neptune systems i still use my jr it is awesome i think i like it more than my apex, either way neptune systems is the way to go for sure!

[apuhl20]

So it looks like the Neptune is the favorite. Now looking into it I see there are the Apex and the Jr. What is the difference in the two?

[Shard]

Originally Posted by apuhl20

So it looks like the Neptune is the favorite. Now looking into it I see there are the Apex and the Jr. What is the difference in the two?

There is also the Apex Lite.

Difference between the Apex and Apex lite, is that the lite doesn't have the extra pH/ORP port, or the 4 variable speed ports (tunze).

Someone else will have to elaborate on the difference between the ACjr and the Apex line, although I will say go with the newer more advanced one, get the Apex or Apex lite. It has direct network connectivity. I know with the ACjr you need a computer attached to serial, and the Aquanotes application to have networking.