joel sandoman Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I'm looking to get opinons on these or even another brand. I do not want to spend more then $250 Link to comment
Greenstar Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I like my reefkeeper II, but I have never had an aquacontroller so..... Link to comment
edge121212 Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 in canada the reefkeeper 2 is selling for $257 I just ordered it, I have heard alot of good things about it and this month they are giving a free PH probe PM me if you want the site, shipping costs are also very good Link to comment
S.I.C. Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I like my reefkeeper II, but I have never had an aquacontroller so..... Link to comment
midna Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 Using an aquacontroller on a larger tank and while it is nice, there is constantly something breaking. Look up the issues with their temperature probes too. Ugh. I like how much it can be customized and expanded but let's see here... on third temp probe, second ph probe, second dc4hd, dc8 is making noises, 220v expansion is in for rma. That is in one year. In summary, when it works it is amazing, but I'm quickly losing trust in the whole system. Link to comment
BKtomodachi Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 I use an aquacontroller Jr. and I love it. I have had zero problems. Link to comment
Phixion Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 ACjr FTW!! I have one, but I'm not biased or anything! Either one will be good, all comes down to personal preferance and features desired really. Either one is better than none at all! Link to comment
Izzue Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 Really do your reseach on this...make sure your ready for your future If your looking to upgrading in the future...you know the BUG gets ya. Check out the RKE... I got one of the 1st ones out...had some bugs...but now DA has almost worked out the system to perfection...still has some noise issues but its being addressed. ALSO...check out in their store... the New RK lite thats suppost to be geared for Nano setups 0.02 Izzue http://www.digitalaquatics.com Link to comment
glennr1978 Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 Acjr has data logging, RK2 doesn't. other than that, same thing. Link to comment
masterbuilder Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 Both are fine units. I use an AC and have had zero problems in the 3 years I have had it. Compare them all here: http://www.aquariumcontrollers.com/ Link to comment
davidr2340 Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 Really do your reseach on this...make sure your ready for your futureIf your looking to upgrading in the future...you know the BUG gets ya. Check out the RKE... I got one of the 1st ones out...had some bugs...but now DA has almost worked out the system to perfection...still has some noise issues but its being addressed. ALSO...check out in their store... the New RK lite thats suppost to be geared for Nano setups 0.02 Izzue http://www.digitalaquatics.com Thanks for that! Looks promising!!! Link to comment
SamK Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I am a bit puzzled regarding the RK line, including the Elite. Does it have a programming language to create conditional actions? I just looked at the Elite description on the manufacturer's web site (thanks Izzue). In terms of price, as it includes the hardwire control modules (that look like office power outlet bars) and both pH and temp probes, it's really no more expensive than the Aquacontroller III. Furthermore, the interface and ease of use seems substantially more advanced than the AQIII. Also, it seems that the RKE does not have internet capability. Unlike the AQIII, it will not generate a web interface that can be read remotely, and it will not send a frantic email if something is way out of whack. Am I missing something here? Oh, and thanks to one and all for enslaving me to an even higher level of geekdom than I ever expected. Link to comment
Mischeif Nite Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I use an aquacontroller Jr. and I love it. I have had zero problems. +1 Link to comment
wav3form Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 ACjr here... no problems with mine either. It's a little tricky to program but once you figure it out it's not so bad. It has really helped with the stability of my tank temperature wise. Link to comment
SamK Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 So no one knows if the RKE has a programming language? Link to comment
Izzue Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Heya Sam DA is about to release the net module for the RKE.... as of now...RKE has to be manually programmed...no software yet...but DA is also working on that...when its complete...its offered free. Izzue Link to comment
dtfleming Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 I have the RK2, had an ACjr and a ACIII. the RK2 is the easiest to program. The AC line does alot more for you in controls and custom programming. If your looking for a controller for a simple nano setup the acjr or RK2 is the best. ACIII monitors alot more, has ethernet capablities. Link to comment
Urchinhead Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I have and have used both the RKE and the AC III. The answer to your question is... It depends. I say that because it depends on your comfort level, skill level, how much you want to spend, etc. The RKE is a very expandable and well engineered unit with the key benefit being its expandability. Out of the box the RKE will handle everything that the AC III does except for backup power and networking. Networking will be covered with the new net module they are coming out with. Another example is the ability to monitor salinity. In the next year they will have an SL2 module that will allow you to keep track of salinity. Lastly you can add multiple SL1's in series to add more temp, pH, ORP probes and switches. Wiring in switches is easy with their included switch wires. In my opinion The downsides of the RKE are as follows. It is a 1.x release at the moment and while they have come a long way in terms of working out the bugs there are still issues cropping up. They are good about fixing them though. It also doesn't have a programming language. Everything is set at the head unit. To add network capabilities is an addition $150. And lastly it doesn't have a power failure/backup capacity. The AC III (and to a lesser extent Jr.) is a tried and true unit but is allot less expandable out of the box than the RKE. It has a programming language that is robust and flexible. It is well engineered as well but not as sexy as the RKE. You can add a series of temp, ORP and pH probes, as well as 4 switches to it via a PX 1000 unit (up to 7 px 1000's) but it will not monitor salinity or dissolved O2. To monitor those you have to go to the Pro unit. It comes with Ethernet and a web etc server built in. Wiring of the switch ports is a pain without the breakout box. It has an option to monitor for power failure and to adjust things accordingly. Apples to apples price comparison of the two. With each having pH and Temp probes; 8 plugs; network (ethernet) capability) is as follows: RKE: $640 (source digitalaquatics.com) AC III: $460 (source reefgeek.com) Link to comment
masterbuilder Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 That pretty much sums it up. Good post. Link to comment
Urchinhead Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 That pretty much sums it up. Good post. Thank you. Link to comment
milkman Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I just bought the ACJr package with the DC8 to control my Solana. No problems setting it up. The programming language is easy to use. I am already using 7 of the plugs on the DC8, so it is nice that you can expand by dropping on another DC4 or DC8. If you are going to control anything larger than a nano, I would go with the AC3 due to its expansion capabilities. You can find the bundle well within your budget. Link to comment
SamK Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Heya Sam DA is about to release the net module for the RKE.... as of now...RKE has to be manually programmed...no software yet...but DA is also working on that...when its complete...its offered free. Izzue Cool. Thanks for this info, Izzue. Link to comment
SamK Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Yup, great post Urchinhead. All I'd add (and you may have mentioned this, I'm not sure) is that the ACIII (NOT the Jr) can be expanded by cheap hardware for multiple sets of probes and tanks. This, it seems to me, is an important diff in functionality between the III and Jr of the AC line. If you have multiple tanks, you will need multiple Jr controllers; you will not need multiple III controllers. At least this is what I was told when I called up the AC people yesterday. Link to comment
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