BRS Dosers and ReefKeeper Lite timer- Help please?

[DracoKat]

I need a bit if help please. First time total newbie

I set up the dosers and timer, but i feel like I messed up somewhere because one of the pumps is moving when I feel it shouldn't, or one isn't moving and it should?

Dosing pumps set up to instructions (Also followed youtube videos).

RKL set up..
Calcium is plugged into #1
Alk is plugged into #4

This is where I feel like I messed up..
There are 16 timers on RKL
I set up Calcium to timer #1
I set up Alk to timer #4 (this is the one that has the doser currently activated)
Is this correct?

The following is my timer schedule.. I stole it from another site with minor tweaks- I will have to adjust accordingly after series of testings and such.

Standby is 00:00:00

CALCIUM:
Timer 1
DOW: SMTWTFS
Start 10:00:00 am
On duration 00:10:00
Off duration: 00:30:00
Repeat Count: 7
Oscillate: Off
Random: No


ALK;
Timer 4
DOW: SMTWTFS
Start 2:00:00am
On duration 00:10:00
Off duration: 00:50:00
Repeat Count: 7
Oscillate: Off
Random: No

 

[ksc]

Those dosing pumps don't have enough juice to trip the timer on some of the RKL outlets. There's one you can use, not sure which one but should be in the manual. From BRS:

"When used with controllers like the ReefKeeper or Apex, we recommend connecting these to a mechanical relay outlet, and not a TRIAC outlet on the controller's powerbar. "

I use a stand alone digital timer, both pumps on the same timer. My last timer I had to hook up a small fan to "trip" it, the pumps didn't pull enough power.

 

[DracoKat]

#1 and #4 are relay outlets on the RKL, I believe that part is set up correctly.

at times like this, I wish I knew someone who was in the hobby near by to come and set me up, lol

 

[ksc]

Yea, I had my nephew set 2 RKL's up for me about 6 years ago. The problem is you have go keep increasing the dose. Too many ways to make a mistake, that's why I "upgraded" to the stand alone digital timers.

 

[DracoKat]

can you tell me what timers you guys used, if not RKL?

 

[ksc]

BRS used to sell one but I didn't see it on their site. I just set up my new tank this year and used these

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/e6/e6ad1390-d5ed-47cc-b9b0-540c1dceaf31.pdf

 

[DracoKat]

I am reading how people are adding small fans and such to pull more juice from the RKL.. they're saying "Same outlet".. does that mean I need to add a dual outlet to #4 and run the dosing AND something else from the same single outlet, or just add somthing to outlet 2 and 3?

thanks for the link to your timer! I want to see if I can get the RKL working before I spend more money

 

[ksc]

Yes, you add the fan to the same outlet that the pump is on. This gives it enough juice to trip the timer. The fan does have the benefit of letting you know the doser is working (well, at least getting power). You can run your Alk and CA off the same outlet too, those BRS pumps are dead on so you'll get an equal amount of both.

 

[DracoKat]

thank you! I will see if I have a dual outlet adaptor to use

 

[mcarroll]

A triple tap is more common. And I would rather use a light then a fan so I can see that it's on. Just another idea.

(I ran my automatic top off this way when I started for about three years before I got confidence enough to take the light off the circuit.)

 

[mcarroll]

Are you doing the set up through the PC program hopefully?

 

[DracoKat]

I don't have a pc- only a mac. I may take a ride to my fathers next week and upgrade the controller at least @mcarroll

 

[mcarroll]

If you plan on keeping the reef keep her I would get a PC. I am also a Mac user so I realize how that sounds. However, you can get a used PC laptop for around 100 bucks if you book — make sure it's used.

 

[DracoKat]

thanks Just don't want to spend money on something I'll never really use.

 

[mcarroll]

Like I said, I know exactly what you mean. I literally got the laptop I have just for the reef keeper and TUNZE applications. It did take me a few years to save up for it though.

(It was literally about $100.)