What Controller Are you Running?
- Thread starter btkrausen
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OP
OP
btkrausen
Fish Hoarder
Feel free to come down and check out the Apex if you want. I'm sure somebody else in the club has a RKL you could "demo" as well.
Edit: Looks like somebody between our posts would be a perfect candidate
kellyjn
Active Member
How flexible are these timer functions? I'm looking between the Apex and DA Elite.
Can you set up a timer that is functional depending on if other outlets are on/off? Like a timer on outlet #1, that is set for 15 mintues every four hours. Now can that be dependent on the status of outlet #2, so that if outlet #2 is turned on, the timer function on outlet #1 is ignored? What about adding PH to the equation? If PH is above set point, can timer function #1 also be ignored? Now add a float valve. If float is too high, ignore timer funtion also? Can programming be combined to incorporate everything mentioned like this?
Not that I need it do that, I'm just trying to get a grasp on how flexible these things can be, and find out if one might have the capability while one doesn't.
Can you set up a timer that is functional depending on if other outlets are on/off? Like a timer on outlet #1, that is set for 15 mintues every four hours. Now can that be dependent on the status of outlet #2, so that if outlet #2 is turned on, the timer function on outlet #1 is ignored? What about adding PH to the equation? If PH is above set point, can timer function #1 also be ignored? Now add a float valve. If float is too high, ignore timer funtion also? Can programming be combined to incorporate everything mentioned like this?
Not that I need it do that, I'm just trying to get a grasp on how flexible these things can be, and find out if one might have the capability while one doesn't.
Anthony Calfo
Active Member
kinda funny here...and Octopus 3000 from 1996. Still running, looks brand new (and yes...has actually been in operation the whole time. LOL)
OP
OP
btkrausen
Fish Hoarder
Yes, you can put in advanced commands that say if Pump 1 is on, then Pump 2 is off. I did this for two powerheads. Did an Oscillate timer on one powerhead, like one for 2 minutes, off for 1.
Then, on the other, I configured:
Pump 1 = ON Then Pump 2 = Off
If Pump 1= Off Then Pump 2 = On
This turned one on when the other turned off. You can also say if pH > 8.6 then Dosing Pump = Off. This would precent a dosing pump from pumping in kalk when pH is too high.
Lastly, there are ways to connect a relay to a float valve to prevent a pump from dosing. I haven't done it myself, but I've seen threads on RC about it.
Harry_Y
Valuable Member
I have the ReefKeper Elite:
I have it controlling 4 dimable T5 ballast (two tubes each) so I get a really
nice ramping up and down doe my day (lighting curve close to natural).
(I also have it run my moonlights to follow the Lunar cycle)
(it also turns the cooling fans for the t5's on and off)
It also controls my power heads in wave make mode.
Then at my sump I use a float switch and a ph Probe to monitor
my pH and either pump in top off water via the KW reactor if the
pH is below 8.3 or straight RODI water if the pH is above 8.3.
I also have it monitor and control my Temperature, and monitor my salinity.
I also have it monitor the level in my frag tank and have it turn off the
return pump to the frag tank if the over flow gets covered by a snail etc.
It sends me e-mail and Text message alerts if I have something go wrong.
I'm adding another float switch to my Top off barrel so it will
alert me it the barrel runs low (I evaporate a lot in winter).
I also have it setup so I can push a button to put it into a
feed pause stopping the returns and the main wave maker.
and I have some toggle switched wired up as "soft switches
(programmable switches) I currently have them wired up to:
Turn the moonlights on Full, Turn off The T5 lights, & turn off the
main power heads (The last two are handy when adding a new fish).
I'm slowly getting more and more automated
so I have more time to enjoy the tank.
I have it controlling 4 dimable T5 ballast (two tubes each) so I get a really
nice ramping up and down doe my day (lighting curve close to natural).
(I also have it run my moonlights to follow the Lunar cycle)
(it also turns the cooling fans for the t5's on and off)
It also controls my power heads in wave make mode.
Then at my sump I use a float switch and a ph Probe to monitor
my pH and either pump in top off water via the KW reactor if the
pH is below 8.3 or straight RODI water if the pH is above 8.3.
I also have it monitor and control my Temperature, and monitor my salinity.
I also have it monitor the level in my frag tank and have it turn off the
return pump to the frag tank if the over flow gets covered by a snail etc.
It sends me e-mail and Text message alerts if I have something go wrong.
I'm adding another float switch to my Top off barrel so it will
alert me it the barrel runs low (I evaporate a lot in winter).
I also have it setup so I can push a button to put it into a
feed pause stopping the returns and the main wave maker.
and I have some toggle switched wired up as "soft switches
(programmable switches) I currently have them wired up to:
Turn the moonlights on Full, Turn off The T5 lights, & turn off the
main power heads (The last two are handy when adding a new fish).
I'm slowly getting more and more automated
so I have more time to enjoy the tank.
OP
OP
btkrausen
Fish Hoarder
Sweet, nice work of the controller. I have mine setup to email and text me as well. Automating the tank really gives you the time to enjoy the same, rather than do the repetitive tasks over and over.
I have one also Anthony. Its been running about as long as yours has. I just bought it the second set of probes since owning it.
kellyjn
Active Member
Harry, that sounds sweet. Would I be correct to assume the dimmer function would also work for dimmable led drivers?
Bt, thanks for explaining that.
I have three other questions if I may.
1) How fine can the timer be programmed? To the minute? To the second?
2) Can both the apex and DA elite use a wireless game adaptor for the Internet instead of running a wire?
(I am aware with the elite that I would need the net module.)
3) Do you have to buy anything beyond the actual system to have the ability to graph the tank? Ex. aquanotes.
Bt, thanks for explaining that.
I have three other questions if I may.
1) How fine can the timer be programmed? To the minute? To the second?
2) Can both the apex and DA elite use a wireless game adaptor for the Internet instead of running a wire?
(I am aware with the elite that I would need the net module.)
3) Do you have to buy anything beyond the actual system to have the ability to graph the tank? Ex. aquanotes.
Reggie
unregistered
Let me answer this based on my Apex experience.
1. Using the OSC command, you can program to the second level -- this is great if you are using dosing pumps.
2. Yes. I actually use an Apple Airport Express on mine to connect to my WLAN and pipe in music.
3. The Apex comes with a web server built-in and has a pages to graph your pH, Temp, ORP, and Amps. There is an AquaNotes app for the iPhone that will show you the graphs as well, plus manually control your outlets. If you are web savvy, you can access all the info via XML and graph them yourself.
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Harry_Y
Valuable Member
I can really only answer for the RKE
Yes, on the Dimable LED, a few of the guys are running dim-able LED setups
1. The time can be programmed down to the second.
2. Yes on the RKE being able to do wireless (a lot of guys do that)
I personally like it wired so I run mine that way.
3. myReef (which is a free download) lets you
do logging (graphing) and programming.
For full disclosure I am one of the Team DA guys (I helped them (DA)
test some functionality so they made me part of the team), I am NOT
an employee merely a customer with some experience on the controller.
That being said here is my honest suggestion. go and look at the controllers in
person if at all possible, play with them and see if they handles how you like it.
Everyone will be biased on there controllers, I had a Profilux, and did not like it.
Now there are other that think it is the greatest thing ever and they love it.
The same will go for every other controller out there, for me I love the RKE.
I can make it do what I want it to and the modules are inexpensive, and I can
use practically else's anyones float switches, and it is conducive to DIY.
But for all that flexibility it does require you to think and logic things out a little;
if you can put together a reef tank you should be able to figure it out.
I would also say look at the support forums on all the controllers you are
considering, BUT take them with a grain of salt because most come to a
forum upset when they cannot figure it out, so a better indicator is look
at the responses of those answering the questions.
At the end of the Day I want to see people happy with what works for them.
Just like how I like a certain brand of car, or a certain type of light, everyone
is different go play with them if possible, and see which one You like the best.
I finally got an APEX. Its the only one I have ever used so I can't compare it with RKE. It is awesome. I controll a ca reactor, lights, heaters, pumps. Can check and control it from a cell phone. I have 6 Tunzes that alternate 5 minutes in one direction for gyre, 5 minutes in the opposite direction, then 5 minutes of wave action. Customer service is excellent and the unofficial user guide is easy to understand and follow making set up and programming a breeze.
I run the same controller on my 300. No issues and easy to program. Great controller for the money.
OP
OP
btkrausen
Fish Hoarder
I agree that the AC Jr is easy to program. Doesn't take too long to become a master at it. The Apex is even easier to program, and still gives you an advanced option to program like an AC Jr.
I run an Apex and love it. I do pretty much everything with it. I have automated my water changes too. Every night I do a very small water change that is completely automated. The only thing i have to do is make up new saltewater.
reefanaddik
New Member
Reefkeeper lite level 3 I only had it on tank for two weeks but like it alot did have the sl1 go up on it and waiting on a replacement. But besides that it was easy to set up and Iam not that good with things like that.
