Any Information on the ReefKeeper 2 Controller

[SoLiD]

I recently purchased a back ordered ReefKeeper 2 Controller from hellolights.com . Is anyone using one or know of anyone personally that is using it? It seems to have a ton of great features. I know it's not a NEPTUNE SYSTEMS AQUA CONTROLLER 3, but who really wants to spend $750+ on a controller if they don't have to. I'd like some feedback on the product. None the less here is the link to the originator of the product. Thanks in advance. -SoLiD

http://www.digitalaquatics.com/reefkeeper2.html

[caferacermike]

I just bought the same controller on Friday. Wish I had known you were waiting for one as Kingfish in Austin has them on the shelves with all the necessary gear. They have them hooked up and running on a display in the store. Give them a ring for some feedback. I to felt I did not need a $750 unit to run my tank. I wanted an easy to interface controller and this was it.

[jroescher]

I use a RK2 on my 120 and a RK1 on my nano. I'm happy with them.

I control MH and VHO lights, fans, sump pump, MJ's on wave cycle, fuge light and monitor PH and temp.

Here is a link to the user's manual: http://www.digitalaquatics.com/downloads/20060226_RK_2_Manual.pdf

[Richard]

I'm using a couple of Reefkeepers (the original ones) and I think they are a terrific product. The only issue that I have is that they tend to lose time when there are big thunderstorms (power surges) so I always have to check that the time is correct and reset the time occasionally. Maybe they have fixed it in the II.

Mine controls some of my lights, all pumps, tunzes on wave cycle, and my heater.

[LoneStar]

Are the channels on the ReefKeep II preset to certain devices? Or can you change them?

[txstateunivreefer]

im thinking of getting one too to rum hood fans mh pcs fuge light and others id be interested in more info as well

[Richard]

All eight channels can be set to whatever you want. Off the top of my head I think...

Sump Pump
Light -> type (for metal halides it waits like 20 min to try and turn them on after a power outage)
Powerhead -->wavemaker
Heater
Chiller

uhhh...that's all I can remember maybe some other things too. Just add up how many amps your going to be running, you may need the add on unit if it's over 15 amps.

[caferacermike]

Richard did bring up 2 nice points. Any time a power failure occurs it waits about 20 minutes before firing the MH bulbs. It has a "soft start" mode for all pumps installed on the timers to prevent impeller breakage.

You can reconfigure the channels and such but I believe 2 or 3 of the outlets are saved for higher amperage equipment as well as "always on" equipment. These spots have designations for things like a sump pump that runs continuously but if you hit a feed button will shut down for your prescribed time period but run at all other times. As well as those features I think you can override the presets and use them for wave makers and or lesser amperage equipment if you choose to. It's just that those channels are saved for that type of equipment if being used.

[SoLiD]

I just bought the same controller on Friday. Wish I had known you were waiting for one as Kingfish in Austin has them on the shelves with all the necessary gear. They have them hooked up and running on a display in the store.

I've not heard of many Reef stores. Kingfish is a new one to me. I'll try to find their number and call them. Thanks. -David