aqua controller vs reef keeper

[jadeguppy]

What is the difference? Is one better than the other? Do they both come with all the plug spots needed? I plan to run my CO2 calcium reactor, lights, heater, etc. on it.

[Fish_wiz2]

Really both are controllers. they both have ups and downs so it is up to what you and what you want done with them. me? i would go aquacrontroller because it has more "goodies" packed in it for my needs. but both should come with the outlets (check your purchase carefully) also the outlets are expandable so don't worry but stock usually comes with 8 or DC8

[jadeguppy]

What "goodies" are you refering to? I know very little about these. However, i may be able to buy the AC Jr. fro $150 new so I need to decide soon.

[Fish_wiz2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13702660#post13702660 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jadeguppy
What "goodies" are you refering to? I know very little about these. However, i may be able to buy the AC Jr. fro $150 new so I need to decide soon.

well it will control my calcium reactor, temp, lights, tunze and much more plus the alarm/alert that the reefkeeper can't do

[crashrat]

Taging along as I was JUSt about to ask this same question. I was going to ge the RK when someone mentioned that they don't have good support where the AC does. Is there anyone with experience in this? Has anyone had problems with either and have seen a history of those problems.
Thanks

[Fish_wiz2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13702917#post13702917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crashrat
Taging along as I was JUSt about to ask this same question. I was going to ge the RK when someone mentioned that they don't have good support where the AC does. Is there anyone with experience in this? Has anyone had problems with either and have seen a history of those problems.
Thanks

Haven't tried contacting DA yet as my RK1 is still cool but i have heard complaints to the point i'm sick of my RK1

[Roy G. Biv]

I own the aquacontroller 3 pro. In order to get the most out of any controller, you need to be part DIY'er. Don't expect to plug it in and walk away without any custom work. However, most of the fun is the tinkering and custom control of your tank! Check out the vendor forums of both controllers you are looking into. You will see first hand how both vendors handle problems.

[atvdave]

http://www.aquariumcontrollers.com/

[Fish_wiz2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13703315#post13703315 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by atvdave
http://www.aquariumcontrollers.com/

Oh yeah, forgot about this, thanks atvdave!

[jadeguppy]

Thanks guys.

[lilchris]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13702917#post13702917 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crashrat
Taging along as I was JUSt about to ask this same question. I was going to ge the RK when someone mentioned that they don't have good support where the AC does. Is there anyone with experience in this? Has anyone had problems with either and have seen a history of those problems.
Thanks

If you talked to Neptune systems and got any other answer besides, "You have issues w/ your programming." Then you need to start looking for pigs flying. I had issues w/ my ACjr and that was the only answer that I got. I sent them a list of my commands, no duplicate commands what so ever. I never got a reply back. I sold my jr. and got a RK2. I have't had any issues w/ it yet (knock on wood). I plugged it in and the only thing I had to tinker w/ was the Ph probe. Honestly, I have to pull out the manual to use it. (due to not having to mess w/ the thing).

I will say that the Neptune sys. you have alot more control over your system. You can customize it exactly the way you want it. But, you have to make SURE you have your commands in there right. THen you have to make sure they are not working against another command. (I just gave you the trobleshooting solution that Neptune will give you).

[crashrat]

That was my concern, you need to have a Comp Sci degree to use the customization. If they would only give some nice examples then one could chage a few settings to meet their needs.

[atvdave]

Just my 2 cents..

I have had a controller from both. I now have the RKE from DA and am very happy with it.

When I had the ACjr I found it very easy to program with just a little help from a few die-hard Neptune users. The reason I switch from Neptune to DA was dew to costumer support. I like DA's CS way more better than Neptune's.

But even with that said, both company's make a very good product.

[m2434]

Can any of these controllers or others control conductivity? I think the Reefkeeper Pro can, but that's a bit more than I want to spend at the moment. I'm less interested in pH and temp and really just need conductivity.

My apologies if this is considered off-topic.

[Roy G. Biv]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13706692#post13706692 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by m2434
Can any of these controllers or others control conductivity? I think the Reefkeeper Pro can

AC3 pro.

[m2434]

whoops sorry that's what I meant AC3 Pro not reefkeeper pro :lol:

[jadeguppy]

m2434, totally on topic. Any information about the controllers is welcome.

[atvdave]

Soon to be, RKE as well, Release Date: Q1 of 2009

[Roy G. Biv]

AC3 pro program.
I cut and paste it all the time. It looks messy.

TZL#-E01
TZR#-E03
MHL$-A01
MHC$-A02
MHR$-A08
ACT$-A04
MJ1$-A05
MJ2#-A06
LHY#-A07
XX1&-A03
FED&-A09
RHY&-A10
ALM&-A11
MMJ&-A12
RTP#-B01
HET%-B02
ROT$-B03
UV1$-B04
SFN%-B05
CO2$-B06
SKM$-B07
OZN$-B08
FL1$-B09
FL2$-B10
MLT$-B11
BLT$-B15
MON$-D04
SVT$-M04
FLD$-P01
SLW$-P02
SW3$-P03

If Moon 000/000 Then MON ON
If Timer MHL = ON Then MON OFF
OSC 005/010 ON/OFF Then SVT ON
If Time > 00:00 Then UV1 OFF
RND 010/005 ON/OFF Then MJ1 ON
RND 010/005 ON/OFF Then MJ2 ON
If Timer MHL = ON Then MMJ ON
If Time > 00:00 Then LHY ON
If Time > 00:00 Then RHY ON
If Time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then CO2 ON
If Time > 00:00 Then RTP ON
If Time > 00:00 Then ROT OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then FED OFF
If Time > 10:00 Then FL1 OFF
If Time > 10:00 Then FL2 OFF
If Time > 10:00 Then MLT OFF
If Time > 12:00 Then ACT ON
If Time > 13:00 Then BLT ON
If Time > 13:00 Then MHL ON
If Time > 13:00 Then MHC ON
If Time > 13:00 Then MHR ON
If Time > 14:00 Then FED ON
If Time > 14:01 Then FED OFF
If Time > 20:00 Then FED ON
If Time > 20:01 Then FED OFF
If Time > 21:00 Then MHL OFF
If Time > 21:00 Then MHR OFF
If Time > 21:00 Then MHC OFF
If Time > 22:00 Then ACT OFF
If Time > 22:00 Then BLT OFF
If Time > 22:00 Then FL1 ON
If Time > 22:00 Then FL2 ON
If Time > 22:00 Then MLT ON
If Temp < 79.0 Then HET ON
If Temp > 79.5 Then HET OFF
If Temp < 50.0 Then HET OFF
If Temp > 80.9 Then SFN ON
If Temp > 80.9 Then SVT ON
If Temp < 80.5 Then SFN OFF
If Temp > 82.9 Then FL1 OFF
Max Change 020 M Then FL1 OFF
If Temp > 83.4 Then MHC OFF
Max Change 020 M Then MHC OFF
If Temp > 83.7 Then MHL OFF
Max Change 020 M Then MHL OFF
If Temp > 83.9 Then MHR OFF
Max Change 020 M Then MHR OFF
If Temp > 84.5 Then ALM ON
If ORP < 365 Then OZN ON
If ORP > 375 Then OZN OFF
If FeedA 000 Then MJ1 OFF
If FeedA 000 Then MJ2 OFF
If FeedA 000 Then OZN OFF
If FeedA 020 Then RTP OFF
If pH < 07.90 Then CO2 OFF
OSC 240/001 ON/OFF Then SKM ON
If Switch1 CLOSED Then FLD ON
If Switch1 OPEN Then FLD OFF
If Switch2 CLOSED Then SLW ON
If Switch2 CLOSED Then ROT ON
Max Change 015 M Then ROT ON
If Switch2 OPEN Then SLW OFF
If Switch3 CLOSED Then SW3 ON
If Switch3 OPEN Then SW3 OFF
If Timer FLD = ON Then ALM ON
If Timer MHL = ON Then TZL PF1
If Timer MHL = ON Then TZR PF2
Pmp MODE SD for PF1
Pmp Int 000/100 for PF1
Pmp OSC 00/08/04 for PF1
Pmp MODE SD for PF2
Pmp Int 030/100 for PF2
Pmp OSC 04/08/00 for PF2
If Timer MHL = OFF Then TZL PF3
If Timer MHL = OFF Then TZR PF4
Pmp MODE SD for PF3
Pmp Int 030/040 for PF3
Pmp OSC 00/08/04 for PF3
Pmp MODE SD for PF4
Pmp Int 030/040 for PF4
Pmp OSC 04/08/00 for PF4

[m2434]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13707230#post13707230 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jadeguppy
m2434, totally on topic. Any information about the controllers is welcome.


Great! Then I'll throw one more in :D

Pmolan do you find the AC3Pro hold calibration well for say conductivity and pH, or does it need to be calibrated often?

[jadeguppy]

The site looks good, but only compares the higher end ones, not the Jr. ANyone have a comparision for the Jr.?

[atvdave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13707964#post13707964 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jadeguppy
The site looks good, but only compares the higher end ones, not the Jr. ANyone have a comparision for the Jr.?

Compare the ACjr & the RK2.

[Roy G. Biv]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13707415#post13707415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by m2434

Pmolan do you find the AC3Pro hold calibration well for say conductivity and pH, or does it need to be calibrated often?
Temp, conductivity, and temp stay accurate as far as I can tell. The pH needs to be calibrated often.. Not because of the controller/monitor(pinpoint), its because pH probes in general have a shorter life span. I think ALL pH probes no matter what brand need monthly calibration to be accurate.

[tkeracer619]

If the Jr. is used and comes with a dc8 but the probes are old then it might not be a good deal. New from neptune the JR with PH probe and an 8 output power strip is $266. A new Ph Probe is $45 and new temp probe is $30 if you buy a used unit.

The Reefkeeper 2 with PH probe and dc8 is $320. It is easier to use and has plenty of options. I have had good experiences with customer support when I had a problem with my RK2.

Both are good entry level controllers that will do what you want.

[atvdave]

just to clear things up

RK2 aprox price before shipping $291
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=49_195_503&products_id=985




ACjr aprox price before shipping $257
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=49_107_62&products_id=1569

[tkeracer619]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13708740#post13708740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by atvdave
[B]just to clear things up

RK2 aprox price before shipping $291
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=49_195_503&products_id=985



That price does not include a Ph probe.

[atvdave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13708847#post13708847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tkeracer619
That price does not include a Ph probe.

Yes it does.. look again

$256 for RK2 kit, and $35.15 for PH prob kit.

= $291.15