logman17
07/21/2005, 02:47 PM
Hey guys-
I have had in use 2 Reefkeepers for about 6 months on one and 8 months on the other. Throughout this time they have worked extremely well and couldn't be happier with the service and support from Digital Aquatics.
I recently decided to upgrade tanks and thought of some things that would help improve the unit or maybe even an entirely new unit for folks with larger tanks and ineviteably more, specialized, equipment.
Some of these have been heard before and some are new.
Here goes-
1) pH probe.
We've all been asking, but this would be a great addition to the RK lineup.
In addition to that, upgrade the software to allow an outlet(s) to be switched on/off when the level gets above/below a certain value
This would be useful in Ca reactor applitations among other things.
2) Multiple timers for an outlet(s).
A setting in the software that would allow an outlet(s) to come on/off multiple times duing the day/night
This would be useful for running MH for 3hrs in the am and 4 hrs in the pm, a trend I see more reefers doing these days.
3) Gang-able or multiple power strips
An option to use cat5 cable to run multiple power strips on the same brain unit. These could have DIP switches to give each strip an address and allow it to be controlled by th main unit. These could be sold seperately to keep cost down.
Really-who only has 8 things to plug in and have seperate control over in a reef tank?
This would also give us the ability to use different house circuits w/o overloading the unit
These are just some ideas. I'm sure there others out there.
Also - I realize that most of the controller manufacturers are trying to cut costs (IE aquacontroller jr., etc.), but I think this unit could easliy be made scaleable so the initial investment could be large or small. For example - changing the software to do all above would be a one-time major expense for Digital Aquatics. The addition of "ports" for a pH probe and a cat5 cable shouldn't cost too much. But, other than those expenses, the RK could be sold like it is now: Brain, temp probe, and power strip. The pH probe, additional power centers, etc. could be sold seperately. That way us reefers could add those components as we need them.
That would also allows DA to keep customers throughout their entire reef experience. When I set up my first reef, I didn't have the need for pH probe, more outlets, etc. But now I'm doomed to either buy another controller, rig up this one with tons of extension cords, or something else.
LASTLY-
For all of you guys at Digital Aquatics:
I'D BE HAPPY TO BETA TEST THE NEW UNIT:D
I have had in use 2 Reefkeepers for about 6 months on one and 8 months on the other. Throughout this time they have worked extremely well and couldn't be happier with the service and support from Digital Aquatics.
I recently decided to upgrade tanks and thought of some things that would help improve the unit or maybe even an entirely new unit for folks with larger tanks and ineviteably more, specialized, equipment.
Some of these have been heard before and some are new.
Here goes-
1) pH probe.
We've all been asking, but this would be a great addition to the RK lineup.
In addition to that, upgrade the software to allow an outlet(s) to be switched on/off when the level gets above/below a certain value
This would be useful in Ca reactor applitations among other things.
2) Multiple timers for an outlet(s).
A setting in the software that would allow an outlet(s) to come on/off multiple times duing the day/night
This would be useful for running MH for 3hrs in the am and 4 hrs in the pm, a trend I see more reefers doing these days.
3) Gang-able or multiple power strips
An option to use cat5 cable to run multiple power strips on the same brain unit. These could have DIP switches to give each strip an address and allow it to be controlled by th main unit. These could be sold seperately to keep cost down.
Really-who only has 8 things to plug in and have seperate control over in a reef tank?
This would also give us the ability to use different house circuits w/o overloading the unit
These are just some ideas. I'm sure there others out there.
Also - I realize that most of the controller manufacturers are trying to cut costs (IE aquacontroller jr., etc.), but I think this unit could easliy be made scaleable so the initial investment could be large or small. For example - changing the software to do all above would be a one-time major expense for Digital Aquatics. The addition of "ports" for a pH probe and a cat5 cable shouldn't cost too much. But, other than those expenses, the RK could be sold like it is now: Brain, temp probe, and power strip. The pH probe, additional power centers, etc. could be sold seperately. That way us reefers could add those components as we need them.
That would also allows DA to keep customers throughout their entire reef experience. When I set up my first reef, I didn't have the need for pH probe, more outlets, etc. But now I'm doomed to either buy another controller, rig up this one with tons of extension cords, or something else.
LASTLY-
For all of you guys at Digital Aquatics:
I'D BE HAPPY TO BETA TEST THE NEW UNIT:D