Elos, Reefkeeper & AI Nano oh my!
 

I'm starting up a new nano tank (build thread here for some more background info.)

This time round I want to spend a little more to get things right from the get go. The problem is I've never dealt with controllers and sumps before, so I'm getting a bit stuck with what exactly I should be ordering. Here's what I have planned so far...

Tank: Elos Mini 20g
Lighting: AI Sol Nano Blue LED
Sump: Elos standard
Skimmer: Elos standard
Powerhead: Vortech MP10
Auto Top Off: ReefKeeper
Thermometer/Heater: Reefkeeper

All I know about Reefkeepers is what I've read on here. I tried looking around their site but despite it being v pretty, it isn't very noob friendly.

What I want it to do:
- Control Light
- Control Temp
- Monitor Salinity
- Control Auto Top Off
- Control Powerhead? (or does this come with it's own controller?)

I'm hoping I can go for the ReefKeeper Lite and save a bit of money, maybe upgrade to Elite later if necessary. If anyone could tell me what Reefkeeper bits I need to buy to get this set up going I would be eternally grateful... all the talk of serial bus controllers on their site has me in a panic.

Also if anyone has any advice/comments in general about my plan I'd really appreciate it (any recommendations for must have modules etc.)

Thanks guys! :D

I've emailed Digital Aquatics to see if they can advise me, I'll post the results here in case someone in the future finds this useful. Or if anyone here can help that would be great too... :D

I believe you need an RKL (I have one, btw) plus an SL-2 module for the salinity, plus float switches for the ATO--or, use the Elos Osmocontroller, which is probably better. Supposedly RKs will control AI lights, but I'm not sure they are 100% there. The powerhead will have its own controller.

I'm thinking about doing the exact same setup as you.

First off, good choice in tanks! I have a System 70 and just picked up a Mini. You can't go wrong with Elos quality.

Second, you can get a controller like an Apex or Profilux to do all those things but it won't come cheap (you need to purchase additional modules to run the AI and Vortech for instance). Alternatively, you could get a "basic" controller like the RKL or Aquacontroller Jr. to monitor temp, salinity, PH, etc. and get the individual controller for the AI. The Vortech already comes with a controller.

Thanks for the advice guys! Before I got a reply I rang Premium Aquatics to see what they suggested. It sounds like the light might need the SL-1 module to control it, which is annoying because as quickfinger pointed out, I'll need the SL-2 for the salinity probe.

Hmmm... You're probably right about the Elos osmocontroller being better too. I have heard some complaints about the ReefKeeper ATO, and nothing but good things about Elos. I might just bite the bullet and get the Elos osmocontroller. It's expensive, but it just looks so much more reliable, and it's really not something you want going wrong!

As for the heater, apparently the ReefKeeper probe doesn't actually heat the water itself, it just monitors the temp and can turn heaters/chillers on and off accordingly. I did a search on here (thank goodness for Reef Central!) and some people recommended the 100w Azoo Titanium Heater for the Elos Mini, so I just grabbed one off eBay.

As the light and salinity probe aren't out yet anyway, I figure I might as well leave the ReefKeeper for now and get the system started without it.

Shopping List
Tank: Elos Mini 20g
Lighting: AI Sol Nano Blue LED
Powerhead: Vortech MP10
Auto Top Off: Elos Osmocontroller
Heater: 100w Azoo Titanium Heater

Yippee! So excited!! Thanks for the help! :bounce3:

Im doing a very similar build (no thread tho). I set up the Elos Mini a few weeks ago with my percula clowns and some existing liverock I had in my other tanks sump. I am waiting on the AI nano to be released. I am also going to add a SWC 120 skimmer. The Elos skimmer doesn't seem to be doing much other than producing some slightly discolored water in the collection cup. I don't have an ATO yet, just been manually topping off every day. Right now it's FOLR so it's pretty simple to take care of. Can't wait to get the SOL and some coral. I may go with a koralia nano to save a little money to start out with. Figure I can always sell it down the road when I pick up an MP10.

Be sure to keep us updated on your build. :)

I have the new Elos Osomo and it's very good. It uses a digital probe so there's no chance of the float switch getting fouled. It also tops up the water gradually rather than dumping in a fixed amount in one go and also has a button for pumping water manually which is useful.

I had a reef keeper at one time, ditched it and went with apex, and couldnt be happier!

Odd that people aren't quite so enamored by the RK here. On another forum everyone was going nutty for them, so I got the impression they were the thing to buy. I had thought it was a smart move getting it to control everything, thus saving a bit of cash and space inside the cabinet... but with all these modules and what not, I'm not sure how much cash/space I'd actually be saving! I may end up just going with the AI controller for the light and stick with more old fashioned methods for checking temp and salinity. I'll see how I feel in a few weeks when (if!) the AI Nano comes out.

That's really great news about the Elos omso controller, thanks for letting me know! :D Glad it really is worth the extra cash.

Hehe I wonder how many darkened nanos there are out there right now waiting for the AI Nano. Least I'll have a few weeks to figure out if the Elos skimmer works, I do not like the sound of those micro bubbles! Thanks for the skimmer suggestion 6Speed, I'll definitely look into that if mine just makes dirty water too!

I ordered the tank, pump, thermometer and osmo controller tonight. I'll update my build thread with some unpacking piccies when they arrive... can't wait!! :rollface:

Why the need to monitor salinity? IMHO that's just a waste to do. I don't know of any reefer that needs this. Get an APEX for the added cost of getting a RK /Lite and SL-2. You won't be able to monitor salinity, but you'll be glad you did w/ all it's other functionality. The AI Nano comes w/ a built in controller from my understanding.