I have one controlling my chiller. Havnt used it long but from the reviews I have read they are pretty reliable.

 

Did you order yours prewired or not?

See I was going to order a dual stage but from what I can tell the cords only have a single plug in for each stage and I saw someone else online who had wired their own and theirs had 2 plugs for each stage.

 

Ok after reading and reading I did find out the one I saw with the dual plug ins on each stage was because that guy had wired his up and just used dual plug in drop cords when he wired it up, so that makes sense.

I was actually looking at ordering the ReefKeeper Lite since it does 4 things but without actually seeing one in hand and looking it over I am unsure how the thing works. I will probably just stick with the Ranco.

 

Mine was prewired and came with my tradewinds chiller.

I also have the reefkeeper lite. It's a great controller for the money.

 

I've seen and played with the Reef Keeper Lite and it is a great controller for the money and it will do exactly what you are looking to do. I almost bought one and then found out I couldn't add the net adapter to it so I needed to save up some more money. I had just saved up enough money last week to get everything and I had to buy a chiller this weekend instead. So now I'm saving my pennies again. LOL I will be getting it sooner or later.

Jeremey

 

Maybe someone will have a RK Lite at ReefSmart this weekend so I could see it. I would order the Elite but I don't have any desire to monitor everything that the Elite does.

Does the Lite come with a strip that has 4 outlets or what?

 

Yeap comes with 4 and can be expanded. I can't remember how many outlets it can be expanded to, but I do know that it is more then enough to run the average tank. The Reef Keeper also has some other cool features like feed mode where it will shut down your main pump so that all your food dosen't get waisted. I know you said you are only interested in controlling your heaters and fans but it gives you some options for expanding.

Jeremey

 

If I recall, the RKL will do:

1) Monitor/control temp (like the Ranco) using your heater, and the RKL temp probe.
2) Run two plugs for powerheads as wavemaker.
3) Possibly one more plug I think if you want to run fans for cooling (two-stage temp control).

For around $100 it's actually quite hard to beat. I'm close to ordering one myself.

 

I dont have halides so there is no chiller. My titanium heater has a temp probe built into it (it's obviously on a wired and a good foot away from the heater itself to avoid false readings) and it keeps the temp very stable. I guess these things yall are talking about are to turn one socket on with the heater plugged in it if the water gets too cold and the other socket turns on with a chiller if the water gets too hot.

 

I believe the RKL maxes out at 4 modules. Your going to fill up all 4 of the outlets quick and probably need more once you get comfortable with the unit and what all it can do. Another good thing about the RKL is you can upgrade to the RK Elite for like $150 if you need to in the future.

Another possibility to look into is the Apex (or Apex Lite). I got an Apex Lite a couple weeks ago for $360. It had some problems during a firmware update and I had to send it back for service (should be back today). Because I work out of town, I really like the Apex's ability to be programmed and controlled over the internet and through Wi/fi connection.

The Reefkeeper supposed to be bringing out a program in the near future that narrows the gap between the Neptune and the RK units.

Long story short (whew!!!) you can't go wrong with the $99 RKL as opposed to the Ranco controller.

 

Yes RKL can be expanded up to 4 modules = 16 outlets

it can control, temp, pH, ATO, etc. Depending what options you get.

I have the $99 package with an additional control module on my 250g

 

So does the $99 package come with one of the 4 outlet strips? How much is one more 4 outlet strip?

I was looking for them last night and everywhere I found them they were on backorder.

ETC emailed me back today and said the dual stage Ranco with a power strip wired in for each stage was like $133.

 

Eric what in the world are you changing program wise while you are out of town? I don't even have the internet on my phone, but then again I don't like to be gone from home that long anymore anyways.

 

You can set the Apex will e-mail you if something does go wrong (power out, PH/temp spike or water level in sump low/high). I feel more comfortable changing settings remotely than having my wife try, with me shouting at her over the phone... It's a little tricky to configure the router to telnet into the controller from anywhere, I keep getting kicked off my network when I try (my router needs replaced)

Getting back to the ATO ??'s, you can set the ATO program to run whatever time you want. I know Josh has a RKL and he loves his. You can get this complete set for $25 http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/single-bracket-reefkeeper-float-switch-kit-digital-aquatics.html or the dual for $40 something. Throw on a $15 aqualifter plugged to the controller and you won't need a timer. The controller will only run the pump for the amount of time you set.

The Apex ATO is a little trickier. You have to buy a separate box (or build your own... which I did) and separate float switches. Although the Apex gives you more control, you can hook up to 6 different float switches to control different levels, the Reefkeeper ATO set up is a lot easier to manage and cheaper

 

Yes the $99 package comes with controller, temp probe, and 4 outlet strip. If I remember correctly an additional strip is $80

 

I might just go with the RKL if I can find one tonight then. That's $30+ cheaper than the Ranco.

What about the top off deal? I am going to order a top off too but how does that wire into the RKL since a good ATO pretty much takes care of itself.

 

They have a top-off module/kit that you can get for it. I don't have one but it might be cheaper than a standalone ATO if you have an outlet to spare on the controller for the top-off pump.

 

I don't think the ATO needs to have anything to do with the ATO unless there is a water level sensor of some kind that the RKL uses to automate the top-off pump. (EDIT)-- Apparently they do have one-- thanks Wes.


If you're using a traditional float switch (please use a double float for backup!) then I'd suggest you just plug the ATO pump, like the little Aqua Lifter--- into a timer. Have the timer set to ONLY give the pump power during time's you're going to be at home. I learned this from Gatorchem (although I don't have an ATO right now).

This ensures that any goofs or problems with the ATO will be more likely caught while you're at home.

I'd run mine around 6-7am (when I get up) and then from 6-10pm (when I am home from work). My system doesn't evaporate enough water during the day to make a big salinity issue anyhow.

 

I was looking at the CoralVue ATO last night. It was like $60 and came with a little octopus pump. It only had one float switch but I am only going to use a 10G for my ATO, I think.

I will look tonight and see what module the RKL has.

 

That's cool Eric.

Does the RKL's ATO come with a certain kind of sensor? Does it measure salinity or water level?

 

Float switches

 

Do any of them base the ATO on salinity, which is the real measurement we should be basing top-off with?

 

Not that I know of. Salinity monitors are prone to drifting out of calibration. This could be catastrophic because the slightest difference in salinity could mean several gallons of water getting pumped in.

The float switch or level sensor, while not perfect, is simpler, cheaper, and in my opinion more accurate than relying on a calibration to determine the amount of water being pumped in.

 

You can purchase a separate PM2 module and conductivity probe for the Reefkeeper (Apex has a similar module) and write a program for the ATO to be controlled by a set salinity but honestly, I haven't dug that deep into the programming. I'm testing my Apex Lite out now using the pre-loaded programs with just a couple minor tweeks to suit my set-up.

I'm not really up on the Reefkeepers programming but it should be pretty similar on both companies controllers.

 

It looks like everywhere I look the RKL and most of it's modules are out of stock. I will keep looking tonight. If I can order the RKL and whatever else I need for around $200 that would be about the same the other ATO and Ranco I was looking at getting costs.

I don't mind spending more than that but I'm not trying to get some program as complexed as yours Eric to monitor my tank. I'm just not that into it.

 

These guys seem to have it.

Aquarium Specialty

 

It sounds a lot more complicated than it really is. Most of the programming is preloaded and over half the changes are simple multiple choice selections from drop down menus.