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Post by Hack157 on Mar 8, 2014 21:56:24 GMT -5
You find them up for sale all the time on Boston Reefers, but the problem you will likely encounter is the travel distance as not many will ship anything. No need really they get grabbed pretty quickly. I would take a look at the Reef Angel. Even the base unit is pretty complete. It is an open source coded controller which scares many away, but it shouldn't.
Depending on your needs controller use is changing rapidly. LED's are coming with their own on board programming. Wave pumps have their own controllers. Same with some dosing pumps. All of which can greatly reduce the use of a controller. Depending on the rest of your equipment PH and temperature might be your only real use for a controller.
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Post by BriMc on Mar 8, 2014 23:08:24 GMT -5
I have an original Neptune JR on my sons fresh water tank controlling lights, and power heads and it also monitors and controls the heat. On my Reef I run an Aquatronica system which right now controls the Lights and power heads, monitors PH, ORP, Salinity, and two leak detectors. and it also monitors and controls the heaters in the tank and sump. The new system will be set up the same way but will have a second integrated Aquatronica system for the basement that will monitor and control Ph, calcium, salinity, and water top off.
I do agree that companies are adding controllers to their devices but like the guy with the huge entertainment system with ten remotes he usually ends up purchasing a master remote to control all the units. Myself I would never purchase an item I could not control with my Controller. I am purchasing the Jebao 25's with the Dual controller to try the controller but I will eventually be controlling the pumps alone with the Aquatronica. The nice thing about a controller is if I am in the kitchen I can glance at the head unit and see anything I could ever want to know about the tank, same if I am in the basement with the remote 2nd head unit. The best thing about a good controller is if I am away or just to lazy to get off the couch I can hit my tank monitor on my laptop or any computer remotely and monitor just about everything in my tank for the past 48 hours and make adjustments as needed.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Mar 9, 2014 9:06:39 GMT -5
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Post by BriMc on Mar 9, 2014 13:28:58 GMT -5
RKL comes able to monitor temp and PH right out of the box. it also has the capabilities of monitoring ORP, float switches and leak detectors. It comes with the SL1 module, a SID device ( device for connecting your RKL to the computer for firm updates and using my reef tank 2 software). The unit needs a 120.00 module for Ethernet capabilities.
NEP Comes Ethernet ready out of the box but can only monitor heat with out the addition of a PM1 Module but you have to switch out the probe because there is only one port for both probes, the cost of the interface is 85.00 plus 40.00 is for the probe.
I do like the software for the NEP better then the RKL but that is personal preference. One thing I did notice and you should consider. I noticed you said you were only going to use the controller for a few things. Both of these controllers only come with 4 outlets, when you discover the possibilities these controllers open up you are going to want more outlets.
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Post by BriMc on Mar 9, 2014 14:09:32 GMT -5
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Post by jasonandsarah on Mar 9, 2014 14:51:27 GMT -5
Ty that's awesome I asked if it was still available.
Long travel though.
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Post by foggman on Mar 9, 2014 18:50:07 GMT -5
Read up on arduino the capabilities of them are almost limitless, I think some of the open source controllers are arduino anyway
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Post by jasonandsarah on Apr 8, 2014 12:43:28 GMT -5
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Post by gotareef on Apr 8, 2014 12:58:02 GMT -5
thats almost what I have mine has the sl1 expansion
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Post by BriMc on Apr 8, 2014 13:10:54 GMT -5
Kind of sucks that they show the sl1 in the picture, I was going to say that is a great deal.
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Post by gotareef on Apr 8, 2014 15:51:46 GMT -5
no need for the sl1 unless you have a calcium reactor....
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Post by scoobnoob on Apr 8, 2014 16:03:30 GMT -5
I got mine with an 8 plug strip on nano reef for $85 shipped.
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Post by jasonandsarah on Apr 8, 2014 16:20:02 GMT -5
What does the basic kit come with? Also what does it have for functions out the box? No add ons.
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Post by BriMc on Apr 9, 2014 12:34:21 GMT -5
Just a heads up as of 01/01/14 Apex lite has been discontinued. The modules instead of being called SL1 and SL2 are now Called PM1, PM2, and PM3. The new unit is called Apex JR.
The Apex Jr. System the perfect option for those that want to have the basic functions of a controller like light and temperature control but have a smaller budget. But the beauty of the Apex Jr. is that you don’t have to sacrifice many of the cool features of the more expensive Apex controllers such as Internet connectivity, phone and SMS alerts, over-temperature protection, mobile phone and tablet access and much more.
With the Apex Jr. you will be able to not only monitor what is happening in your tank, but you will also have 100% control while at home, or away to do something about it!
The Apex Jr. System comes complete with:
•Apex Jr.
•Apex Display Module
•Long-life Temperature Probe
So basically you get light control, pump or power head control, temperature monitoring and control, internet, Phone, and mobile capabilities. Anything above that such as PH or ORP you need to purchase the PM1 module. The new power bar for the Apex JR only has 4 outlets.
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Post by gotareef on Apr 10, 2014 6:16:53 GMT -5
is it just the rkl that was discontinued or all rk? I knoe rk is now making the system for growing plants
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