Reefkeeper 2 controller.

[xlayedoutx]

Does anybody use this. I was just wondering if it would be wise of me to get one if all I'm useing it for is to moniter the PH and Temp and maybe to turn on a fan. I wouldn't be useing the timer for the lights or anything like that.

[DaveK]

On controllers in general.

These can be extremely useful devices, and can be set up to automate a lot of things around a reef system. That being said, I would only consider one if you already have an excellent basic reef. In other words, the filtration, skimming, circulation, and lighting should all be good, before you even consider a controller.

[ragvette]

Originally Posted by DaveK

That being said, I would only consider one if you already have an excellent basic reef. In other words, the filtration, skimming, circulation, and lighting should all be good, before you even consider a controller.

Why is that?

[tbittner]

Because what good would a controller do if you can't keep anything alive in your tank?

[xlayedoutx]

Well from what I've been told my skimmer is the best HOB you can get for my size tank. Not sure if thats true or not. I ordered the Solaris I series for lights and i'll have plenty of flow. This is my second tank and the first one worked out great. Maybe the controller would be a good thing because I can always put it on a bigger tank later if I decide to go that route.

[Frankie]

I think there great. I also think if your new to keeping a reef type tank it would be wiser to wait a year and do daily inspections and inventory on your system. You will build a better understanding for it then. Once you are comfortable go for it.
I am so broken in now with my routine i think it would be a waist of money for me. Testing the ph and checking my bulbs and pumps are a snap for me.

[xlayedoutx]

I guess I'm new but at the same time I'm not. I'm just getting back into it. My first tank was a 75g Reeftank that I had for a year and had no losses.

[Woodstock]

I have an RK2 on my hospital/QT. I consider it a vital piece of equipment. Correctly monitoring PH and Temp is critical to a healthy tank. The RK2 is simple to use and very reliable. Although I have an AquaController III on my reef, I chose an RK2 for my QT because of its push button menu driven system (very easy to use with no program writting needed). At a glance I can see the PH and temp in tenths of a degree. I love mine!

[DaveK]

Originally Posted by DaveK

On controllers in general.

These can be extremely useful devices, and can be set up to automate a lot of things around a reef system. That being said, I would only consider one if you already have an excellent basic reef. In other words, the filtration, skimming, circulation, and lighting should all be good, before you even consider a controller.

Originally Posted by ragvette

Why is that?

Originally Posted by tbittner

Because what good would a controller do if you can't keep anything alive in your tank?

Tbittner hit the nail right on the head.

If your filtration, skimming, circulation, and lighting is not up to par (no pun intended) spending money on an expensive controller will not give you a lot of return on your investment. Your system will still be limited by the other factors.

To give an extreme example, if you want to keep clams and your lighting is a single NO fluorescent bulb, no matter how fancy a controller you use, you still will not be able to keep clams alive for any length of time.

[prow]

i say get the controller. it could save lots of money and work too. if your heater gets stuck on(they do often) the controller would pay for itself. being able to see your ph swings with out testing at all hours is a great thing. right off the bat you could set it up to control your lighting cycles, wavemaking, ph and temp monitor, heater control, not to mention having everything on one unit=easy water changes you dont have to look for "what plug does this belongs too". have it turn on the lights if ph drops too low at night or turn fans on if it gets too hot. the other uses of other functions can be used as your needs/knowledge grows.

spending the money on the controller will not keep things alive but can prevent sudden death or other issues(ph swings, heaters with minds of there own). forget buying a bunch of timers, individual temp controllers, individual ph monitors like pinpoint(no data reviews), if its in the budget, get the controller, JMO though.

i personaly have the octopus 3000 to be used on my big tank and Aqau Jr for my other tanks. the Aqua Jr is comparable to the rk2 and i love it i went with the Aqua Jr for its alarm system and computer hookup control and seasonal variations of lighting and flow patterns. but the RK2 is a great little unit also, like the menu set up on the RK2 a little more.

[tbittner]

If you ordered a solaris, you won't be using the controller to control the lights. The solaris does anything and everything you'd ever want to do, light wise. It's a fantastic system. It WOULD be VERY helpful to be able to see what's going on with your tank throughout the day though. To be able to plot PH, Temp, and others is priceless. Not to mention being able to monitor the water levels and turn pumps off if the level rises to high. I wish I had that capability a few weeks ago!!!

[ragvette]

Originally Posted by prow

spending the money on the controller will not keep things alive but can prevent sudden death or other issues(ph swings, heaters with minds of there own). forget buying a bunch of timers, individual temp controllers, individual ph monitors like pinpoint(no data reviews), if its in the budget, get the controller, JMO though.

Thats along my same thoughts. The controller will also keep your mind off other things while it's doing everything else for you (temp/pH and lights).

But in your case since your only going to monitor pH and temp then something cheaper would be my route. A simple test kit and a Lifegard Temp monitor is what I've got for my 20gal Nano. I monitor the temp during the day and make certain that it doesn't climb over 80F.