ReefKeeper Elite

[Curtis Thigpen Jr]

I have an Reefkeeper Lite plus and I'm about the upgrade to the Elite but I wanted to know for the advanced reefer how is you set up? I'm going to add the salinity monitoring and add a bus hub so everything is neat and so I can expand I already have three power bars. But for someone that wants an advances setup for the reef keeper how do you go about it ?

 

[pickupman66]

Chris,
If you have not bought the Elite yet, I would seriously consider the Archon instead. it is backwards compatible to all of your current modules and has wifi built in. it is also web based to much easier to operate in my opinion.

as far as how mine is/was setup, I can get REALLY complicated for you if you want. Here was how I had my RKE setup on my 180 tank with a remote sump in the garage.

 

[pickupman66]

LOL. I just realized that didnt have the SL1 and SL2 modules I had as well. HAHA. throw those bad boys in there.

 

[Elementalj]

I like the elite but I'd suggest the archon. And I'd also suggest you read as much as possible and become a member of their forum itself. Not to say that our forum wouldn't suffice, in theirs they have dedicated people to answer questions.

 

[n2585722]

Curtis, I would suggest as pickupman66 and Elementalj to upgrade to the Archon head unit also. The Archon head unit has several built in ports. 2 pH or ORP ports, 4 0-10v ports, 2 PWM ports and 4 switch input ports. A iTemp port (no need to get another temp). You would with the RKE. The iTemp probe into s not compatible with the RKE. The Archon also has built in wifi anlong with wired network hookup. If you upgrade to the RKE you would need a NET, AVC and 2 SL modules to get these ports on the RKE. The Archon can be controlled or programmed from a smart phone, tablet or computer. What are the current modules you have with your RKL?

 

[Curtis Thigpen Jr]

Curtis, I would suggest as pickupman66 and Elementalj to upgrade to the Archon head unit also. The Archon head unit has several built in ports. 2 pH or ORP ports, 4 0-10v ports, 2 PWM ports and 4 switch input ports. A iTemp port (no need to get another temp). You would with the RKE. The iTemp probe into s not compatible with the RKE. The Archon also has built in wifi anlong with wired network hookup. If you upgrade to the RKE you would need a NET, AVC and 2 SL modules to get these ports on the RKE. The Archon can be controlled or programmed from a smart phone, tablet or computer. What are the current modules you have with your RKL?

i have the three Power bars and the sl1

 

[n2585722]

OK, you would still need SL2 for salinity. You would not need to use the SL1 but you can still use it on the Archon. The SL1 does not have isolated probe inputs. The Archon and SL2 do. The Archon also has 3 buss ports. The 4th is used for the iTemp probe.

 

[Curtis Thigpen Jr]

OK, you would still need SL2 for salinity. You would not need to use the SL1 but you can still use it on the Archon. The SL1 does not have isolated probe inputs. The Archon and SL2 do. The Archon also has 3 buss ports. The 4th is used for the iTemp probe.

Ok what do you mean by isolated probe ports ? I also want to add a kalk Stir. and run my RODI to a holding tank and then run the RO water to the kalk Stir. with fail safes but can I run the Archon with my iPhone or pad or MacBook Pro I'm a big apple person and thats one of my dislikes of the reef keeper systems?

 

[n2585722]

OK, isolated ports or electricaly isolated from the rest of the controller ports. This keeps inteferrence between ports down to a minimum. The SL1 is no longer in production. It has been replaced by the SLX module and it has isolated ports. The second port is switch selectable as either an ORP or extra pH. The port isolation along with the dual purpose port are the reasons for replacing the SL1. The SL1 works OK as long as you are not using more than one of the SL modules and in most cases. There were a few that have had issues when using more tha one SL module with one being the SL1.

I use the iPad most of the time with the Archon. I can carry it with me from place to place. I have some of the system in the garage. It helps to be able to turn oon and off things when I am in the garage if need be. Basically any device that has a web browser. Firefox seems to be the best in most cases. On the iPad I use Safari without issue. Chrome seems to have issues logging in at this time. I think they are working on this issue. The controller seems to know if it is a phone, tablet or computer and arranges the webpages to accommodate.

I currently turn my RODI on and off to fill the DI storage. I also use it for ATO and auto water change via 3 DP1 modules which are in the garage with the DI and fresh saltwater storage. I have a leak detector on the floor under the RODI which is close to the storage container. This is also hooked to the Archon. The Archon is programmed to shut off RODI, ATO and auto water change if a leak is detected here.

 

[n2585722]

I did a breakdown on the Archon here http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/29352-The-Controller. It is by no means a complete breakdown but it will give you an idea of the webpages. I did not get into programming timers or alarms. The screen shots are from an iPad. For some reason the whole screen shot does not show when veiwing the blog from an iPad but it does from a computer. So if you want to see the complete screenshot use a computer.

 

[Curtis Thigpen Jr]

OK, isolated ports or electricaly isolated from the rest of the controller ports. This keeps inteferrence between ports down to a minimum. The SL1 is no longer in production. It has been replaced by the SLX module and it has isolated ports. The second port is switch selectable as either an ORP or extra pH. The port isolation along with the dual purpose port are the reasons for replacing the SL1. The SL1 works OK as long as you are not using more than one of the SL modules and in most cases. There were a few that have had issues when using more tha one SL module with one being the SL1.

I use the iPad most of the time with the Archon. I can carry it with me from place to place. I have some of the system in the garage. It helps to be able to turn oon and off things when I am in the garage if need be. Basically any device that has a web browser. Firefox seems to be the best in most cases. On the iPad I use Safari without issue. Chrome seems to have issues logging in at this time. I think they are working on this issue. The controller seems to know if it is a phone, tablet or computer and arranges the webpages to accommodate.

I currently turn my RODI on and off to fill the DI storage. I also use it for ATO and auto water change via 3 DP1 modules which are in the garage with the DI and fresh saltwater storage. I have a leak detector on the floor under the RODI which is close to the storage container. This is also hooked to the Archon. The Archon is programmed to shut off RODI, ATO and auto water change if a leak is detected here.

 

[Curtis Thigpen Jr]

Thank you so much your infowas definitely helpful

 

[pickupman66]

I also have some videos on YouTube showing the web pages as well. Just been too busy lately to make any more.

 

[Curtis Thigpen Jr]

I also have some videos on YouTube showing the web pages as well. Just been too busy lately to make any more.

cool send me the links or what is your user name on youtube so i can look up your videos

 

[n2585722]

Just a note things have change some on the webpages since Lindsey's videos and my post. There have been some improvements to them.

 

[Curtis Thigpen Jr]

ok just so I'm clear to upgrade to the Archon from my lite setup I can still use my power bars I already have and I want to have the salinity reading anyway so I have to get the SL2 v2 and probe and I can use my itemp probe I already have

 

[n2585722]

Yes the Archon works with PC4's, PB4's and PB8's. I currently have 6 PC4's on mine. You will need the SL2v2 and salinity probe. I assume you have a pH probe already. If not you may want one of those. The iTemp probe plugs into the 4'th buss port on the Archon. Did you find Lindsey's videos?

 

[Curtis Thigpen Jr]

Yes the Archon works with PC4's, PB4's and PB8's. I currently have 6 PC4's on mine. You will need the SL2v2 and salinity probe. I assume you have a pH probe already. If not you may want one of those. The iTemp probe plugs into the 4'th buss port on the Archon. Did you find Lindsey's videos?

Yes I started watching them... good stuff ....are they ever going to get on the level of Neptune with its app base software and stuff or are they not trying too

 

[n2585722]

I am not sure why they would need an app if you can get to everything with the web browser on the device. I know the app's for the NET were all third party. They do plan on having cloud access in the future. This will eliminate the need for port forwarding and reserved IP address on the router. It will also eliminate need for ddns service. I am not sure how close that is.

 

[pickupman66]

Here is the link to one of the videos. You should be able to find some of the other with more advanced functions from here. Again keep in mind these were done about a year ago so there have been some changes. I just feel that you might be better served if you are already spending the money on the elite to go ahead and upgrade to the latest. I for one have not gone back since moving over to the arc archon. It is been a much better platform for my tank.