Reefkinetics Reefbot

[Balz3352]

I had the same challenge setting this up. Where to place it? I ended up moving a cabinet that was about the same level as the sump and it worked out.

I kind of wish they put the plug for the power supply on the same side as the tubes as now I have things poking out from both sides of the robot. On a side note, the power supply does say it is "moisture sealed", which is good to hear since that was a concern I had early looking at it.

You should post a pick of the setup!

I agree with you on the power supply should plug into the same side.

 

[rushbattle]

I personally plan on running a test between api and the redsea kits to test of accuracy. I do believe that api's issue is reading the result correctly but this take the human error out of it. Id love to get alk, phos, CA, nitrate test kits for $23! As long as they are accurate!

Bad news is that Reef Kinetics only uses test kit prodcedure. So they go dropwise for alk and call it an integer, 8 drops 8dkh. I figured they would do some interpolation but that’s not the case. So API accuracy is nearly useless for a normal reeftank.

 

[puffy127]

Bad news is that Reef Kinetics only uses test kit prodcedure. So they go dropwise for alk and call it an integer, 8 drops 8dkh. I figured they would do some interpolation but that’s not the case. So API accuracy is nearly useless for a normal reeftank.

Oh, I did not know that was how the API KH test worked. I probably won't bother with that test then and will just stick with Salifert alk.

 

[HomeSlizzice]

Oh, I did not know that was how the API KH test worked. I probably won't bother with that test then and will just stick with Salifert alk.

What about the red sea alk? That is a lot more accurate, and only takes one vial.

 

[puffy127]

Nice. Keep us posted on the results.

I plan on comparing the following:

Reefbot: API alk and Salifert alk
Manual: Hanna alk

Reefbot: API Ca, Mg, NO3, and PO4
Manual: Salifert Ca, Mg, NO3; Hanna ULR Phosphorous

But I don't get my reefbot until Tuesday.

I'm hoping API gets me close enough results since they are so cheap.

Oops, API does not have Mg. Not sure which kit I will use for Mg. I test Mg very infrequently.

 

[rushbattle]

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. :rolleyes:

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Hopefully you can share with us some of the development challenges and solutions at some point. It would be interesting to hear what we’re the most challenging aspects. I can think of a...few....issues that would be challenging to handle in a device like this, and with an almost entirely nontechnical user base.

 

[rushbattle]

Oh, I did not know that was how the API KH test worked. I probably won't bother with that test then and will just stick with Salifert alk.

Yeah, and NO3 and PO4 are almost as useless, the range is super high, but who cares if I have 100ppm or 120ppm NO3? But API is the only NO3 test kit right now.

What about the red sea alk? That is a lot more accurate, and only takes one vial.

Yeah, should be as accurate as the test kit or better. So just look at the comparison card and see what the potential results could be. I would assume the machine will do the test better and more consistently than a human, but won't make the test kit precision and accuracy any better.

Oops, API does not have Mg. Not sure which kit I will use for Mg. I test Mg very infrequently.

I am still thinking about Mg. It isn't fun to test, so it would be great for the machine to do the test for me, but I would rather test Alk, NO3, PO4 and Ca. With more precise kits I am not sure I can even fit all four of those. So I guess Mg will be ICP because I am lazy :D

 

[HomeSlizzice]

So I made a thread about this ( https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...r-potential-tests-via-mixing-reagents.563997/ ), but I'll copy the text here.


"I saw the Red Sea Calcium Pro BETA (Reef Test Kit) directions for use on ReefBot image on your website.

So seeing this gave me some ideas. Since you're combining a powder reagent with the 3rd liquid reagent. I'm assuming you'll be able to do this with other brands of test kits eventually, correct? Such as NYOS or Giesemann?

As for proper amounts, simply using a gram scale that reads down to 0.01 or 0.001 grams would work. You can buy one off of Amazon for around $20. You would simply need to give us the mixing parameters, for example 20 grams liquid reagent C, and 0.5 grams of powder reagent B. Shake it up, or put it in a separate table top magnetic stirrer, and you're good to go.

Are their potentially other reagents you could combine? Like turn a 3 part reagent Magnesium test kit into 2, or a 2 part reagent Nitrate or Phosphate into 1 part? This potentially would allow use to run all 5 major elements (Alk, Ca, Mg, NO3, and PO4) on one machine at the same time.

Obviously supporting the different brands and mix stability would have to be after Reef Kinetics own internal testing, but the idea seems sound to me."


This would be my question, and it would make the machine an even bigger game changer than it already is IMHO.

 

[puffy127]

Aggh. I should have done more research on the API test kits before I bought them. At least they were cheap.

Revised test comparisons for me:

Reefbot: Salifert alk, RedSea Pro alk
Manual: Hanna alk

Reefbot: API Ca, NO3; RedSea Pro Mg; Giesemann PO4
Manual: Salifert Ca, NO3, Mg; Hanna ULR Phosphorous

 

[richiero]

I'm trying to determine best placement myself right now. The guide doesn't say specifically, but on page 20 it says



The pumps on this unit look similar to what's being used in my alkatronic, which recommends at the same level, or just above. I have that one set above, but within the acceptable tube length (I think it was 3-4 ft max).

I spoke to Jonas from alkatronic he said 6 feet away is no problem .. mind sits about 5.5 feet from the tank and slightly above the level of the display ... and my alkatronic is super accurate ... I hope these guys are as good as Jonas with tech support

 

[richiero]

I personally plan on running a test between api and the redsea kits to test of accuracy. I do believe that api's issue is reading the result correctly but this take the human error out of it. Id love to get alk, phos, CA, nitrate test kits for $23! As long as they are accurate!

This in conjunction with the alkatronic would be awesome I have 1/2 of the equation once all the kinks are worked out with this and parts are easily available I might take the plunge

 

[ESH]

I’m more concerned about stability in same test after test than it matching other test . Have you ran multiple test to see if it stays on point with previous tests . Mine comes Tuesday also . Pretty quick shipping (knock on wood ) never know about Customs Though Lol.
I ordered couple Red Sea Mg refill kits and couple API Nitrate/Phosphate Test . I couldn’t find reviews on Giesemann or Tropic Marine Test kits gonna wait on some reviews before trying them out .

Started to, have a 3rd running right now.
Magnesium, Red Sea.
1)Start 11:09pm - 12:02 end: 53 min run time. 1400 ppm
2)Start 1pm - 1:53 end: 53 min run time. 1280 ppm
3) Start 2:06 - estimating 2:59 end. Results tbd

You should post a pick of the setup!

I agree with you on the power supply should plug into the same side.

A lot going on down here!

 

[MyReefRobbedMe]

Started to, have a 3rd running right now.
Magnesium, Red Sea.
1)Start 11:09pm - 12:02 end: 53 min run time. 1400 ppm
2)Start 1pm - 1:53 end: 53 min run time. 1280 ppm
3) Start 2:06 - estimating 2:59 end. Results tbd




A lot going on down here!

Mad scientist lol .. I know the feeling . Seems from 1st test to 2nd one was off by 120 ppm big jump huh.. I’ll give it the benefit of needing to be broken in . My GHL KhD was same way at first .

 

[ESH]

Mad scientist lol .. I know the feeling . Seems from 1st test to 2nd one was off by 120 ppm big jump huh.. I’ll give it the benefit of needing to be broken in . My GHL KhD was same way at first .

Does magnesium typically fluctuate or stay the same through out the day? And with the ability to test frequently through out the day , maybe we’ll start to see more of this. I do know my Alk goes between 8.4-7.9 throughout the day.

 

[puffy127]

Is it just the red sea Mg that takes 53 min to run? I wonder why it takes so long?

 

[puffy127]

I don't think Mg fluctuates much. I usually only test once every 2 weeks before a water change and I do not do any Mg dosing and it hardly ever changes.

 

[ESH]

53 min seems to be my test time for the Red Sea magnesium test. There appears to be a lag between when the test is initiated in the App/computer and when the bot starts the test. It then washes out the test chamber and RO chamber at least 3 times. If I recal The Magnesium test it self usually took me 10-20 mins as is. Then If I forgot if I did 4 or 5 drops I’d have a miss reading. Add in spill potential risk factor - all said n done 53 min isn’t bad for a robot running the test while I’m at work.

Results recap.
1st: 1400
2nd: 1280 (12-13 hrs from previous test)
3rd test result: 1280. (1hr from previous test)

Well at least it’s currently consistent.

 

[CuseReefer]

Following. Just got mine. Works with API alk but waiting on more test kits right now.

 

[CuseReefer]

Here is the back inside for those who would like to see. Pretty simple but solid design. Also I’ve found the motorized actuators on a few robotics sites as well if they ever need to be replaced, a big plus. Big fan on using COTS parts, makes it easier to repair and maintain.

 

[drernesto]

How did I miss this thread!
RedSea mg is not very stable, if you do it manually or not...