Who is still running Reefkeeper controller?

[afboundguy]

I received a RKE setup from a local reef club member years ago for free as he wasn't using it anymore. It sat in my pile of stuff for years and I finally set it up with my new tank upgrade that's been running for about 6 months.

I have spent around $200 adding extra power strips and a few modules and while this is still much cheaper than Apex or Hydros I am wondering if it's worth it to bite the bullet and start swapping over to probably Hydros so I can have more control? My biggest issue with RKE is it's lack of online connectivity since it's not longer supported and it's my understanding the NET module is useless now.

 

[tbrown]

@Reefing_addiction is this what you're running?

 

[Reefing_addiction]

@Reefing_addiction is this what you're running?

Nope. But close :) Reef Factory is my dosing pumps and the KH Keeper Plus :)

 

[Crabs McJones]

@n2585722

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

All the Digital Aquatics guys I knew locally got out of it during the post covid period. Cheap enough used A1 & A2 apex's around.

I'd look for a A1/ Apex classic or A2. You can find the classics often enough for under 200$ turnkey with a lot of modules and usually a few eb8's (prefer them over the eb832's).

I recently bought a apex classic for 100$ with 3 eb8's (which 2 were near new) and FMM module (with prism sensors) along with a atk kit. Guy didn't know what he was selling and had NO interest.

Hydros is starting to get a secondary market, but those prices are still too rich for my blood atm. I like the better waterproofing aspect of the controllers and much more open ecosystem for non hydros equipment.

 

[n2585722]

I moved the Hydros and the only thing still on my Archon is my moon lights. Everything else is now under Hydros control. I am happy with the Hydros. It is similar in a way to the Digital Aquatics systems. I slowly moved over and was passing signals back and forth using relays and sense port inputs on the Hydros and switch inputs on the Digital Aquatics when I needed to pass a signal. The first things I switched over was ATO and AWC. I started with the Hydros in my garage where my RODI and mixing station is at. I have lots of info on both systems on my build thread here if interested. Just click on my tank thread banner,

 

[afboundguy]

All the Digital Aquatics guys I knew locally got out of it during the post covid period. Cheap enough used A1 & A2 apex's around.

I'd look for a A1/ Apex classic or A2. You can find the classics often enough for under 200$ turnkey with a lot of modules and usually a few eb8's (prefer them over the eb832's).

I recently bought a apex classic for 100$ with 3 eb8's (which 2 were near new) and FMM module (with prism sensors) along with a atk kit. Guy didn't know what he was selling and had NO interest.

Hydros is starting to get a secondary market, but those prices are still too rich for my blood atm. I like the better waterproofing aspect of the controllers and much more open ecosystem for non hydros equipment.

I'll have to keep an eye out. I can probably sell my RKE stuff to help fund it.

I moved the Hydros and the only thing still on my Archon is my moon lights. Everything else is now under Hydros control. I am happy with the Hydros. It is similar in a way to the Digital Aquatics systems. I slowly moved over and was passing signals back and forth using relays and sense port inputs on the Hydros and switch inputs on the Digital Aquatics when I needed to pass a signal. The first things I switched over was ATO and AWC. I started with the Hydros in my garage where my RODI and mixing station is at. I have lots of info on both systems on my build thread here if interested. Just click on my tank thread banner,

Thanks!

 

[afboundguy]

Anyone have luck with the reefpi set ups? I have a bunch of Arduino chips from my model trains layout and curious if that is more cost effective?

 

[afboundguy]

I moved the Hydros and the only thing still on my Archon is my moon lights. Everything else is now under Hydros control. I am happy with the Hydros. It is similar in a way to the Digital Aquatics systems. I slowly moved over and was passing signals back and forth using relays and sense port inputs on the Hydros and switch inputs on the Digital Aquatics when I needed to pass a signal. The first things I switched over was ATO and AWC. I started with the Hydros in my garage where my RODI and mixing station is at. I have lots of info on both systems on my build thread here if interested. Just click on my tank thread banner,

Can you still connect wirelessly with the Archon?

 

[n2585722]

Can you still connect wirelessly with the Archon?

Yes I just tried it. I was using Firefox for the browser.

 

[afboundguy]

Yes I just tried it. I was using Firefox for the browser.

Awesome thanks! I just found this package deal on eBay and bought it for a steal and was hoping I could use it to connect as no Internet connection/wi-fi is my biggest gripe with my RKE setup.

 

[n2585722]

Awesome thanks! I just found this package deal on eBay and bought it for a steal and was hoping I could use it to connect as no Internet connection/wi-fi is my biggest gripe with my RKE setup.

It has it built into the Archon. So no need for the NET module. It even has a built in wifi channel for initial setup. You may want to ask the seller the password to get into that just incase it was changed. once in you can change it to log into your wifi. You will probably want to set the router to give it the same wifi address every time it logs in.

 

[afboundguy]

I just messaged the seller thanks!

 

[PPBlimpy]

Just seeing this.
I am running a reefkeeper lite on my 125 currently. Basically just controlling refugium lights, monitoring PH and also monitoring power usage.

I just picked up a 300g tank and a 140g frag tank and it came with 2 more complete reefkeeper lite systems.

Still need to inventory exactly what I got and what modules I have, would like to set up ATO and heater control. I haven't done any research into it yet but I may also try to set it up to dose Kalk to keep my PH up at 8.3. currently stable at 8.0-8.1

I do know there is the network adapter and have the USB plug so I can not try to use that which I haven't had access to.

plan to run this setup on my 300g when it is setup

wish I had an elite head unit and may look for one in the future.