[stacef]

What does everyone think of these? Does anyone have one?? I have one that came with my 90 gallon. I have had it just sitting for 9 months, haven't attempted to use it. I have everything that comes with it.

Should I keep it? Or sell it. There is a Reefkeeper 2 but I have the first one.

Here is a site with details on it..

http://www.digitalaquatics.com/downl..._RK_Manual.pdf

Thanks!

[pogodzib]

Let's start the bidding. $1 J/K

I know a couple people that have them and they love it. If you don't want it or aren't going to use it, let me know.

[stacef]

Originally Posted by pogodzib

Let's start the bidding. $1 J/K

I know a couple people that have them and they love it. If you don't want it or aren't going to use it, let me know.

Hahahah. Great to hear they like them. I am waiting on some more input to decide if I want it or not...I will le tyou know!

[e_baer]

couldnt hurt to keep it.

[thelastmucci]

From everything I've heard having one of these digital devices goes along way as far as maintence goes. I don't know about your specific model but I know some can be hooked up to a computer and you can keep track of records that way (although there's nothing wrong with a pen and pad IMO) but some people I've heard swear by these things. I think you should try it out before you get rid of it. What's the harm?

[mtfabel]

Lets keep the bidding going. 2$ here. Likewise, if you decide to get rid of it let us know. We will start a real auction on it. But personally I would keep it.

[stacef]

Originally Posted by mtfabel

Lets keep the bidding going. 2$ here. Likewise, if you decide to get rid of it let us know. We will start a real auction on it. But personally I would keep it.

Thanks for the interest!! I will be sure to let you all know what I think of it. Now that I have looked into it more I figure..what the heck why not keep it?

Thanks again everyone.

[Mattfish]

I'm sure there were previous threads on these, but it'd be great to find one that does temp, pH, salinity, orp, calcium, nitrate, and alkalinity. Maybe one or two other things... plus have a computer output, and not take much in the way of regular calibration.....

Anybody have any ideas? I'm gonna go search the web stores for ideas, but anyone have recommendations?

[stacef]

Originally Posted by Mattfish

I'm sure there were previous threads on these, but it'd be great to find one that does temp, pH, salinity, calcium, nitrate, and alkalinity. Maybe one or two other things... plus have a computer output, and not take much in the way of regular calibration.....

Anybody have any ideas? I'm gonna go search the web stores for ideas, but anyone have recommendations?

My boyfriend and I were talking about how we wanted one of those the other night. I am shocked there are not many (well I haven't heard of any) out there. I would be really interested in one, and would possibly get rid of this thing if anyone finds one that monitors a majority of the parameters.

[Mattfish]

The owner of our lfs has a Neptune, which does several things, but not everything. Just like I talked myself into the Solaris by cost justifying it to myself (like I needed to convince myself...), I could see this as a reflection of the cost of the controller vs. Salifert test kits.

Lately, our API and Red Sea kits don't match up to the Salifert readings. While the Salifert's aren't cheap, and a probe/controller system is a whole lot more, divide one into the other, and that's how many kits it's like buying at once.

Amazing huh? Sales guys are the worst at selling themselves....

[stacef]

Originally Posted by Mattfish

The owner of our lfs has a Neptune, which does several things, but not everything. Just like I talked myself into the Solaris by cost justifying it to myself (like I needed to convince myself...), I could see this as a reflection of the cost of the controller vs. Salifert test kits.

Lately, our API and Red Sea kits don't match up to the Salifert readings. While the Salifert's aren't cheap, and a probe/controller system is a whole lot more, divide one into the other, and that's how many kits it's like buying at once.

Amazing huh? Sales guys are the worst at selling themselves....

The Neptune seems very similar with this Reefkeeper that I have. I guess what I am looking for, is a "lazy way" (haha) of testing the water, probably not do-able. I guess that seems that this one I have can test the Ph, then my question is...

Is there a device out there that electronically tests the majors parameters?

[Mattfish]

I'm looking online now, and there are the American Marine PinPoint Monitors, but they're single unit onesand no comouter interface, plus you have to buy each thing you need and they're not really meant to be constantly in use.

I'm looking for a lazy way to monitor everything also, and especially to be able to record it on the pc in case I need to look back if there's a problem... plus my dream of being able to have it on my own website with a webcam, so when I travel, I can check the tank from wherever I am..... ok tweaky, but between the travel, and setting up our family website, it'd be doable.....

[Mattfish]

A little more info - I've checked out the market at least from 3 or 4 of the bigger web sites. Neptune Systems Aquacontroller 3 Pro seems to be the latest and greatest, although the Octopus 4000 seems to be less expensive and have most of the same functionality - pretty close to the Neptune Aquacontroller 3 (not the Pro model).

The AC3 Pro will do temp, pH, ORP, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen (the DO is VERY expensive to add), but none except the handhelds will do nitrates and calcium. The AC 3 Pro WITH DO is like $1,550+, or about $1,050 without DO, both prices are with the software. The software seems pretty powerful if you're a computer type like me, or if you want to connect to other types of devices, like electronic sensors for spilled water, or just about anything else.

It's also pretty expandable and has all sorts of bells and whistles, including it's own web server, so it'll give out data in all sorts of ways. The difference seems to be that the non-Pro will not handle DO and conductivity and is probably about $300 or more less expensive because of that - but the software and a lot of the expansion seems to be the same.

Not surprisingly, they're out here in computerland, so I plan to call them tomorrow and get some facts. BTW, it's as inexpensive to buy from the manufacturer as it is from the web sites.

And after browsing John Tullock's "Water Chemistry for the Marine Aquarium" which seems to be one of the definitive books on marine chemistry, ORP is not a tell-all, and pH can vary with temperature, so at best, this will still leave the need to do some testing.

More tomorrow....

[pogodzib]

Originally Posted by stacef

Thanks for the interest!! I will be sure to let you all know what I think of it. Now that I have looked into it more I figure..what the heck why not keep it?

Thanks again everyone.

$3. J/K. I think you'll find it nice to have once you get it all setup.

Originally Posted by Mattfish

I'm sure there were previous threads on these, but it'd be great to find one that does temp, pH, salinity, orp, calcium, nitrate, and alkalinity. Maybe one or two other things... plus have a computer output, and not take much in the way of regular calibration.....

Anybody have any ideas? I'm gonna go search the web stores for ideas, but anyone have recommendations?

The problem with probes is that they are A.) costly B.) need regular cleaning C.) need replacing often. The only probes that are really worth the cost at this time is ORP and pH. Salinity doesn't fluctuate that much in most tanks so you don't check that constantly and the other probes all have reliability issues and need to be replaced often (which becomes costly).

[Mattfish]

Thanks for that Brian. Based on that, do you have any recommendations on units that do just these? There are a few out there, still expensive, but may be worth doing anyway.... it IS Christmas after all....

[pogodzib]

Sorry, I forgot about temp. Those probes are generally accurate and worth it as well. I've had good luck with my Milkwaukee and PinPoint meter/controllers and they typically give you the biggest "bang for the buck". I've heard too many bad things about the other meters/controllers out there than can be bought cheaper. I think Hanna and Milwaukee both make meters that have pH, ORP, and Temp on them for a little over $300. But then the next question would have to be, do you want a meter or controller? Controllers are more expensive, but depending on what equipemnt you have, you can hook your heaters, chiller, ozonizer, calcium reactor, etc... up onto them.

[RyanG]

A controller comparison chart you can download here.

[Mattfish]

In my case, I'm thinking controller, so that I can possibly connect some of my stuff to it. The Neptune looks good from a distance, although the Octopus also has some nice stuff and seems less expensive...

[pogodzib]

Originally Posted by Mattfish

In my case, I'm thinking controller, so that I can possibly connect some of my stuff to it. The Neptune looks good from a distance, although the Octopus also has some nice stuff and seems less expensive...

Very nice Ryan. I didn't know that you created that.

[Mattfish]

Originally Posted by RyanG

A controller comparison chart you can download here.

Nice chart Ryan! That certainly has every fact on it. Tons of info to check through!

Thanks!!