Bought a Reefkeeper lite, now what do i do with it?

[jstdv8]

My mommy bought me a RKL for Christmas, has the SL1 added on with a PH probe and of course the Temp probe.
My question is, other than being a really cool timer that shows you the temp and PH what else can I do with this thing?
I have Koralia powerheads so I'm assuming I can't really do anything with those as far as on off at certain times?
I have an ATO allready so it doesnt need to be hooked to that.
Is there anything else I'm missing that I might get use out of this other than the basics?
Also what is an ORP or whatever that other probe is? what does it measure? And is it worth it to get a probe to add onto that?

 

[monsinour]

I checked into the RKL1 a while back. Yea its a timer, yea it monitors temp and ph. Yea it has that really kewl standby feature for tank maintenance. I suppose you could set up the on and off of your powerheads to kind of simulate waves or tides. One of the nifty things you can do is to program it so that if your tank reaches a certain temperature to turn off the heater and then if the temperature doesnt drop, to turn off the lights. Go to the manu website and they have a forum there with all kinds of programing advice and assistance.

 

[acrylic51]

Not sure about the PH's but I think it might work with the new Evo's??? You can hook float switches and possibly monitor water level taking your ATO out of service. Honestly tons you could do!!!!

 

[btldreef]

With the Koralia's, turning them on and off at different times works well.
You can have the temp monitor set to turn lights off and turn heater off if tank gets to warm and on if tank gets to cool.
You can set up a "feed mode" this turns off powerheads for ten minutes (or whatever you want) while you feed, mine will also turn the lights on while feeding if they are off.
Float switches to prevent overflow, etc (big deal for me since I have a hang on overflow).
I have mine running my Ca reactor as well and runs my lighting for the refugium.
It's nice to have everything all in one as opposed to five million timers all over the place.
Have fun with it, took me forever how to work all the features and I'm sure I haven't figured them all out yet.

 

[jstdv8]

Well, its on backorder, but I'm pretty excited to get it as soon as I can.
What's the ORP do? and do you feel its worth it to get the extra SL2 and a salinity probe too or not really?

 

[jstdv8]

RKL came in the mail yesterday, i opened it up last night and all it comes with for instructions is a quick start guide that doesnt seem to break it down into stuff I can understand.
Do these things not have a real users manual? I was expecting a thick book, instead i got nothing. Weird, i'll have to plug it in and play with it tonight I guess.
I can allready see I want another 4 sockets

 

[meowzer]

OMG WTH is the issue with SW equipment

Do you know I have yet to buy one thing that comes with a good explanation of anything

 

[jstdv8]

Something that does so many things like a controller you'd think would have a manual pretty thick, I dunno.

 

[acrylic51]

Once you start playing with them pretty easy, but over on the other big forum you can find a big thread that will get you over major bumps and good programming tips on it to fine tune to your needs.... Same thing goes for the Neptunes as well. Once your over the initial programming you'll honestly enjoy and see how easy and neat it is.

 

[jstdv8]

I wouldnt dream of looking for help anywhere but this forum...
ok, I lied Ive got like a thousand posts over there
I'll check it out thanks shawn.

 

[acrylic51]

LOL

 

[monsinour]

You could always do what I suggested a while back, go to the manufacturers forums for programming assistance.

 

[jstdv8]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Monsinour http:///forum/thread/382199/bought-a-reefkeeper-lite-now-what-do-i-do-with-it#post_3335724
You could always do what I suggested a while back, go to the manufacturers forums for programming assistance.
Yeah, I did, I ended up downloading the manual after like 30 minutes of looking for it. Thier forum site is not very easy to navigate.
Then after reading the calibration part for the PH I got that done. Even in the manual it doesnt exactly spell it out for you exactly what buttons to push.
I guess I was expecting something more along the lines of the directions that come with a watch on how to program it. Hold down left button for 2 seconds, when the first letter blnks press enter. Something like that. I think they think everyone is a computer programmer or something lol.
I am getting the hang of it now though. got my temp and PH calibrated. puting my DT lights, heater and scrubber lights on timers tommorow.
Eventually I'd like to get another 4 slots so I can do my frag tank lights and my powerheads as well.
By the time I get it the way I want it I have a feeling I should have just saved up and got the elite LOL, ohh well. Its doing what I wanted for now, so I'm good

 

[monsinour]

that is a common occurance. People get the RKL and then want the elite version. Double check and see if they are still offering the trade in option for trading in the RKL for the elite.

 

[jstdv8]

no worries, my mom got me this for Xmas, I'm happy with it, it will keep me going for a while I'm thinking. Got my ATO recently too, now I'm hooked up
I feel all high tech and stuff LOL