2 Very Popular Controllers, which is better?

[corrado007]

I've been debating between the Neptune Systems AquaController jr. and the Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper II aquarium controllers. I've done searches on both in a few different forums as well as comparing them using this controller comparison chart. I thought I'd see which one of these you all prefer. No matter how much research one does, there's no replacement for the experience of others.

To be honest, I personally prefer the looks of the Reefkeeper II but like that the Aquacontroller jr. is PC programmable and you can set warning alarms. I'd appreciate any input, advice, or experience anyone can offer. I'm aware that there are other, more elaborate controllers out there but I'd like to stick to a comparison of these two in order to keep things less complicated. From my searching, I think many people would be interested in a good discussion about these two as well.
Thanks Everyone

[wharyat]

I have an RK2. To be completely honest my choice was made for its looks, I wanted it to be out in the open and the black and blue scheme worked perfectly. Its features obviously played a part in it too. It does everything for me to enable complete automation including protection for under and over pH situations.

Over all the 3 main points that sold me on the RK2 were:
pH control
warranty
color

I plan to upgrade to DA's latest controller once it becomes available.

[chrischris]

reef keeper 2 even though i have a acjr the rk2 at the locl fish store works better than the acjr imo

[corrado007]

Originally Posted by chrischris

reef keeper 2 even though i have a acjr the rk2 at the locl fish store works better than the acjr imo

Would you mind offering a few specifics? How does it work better? Thanks.

[corrado007]

Originally Posted by wharyat

I plan to upgrade to DA's latest controller once it becomes available.

I think they're taking pre-orders for the ReefKeeper Elite now and offering some extra component for free if you order now.

[Loverotties]

I've only seen Reefkeeper in action and thought it was nice.

[corrado007]

Many of the threads I've read were made when the ReefKeeper II just came out and therefore don't discuss firmware upgrades to it and it's newer features. Does anyone know what new features have been added since its introduction? I'm just going off the comparison chart which is a bit outdated. From what I hear the RK II can now be hooked up to a computer for datalogging and some sort of web access, is that right? Does the Rk II have an alarm feature like the AC jr?

[chrischris]

the one at the store has (rk2) has a mounting brakets acjr doesnt
the displays better
it has easyer to read indicator light to tell you what on and whats off

[corrado007]

Does the RK II have the ability to turn on pumps and skimmers after different amounts of time off when you use the feeding/service mode? I.E. Can you have the skimmer come on 10 minutes after the return pump comes back on?

Also, can any visual or audio alarms be set on the RK II to let you know when parameters are outside of set values?

Thanks.

[chrischris]

ya it can be used to turn of co2 for a calcium reactor controll lights nd be used as a wavemaker as the feeding cycle goes i dont know but ill try and stop by tlf and check it out for you and i think if the temp gets to high or low it makes a beeping sound but im not sure agian ill check that to if i can go tom.

[corrado007]

Originally Posted by chrischris

ya it can be used to turn of co2 for a calcium reactor controll lights nd be used as a wavemaker as the feeding cycle goes i dont know but ill try and stop by tlf and check it out for you and i think if the temp gets to high or low it makes a beeping sound but im not sure agian ill check that to if i can go tom.

That would be great, thanks!