Digital Aquatics: SL2 Modules Shipped

Well its been a long time coming, ever since they announced their pretty module, but finally they have been shipped. If you don’t know what this module does, here is what Digital Aquatics has to say:

The RKM-SL2 is the newest System Lab module from Digital Aquatics. It’s a big leap forward with fully (and individually,) isolated ph and salinity ports. On top of that, the Digital Aquatics salinity probe is equipped with full digital temperature compensation built in! This make it easy to calibrate and ideal for testing a variety of tanks. Whether you’re mixing for a water change, monitoring your main system, checking up on a quarantine or frag tank the SL2 with conductivity probe will report a true and accurate value!

The SL2 also allows for another temperature probe to be added to the system for redundant monitoring as well as two more switch inputs; great for ATO systems or leak detectors.

This module is fairly cheap for its utility. Priced at $80.00US, without the Salinity probe, your salinity problems are no more. In fact, with the aid of the NET module, you can see your salinity levels on the go. On a blackberry, iPhone, or a Palm Pre.

But there is an asterix that we need to talk about.

The installation, or the calibration, is not dumbed down. Here are some instructions to properly calibrate your SL2 and its probe (from the Digital Aquatic’s forum):

The new Digital Aquatics salinity probe is an advanced probe that requires an acclimation period when being introduced to your tank. Please read the steps below before using the salinity probe to control dosing or other tank altering actions. Digital Aquatics includes an easy to use, reusable calibration solution bottle for PPT. Do not discard this solution after your first calibration!

1) Follow the steps on the calibration/installation form. Once complete, tightly replace the cap to the calibration bottle and save for the following steps.
2) Watch the PPT reading for the next few days you will see it trend upward as the probe acclimates to your tank.
3) After about 72 hours you should see the readings level off.
4) Once the readings have leveled off, repeat the calibration steps. Make sure to dry the probe tip for the first calibration step in open air (00.0 PPT.)
5) Continue to watch the PPT readout for the next couple days to insure its reading has in fact leveled off. It is not unlikely to have to repeat these steps one or two times. Once the PPT has become stable, you may now use the PPT reading in your system for control.
6) Important notes: Inexpensive hydrometers are not suitable as a comparable baseline. While often consistent their reading can be off by several PPT. If doing an advanced comparison/qualification, use a high grade refractometer that has been properly calibrated.

While you read this, I am slowly unwrapping my SL2. Will post my experiences with this unit soon, so tune in.

Related posts:

1. MACNA Day 2: Digital Aquatics Beefs Up
2. Digital Aquatics: Begins Work On The TPC
3. Digital Aquatics: Sneak Peek at 2.0
4. Digital Aquatics To Be Releasing Float Switches
5. Digital Aquatics: RKL and NET in Harmony?

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