Frag'd It » reefkeeper elite http://blog.fragd.it Reefs, coral, fish and aquariums. Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:24:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2 Long awaited release of the ReefKeeper Elite (RKE).. http://blog.fragd.it/2008/05/31/long-awaited-release-of-the-reepkeeper-elite-rke/ http://blog.fragd.it/2008/05/31/long-awaited-release-of-the-reepkeeper-elite-rke/#comments Sat, 31 May 2008 13:44:00 +0000 vlad http://blog.fragd.it/?p=57 Well, folks have been waiting patiently for this controller (RKE) for some time. They even anxiously submitted their emails just to be notified of a pre-order. I was one of ‘those people’. So Wednesday night, I get an email from Scott (at Digital Aquatics), telling me that I should run to his website to pre-order this controller. Now normally, I would wait for at least 6 months after a release to puchase that product. But knowing that they have released ReefKeeper 1 AND 2 before, it was a just a matter of transition. Here are the specs:

Ethernet Capable
Wireless Communication
Upgradeability
NEW – Advanced 11 button CapSense interface
NEW – 128 x 64 Graphical display (w/RGB backlight and 30 background colors)
NEW – More then 250 Programmable Channels
Multiple Mounting Options
NEW – Home Screen (w/easy to read icons and data)
Simple menu system for easy configuration
Night Mode – Independently Programmable
NEW – 64 Alarms
NEW – Data Logging
NEW – Data Graphing
Metal Halide control with “Sure-On”
NEW – Light Timer with Weekday/Weekend schedules and safety temp cut off
Moon Light Controller (optional)
NEW – Multi-timer function
NEW – 64 Dedicated Timers
NEW – 2 Standby/Feed/Service modes
Control Functions
Sumps/Skimmers pump control
Wavemaker A/B and C/D pump control
NEW – Top-off pump control
NEW – Key Lock
Battery Backup
NEW – Audible Feedback
Splash-proof Faceplate
Upgradeable Firmware

And this is all for just 490$ US. Bad deal, I think not. It sure trumps a lot of stripped down controllers for a lot more money.

As a result of this release, or pre-order, many users of other controllers (such as Profilux or Aquatronica) are engaging in a ‘friendly’ verbal war. Scanning the ‘sites I found many are either bitter, or trying to justify their purchases. It is sad really, as it is supposed to be your purchase for your tank. So I hope you did research for your tank before getting the controller. “But Profilux has a dimmable T5 or T8 controller”. Unless you have these lights, this controller feature is useless. Buy your controller for the need of your tank, not because it has all the bells and whistles.

So the wait will be on for the shipment of these units. I am very eager to see what i can come up with for it to control… automatic waterchanges anyone??

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