Elite Reef | Reef Keeper Lite Reviewed

mikejrice

Nurse Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#1


ReefKeeper LiteThe new ReefKeeper Lite is an exciting new product from Digital Aquatics! It's small, expandable and perfect for nano tanks, beginners, and people looking for a mid level controller!
The ReefKeeper Lite or RKL, has a 5 (mechanical) button interface and a larger 16 x 2 LCD display for easy readability. The RKL will have more than enough power to monitor and control single tank systems, as well as small to mid sized tanks alike!
The RKL is the only controller under $150 that offers four outlets and temperature control while still providing the customer an upgrade path as their system or needs grow!
With up to four add-onmodules, this new controller is perfect for streamlining your tank without breaking the bank!
Any level you purchase can be added to, up to the four module limit. The RKL can interface with PC4s, SL1s, and the MLC. It can NOT interface with the SL2, NET and other modules yet to be released. Those modules require the RKE system with more advanced features and abilities.

NEW - Expandability!
The RKL can interface with up to 4 modules in almost any configuration you'd like. (Limited to PC4s, SL1s and MLCs)

NEW - Data reporting
The RKL can report the min, max and average over the last 1 hour for all inputs and outputs!

NEW - Improved 5 button interface
The RKL has a 5 button interface; a big improvement over traditional 3 button interfaces that are currently used for entry level controllers!

NEW - 16 dedicated timers
You can set up to 16 timers with day of week capability!

NEW - Audible and Visual feedback
The RKL offers a first for an entry level controller with audible and visual feedback!

NEW - 16 dedicated alarms
Get informed! Set alarms to alert you of almost any event in your system that you need to know about

NEW - Control functions
Improved controller, multi-timer, light, lunar, and pump controls help keep you in complete control of your system!

Upgradeable Firmware with USB Adapter
Updating the RKL via USB when new software features are released is easy and straight forward. Better yet it's included at no extra cost!

Night Mode - Independently Programmable
Night mode can be configured independent of your light configuration so that moonlights and pumps can be adjusted in the evening times.

Wavemaker
There are 2 wavemaker cycles in the ReefKeeper Lite, cycles A and b. When a channel is designated as a pump you can select a wavemaker cycle A or B. The two alternate opposite each other to simulate wave motion. Under the wavemaker setup you choose how long you want each cycle time to be by dialing an A/B cycle time. During night mode the cycle can be turned off to give a calming affect.

Standby/Feed mode
Just as in all Digital Aquatics controllers, the RKL has a Standby mode that can be programmed from 1 to 59 minutes. When in "Standby" ReefKeeper Lite turns off the powerheads and sump and skimmer pumps that are programmed to be off during standby mode for the set time or until "Standby" is backed out of.
Standby/Feed mode helps reduce the bio load on the tank by maximizing the food eaten by fish and corrals and minimizing waste. Food will not get whisked away into the sump filter and to dead spots in your tank. Standby mode is also useful when it is time to perform maintenance on your tank and you need all the water pumps to be temporarily turned off.

Head unit can be mounted in a number of ways for the custom professional look
The display unit has several mounting options to accommodate different configurations. It can be mounted flush to your hood/cabinet for a sleek look by cutting out a rectangle. It can also be mounted easily to any flat surface with or without the mounting tabs.

Splash proof face plate
The front of the remote display has a custom faceplate so that a little water on it doesn't cause any problems. The unit menu system can be navigated with wet hands without any problems.

Internal backup battery for clock and settings
The internal battery will last for years keeping the time and settings of the ReefKeeper Lite. A power outage will not require the adjustments that traditional light timers need after the power is restored.

Simple menu system for easy configuration
The menu system is an easy-to-use interface that allows you to setup the ReefKeeper Lite to meet your specific needs. The 5 buttons under the display are used to navigate through the menu for setting up which features you want to link to which outlets and other setup.
The Reef Keeper Lite is the first controller I have tested out after resisting dropping the money on something I had thought of as only a luxury item, and it surprises me at every turn. when I thought of a controller, I always assumed I was paying a premium for a fancy timer, but boy was I wrong!

I started out by connecting it in the fashion that is most common. I hooked up the included temperature probe and set the controller to turn my heater on and off when the temperature changed. what I didn't count on is the probe reading in tenths of degrees and being able to control the heater in the same. It easily keeps the tank temperature with a tenth of the degree I set no matter what ambient temperature is doing.

I also connected all my lights and streamlined my set-up as far as timers go. This is where I left it for about a week as I read through the manual and looked at the upgrade options it has, but as I was reading I found some shocking options. The Reef Keeper Lite can control the included sockets in one second intervals. This means that it can easily be used as a finely tuned dosing system if mated with some lifter pumps and chemical containers.

I couldn't resist the urge to try it out, so I mixed up some chemical for A & B parts in one gallon jugs and picked up a couple of dosing pumps. Part A (Calcium) is set to kick on at nine, and part B (Alkalinity) is set to kick on at ten to prevent mixing of the two. As with all dosing I started out on the low side and slowly worked my way up to maintain the levels I was after, and after about a month of running the system it is still maintaining my levels at all times. The Reef Keeper Lite is the most amazing addition I have ever made to my reef, and for about $100 it's much cheaper than some of the other equipment.

There are also many upgrades available for the system, and I'm already looking at adding additional plugs, ph and salinity monitoring and the internet box to keep me updated on the go.
 
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