Update on the ReefKeeper Elite

Well, I am back from vacation and was able to start working with the RKE.  The directions do not get into specifics on how to connect everything up, so I just took a shot at it.  And, man, is it easy.  Each module has two ports (1 and 2) for the bus cable.  The head unit has a single port.  Simply connect the head unit to either the SL1 (module for temp/pH/ORP probes) or the PC4.  Then daisy chain them from there.

Once a PC4 is plugged in, the system has power.  NOTE:  You need to turn down the contrast on the display or you get vertical lines through it.

I started by calibrating the temp and pH probes and then placed them in the sump.  I enabled the graphing and let them do their thing for a few days.  Then I hooked up a heater to the PC4 and programmed it to go on if the temp goes below 78.5.  You can also set the degrees of latitude.  I set it at .4  So, the heater goes on when the temp reaches 78.3 (-.2) and goes off when it reaches 78.7(+.2).

That is all I have done for now.  I need to order a 20ft bus cable so I can run that up stairs to the main tank.  Once that is done, I will set the fans to run on a PC2 upstairs and set them to go on when the temperature reaches 79.5. 

I also need to order 2 more PC4s for all of my lights upstairs and downstairs and another SL1 to monitor the pH in the CA reactor.  Once that is complete, I will be able to have multiple programs that evaluate the ph of the tank and turn the ca reactor solenoid on or off.

One of the things that the unit has already told me is that my pH is low.  It is hovering just below 8.0 at around 7.9.  I would really like that value in the 8.1-8.2 range, so I have to figure out whether the probe is poorly calibrated or the pH is low and then fix that.

ReefKeeper Elite Arrived!

My ReefKeeper Elite (RKE) arrived today!  No time to set it up.  It will have to wait.  But, here are some pictures!!!

 

Picture Time!

I have not been posting a lot lately, but for good reason.  I changed jobs at the beginning of the month and it has been hectic.  But, i have not been neglecting my tank.  I still haven't gotten my AquaC calcium reactor dialed in correctly yet.  I think it is too high up above the sump but I have to build a little shelf to lower it down, so for now, it is off.

The Reefkeeper Elite from Digital Aquatics shipped last week and mine is due to arrive tomorrow.  I will definitely keep you all int he loop on that one.  I am psyched.

In the meantime, I purchased a school of bangai cardinals who all perished and I mentioend that I purchased 3 anthias (1 male, 2 females) and only one female survived.  I definitely have a fish problem.  For now, I am not buying any more fish.  The existing fish all seem healthy and fine.  They are:

• 2 false percula clowns
• 1 yellow watchman goby
• 1 lawnmower blenny
• 1 female pink anthias
• 1 coral beauty
• 1 blue hippo tang

Also, my tank was getting very warm.  The daytime temp was over 84 degrees which was stressing my corals, causing diatom blooms and possibly part of the reason for my fish loss.  But, I just can't stomach $700-$1000 for a chiller right now.  So, I went to Radio Shack and bought 3 large AC fans.  I got plugs and electrical cord from the hardware store and mounted them on the beck of the tank blowing out across the water.  WOW is all I can say. The tank now stays at 79.5 with the fans on and goes to 80.1 with the lights off and fans off at night.  Highly recommend this!

So, now for some pictures.  I cleaned all the coraline off the back glass and took these pictures on Sunday night.  There are a lot of them so I hope you enjoy!  Some are out of focus, but I am getting better every time I use the camera.  It is just a Canon SD1000.

 

 

 

That's all for now...  Enjoy!