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A bit of false advertising.... By Darrel on 4/24/13
Darrel wouldn't recommend this product to a friend
Digital Aquatics says this unit has 4 controllable channels. What they don't tell you is that only 2 channels work when using "small pumps". When I had issues with the controller not turning off an air pump, this is what DA said:
"This is a common problem with small pumps. It is caused by a small amount of voltage being sent back through the pump when it is turned off. This causes the triac drivers used on CH 2 & 3 to click back on. This is not a defect in the PC4 and is caused by the device attached to the module. Channels 1 & 4 use relay's while 2 & 3 use triac drivers to control the channels, each type have positive and negatives which is why both are included in the PC4. The easiest way of solving this issue would be to move the device to CH1 or 4, if that is not an option a surge protector will also solve the issue. Some have also used 1' extension cables that have the lighted socket on the end as a solution."
This may not be a defect but it surely is a poor design.
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good but. By jimminorm on 4/8/13
jimminorm would recommend this product to a friend
Very good controller I am using it for my heaters only first the moment and temperature is rock solid .my only problems with this is not much info on programming and using the pc software. I wish there was more instructions on programming.
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Disappointing and frustrating By Mike on 3/29/13
Mike wouldn't recommend this product to a friend
There are no instructions anywhere about programming using a PC. You can't program all your modules while you have your PC plugged in because the PC consumes one port and there are exactly ZERO extra ports. This means you always have to have a module or sensor unplugged in order to do any programming. Of course you cannot program any module or use any sensor that's not currently plugged in. This is a huge design flaw for me.
You also have to carry ALL your modules over to your PC to program them. I can't imagine why they don't allow you to take only your head unit to your desk for programming but instead make you disconnect and remove every single thing plugged into the head unit and move it all to your computer. If you have a laptop it's easier but still not easy as you have to fight with the lack of a PORT!
I can't mount everything in a safe location away from potential spalshes because the cords are so short.
In short I believe the end performance may be ok as long as I never have a splash that gets the items wet.
The terrible ergonomics of the unit including the interface, lack of documentation, lack of a programming port, and extremely short cords make this a DON'T BUY for me.
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Nice product By Jeff on 3/24/13
Jeff would recommend this product to a friend
This is a great "toy". Obviously you can have a successful tank without this product but it sure does add to the fun and does simplify things such as emperor urges, lighting and such. I was going to buy a digital thermometer control and a wave maker which would have came to more than this product alone. I like hooking up my laptop and making changes/ alarms. If there is one negative is that it only has 4 outlet slots with the lite series but I guess that is why it is the "lite" after all leading to the only reason 4 of 5 stars. I cannot control all the things I want with only 4 slots so I am already going to be purchasing a 2nd strip which puts me near the 200 dollar mark. I love it though that's for sure.
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Great Controller, Instructions lacking By mupchu on 3/23/13
mupchu would recommend this product to a friend
Controller was easy enough to install and program once I jumped online to get all the documentation that was not in the box. Also wish the USB cord was longer. Overall very pleased with the purchase, but DA could have done a much better job. Box should include CD, and manuals (including the myreef2.0).
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Good product By cdbstl76 on 3/14/13
cdbstl76 would recommend this product to a friend
My primary reason for this purchase was to run items in my sump/refugium. I feel the instructions were poor, but a guide non-the-less. I figured out what I needed to on my own by just scrolling through a d checking all the settings out on my own. I now trust my system to maintain a stable temp and for my lights to come on in the sump at the right times at night. The piece of mind this provides, with the possibility of expansion in the future makes it well worth the money to me.
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Great Controller! By Phil on 3/12/13
Phil would recommend this product to a friend
I love this controller! Easy to use and install! Only way I could be happier with this is if I would have bought the pH probe and NET module
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I like it By ryan on 2/28/13
ryan would recommend this product to a friend
Bought this last week paid for two day shipping got it in 4 days not brs fault, opend the box got what I expected but very nice system hard to figure out but once u do its a awesome product thanks brs
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Nice Product By JOSEPH on 2/6/13
JOSEPH would recommend this product to a friend
Have only been using this for a couple months, and I am sure that I am not fully utilizing itss potential. Not as easy as I thought it would be to program, and the box was smashed up from BRS - but the contents were just fine - had me a little freaked out at first, but no complaints. As the system that this unit is attached to grows, I hope to expand the RKL to perform more task (not just lights and heaters as I have it now, but it does do this flawlessly).
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Good unit mostly! By Joe on 1/4/13
Joe would recommend this product to a friend
Unit works well. I am glad I bought it. Although it could be better! All the electrical plugs should be able to handle whatever I need them to not just two of the four on each strip. Also the alarms are very poor. You cannot adjust the volume and they are barely audible!
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Worth it and then some! By Tim on 12/20/12
Tim would recommend this product to a friend
I was skeptical about getting one of these. Didn't figure I needed it. I have to say, though, that it makes things much easier. I have a 58-gallon mixed reef and have the RKL Basic set up to control my temperature, lights, and fan. It was easy to program (though I wish they had software for a Mac) and I'm no digital genius. Instructions? Not the greatest, but the quick start guide is really all you need for the "basic." And if you get into trouble, you can email DA or BRS. For about 7 years, I ran a kind of bare bones tank with pretty good success, but this thing is a game-changer. Probably the neatest thing I've ever purchased for my system.
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Must have By Robert on 12/4/12
Robert would recommend this product to a friend
The Reefkeeper is easy to setup and does everything mentioned in the BRS videos. I highly recommend this product to anybody. Thanks BRS!!!
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Awesome! but hard to connect to myreef 2.0 By Adam on 12/2/12
Adam would recommend this product to a friend
This product is amazing and i will never set up a tank without one again. Every aspect of this controller is incredible. From the dedicated timers, to the controllers, to the head unit. My only complaint is that the instrctions provided by digital aquatics suck. I had to use the wonderful online chat from BRS to connect my RKL to my computer correctly. After connected, programming is a breeze. I just wish i would have gotten the plus. Best controller and value on the market!! It would get 5 stars if it wasnt for the stupid instructions.
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Great Product. By James on 11/28/12
James would recommend this product to a friend
Bought this after purchasing the BRS Complete Alk/Ca/Mg dosing system. I needed something to control the pumps. Looking at digital timers and etc. I felt from a cost and flexibility perspective this was the easier chose. I found it hard to find a timer that would do less than a minute and various schedules I felt may be required for dosing. I already had a ReefKeeper 2 therefore knew Digital Aquatics made a good product. I have a unique setup where my sump is in the garage which made it impossible to use RK2.
Now that I have this and with the modular design I'll planning build this out enough to replace the RK2. With the RD1 I can have a panel in the garage and one in the house by the tank.
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Want piece of mine? BUY AN RKL By Alex on 10/6/12
Alex would recommend this product to a friend
I got a ReefKeeper lite Lvl 1 after finding out that 3 times with internal backup and a power strip would run me upwards of 70 bucks. This meant for another 45 I could get a device to control them to the T with the ability to monitor my heater (heater failure is one of the top causes for reef crash). The Modular design makes in easy to expand to your needs, no requirement to shell out hundreds at once. I have since added a PC4 and SL1 and couldn't be happier.
Seriously, stop thinking about it and make the purchase! Your one stuck heater away from a fried tank.
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best value hands down! By mike on 10/4/12
mike would recommend this product to a friend
this product is outright awesome, so happy with it. surperior functionality. has saved my tank more than once
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AWESOME STARTER CONTROLLER By Bo on 9/15/12
Bo would recommend this product to a friend
This is a great starter system for the price. You can always add more modules as you need but for most beginners into reefing, this is more than adequate to handle lights, protein skimmer, heater and pump needs. If you have more outlet needs as this comes with 4, you can always get another outlet strip (PC4) to handle your needs. Overall this is a great product, fairly straightforward, and cost effective way to get into automating your tank.
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WHY DID I WAIT THIS LONG? By Jason on 9/14/12
Jason would recommend this product to a friend
Just purchased the ReefKeeper Lite to control my lighting and temps. I was able to program two light cycles and set up my heater and cooling fans in only twenty minutes. I cannot believe I waited this long to do it.
Make sure to visit the DA website to download the product manual. It sure makes it easier to understand.
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Good controller, Bad instructions By Steven on 8/30/12
Steven would recommend this product to a friend
Have to say, I am happy with the controller, but the instructions are worthless. If I hadn't watched the BRS video setup, I might have returned it. But with their video and the digital aquatics forum, I figured it out. All in all it is a great product, and kudos to the BRS guys.
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must have! By mikey on 8/15/12
mikey would recommend this product to a friend
this unit does it all for half the cost of most other controllers! couldn't believe how well this worked and how easy it was to set up. and the fact that its fully expandable makes it a great purchase for a beginner looking to expand
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A Must Buy By Viet on 8/1/12
Viet would recommend this product to a friend
The Reefkeeper is easy to setup and does everything mentioned in the BRS videos. I highly recommend this product to anybody. Thanks BRS!!!
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ease of knowing By Bruce on 8/1/12
Bruce would recommend this product to a friend
this product has made tank management so easy i can finally just sit and enjoy the beauty which is this hobby.
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Good device overall By Alex on 7/31/12
Alex would recommend this product to a friend
I bought reefkeeper to automate my fans, lights, heaters, etc. I didn't have as many issues as some others reported here, but after 20 years in IT, I do agree that the software is quirky and sometimes unstable. The cost of accessories is also outrageous.
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Fantastic By Ron on 7/12/12
Ron would recommend this product to a friend
Great Product, I love this controller and the fact that it can expand with me and my hobby at a great price.
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Fantastic By Ron on 7/12/12
Ron would recommend this product to a friend
I love this controller, Great for what I need and is capable of expanding with my hobby!!
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Heat control!!!! By JDR on 6/17/12
JDR would recommend this product to a friend
This thing can do a lot I'm still figuring out everything that i can do with it. I have my AI sols, heater, and wave controller hooked up to it and its doing a super great job. Confusing at first but you'll get the hang of it.
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Works like a charm By robert on 6/4/12
robert would recommend this product to a friend
I have this controller working my M/H, Attinic, Heater, And chiller.... By far worth every penny spent..... Dont know why there is any bad reviews on this system..... Everyone should run this controller on there tanks.... I love it
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Great unit for a Great price By Bill on 5/29/12
Bill would recommend this product to a friend
Everything worked great right out of the box. Easy to setup and program. I have used this unit on a 2 gallon pico and 200 gallon progagation system and it did the job for both setups, very flexible on how it can be used. I did purchase an SL1 module to use it as an ATO, but that the great thing about this system, it is very expandable.
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Best Purchase By Ark on 5/24/12
Ark would recommend this product to a friend
I don't know how I ever lived without this device. Now 2 PC4's later, most of my tank is controlled by this device. Takes a lot of the work and time out so you can do other things and enjoy your tank more.
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great By maxx on 5/14/12
maxx would recommend this product to a friend
I love this system. I use the temperature controller and wave maker settings and timers. You will defiantly get your moneys worth when you buy this.
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Love the automation! By John on 5/11/12
John would recommend this product to a friend
The reefkeeper makes everything simple to control. It is defiantly easier to set up the controller with a computer. Once it is set up, it just works!! Patiently awaiting the release of the upgraded SL2 to be available so I can monitor Ph and salinity The only downfall is that I should have upgraded to the next level to get the extra controllers all in one package, but all in all, not a bad price for what it does out of the box!
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Easy to Use By Parjaree on 5/7/12
Parjaree would recommend this product to a friend
Easy to setup and use. Accurate temperature monitoring.
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Light and heat control By Nicholas on 4/13/12
Nicholas would recommend this product to a friend
This monitor can do so many things, but I bought this version to get ready for summer, since I keep my house between 79-80; some sort of device to keep my tank in check so that it doesn't get so hot is going to be needed and this fits the bill. I haven't set it up with an alarm yet, but will soon so that it will let me know if that tank gets above 81.5. I was surprised to also see that the amps are registered through the computer too, good to know how much my heater really pulls so that I can be sure it will not overload the plugs.
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This is a great controller By Steve on 3/26/12
Steve would recommend this product to a friend
First off, BomBoms and James, don't blame your being stupid and inept on the reefkeeper. It did not almost kill your corals, you did. This thing is great. Controls my lights, my calcium reactor, and my temperature. I'll be upgrading to an elite, but for now the lite is simply awesome. I do wish it controlled more than just 4 devices, as my SL1, PC4, ALC, and second PC4 will have it maxed out and I want to add a net module. That said, it's well worth the money.
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can't live without it By mygolfisslow on 3/14/12
mygolfisslow would recommend this product to a friend
this is probably the best money ever spent on my tank. i don't think i could reef without it. programing on the keypad is not bad, but with the myreef software it could not be easier. everyone with a reef should have one.
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under average product and bad support By BOMBOM on 3/11/12
BOMBOM wouldn't recommend this product to a friend
i got this controller year ago, and i couldn’t be more disappointed.
the controller work fine if you are intending to use it only as a timer for your light(which you can do with 10$ timer unites rather than use this controller). but any other functionality like
- temperature control and reading
- PH reading and control
- dosing
- collect statistics
- controlling chillers
- controlling fans
forget about it, anything except timers are buggy and always crash and give bad reading. i tried to contact the customer care, they were not useful at all, all what they will say is: calibrate the probs, restore the unit to factory default, or my personal favorite, wait for news software release.
i think getting other unites like the neptune is much better choice and better investment for the future/
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Great Controller Once Set Up By Evan on 2/20/12
Evan would recommend this product to a friend
So far, the Reefkeeper Lite L1 has been a very good controller so far. I did have a little trouble setting it up due to the severe lack of instructions that came with the Reefkeeper. Once it was up and running, it works just like Digital Aquatics claims.
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SO COOL!!! By jake on 2/13/12
jake would recommend this product to a friend
I am never starting an aquarium without one of these
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Great Product! By Todd on 2/9/12
Todd would recommend this product to a friend
Very easy to set up and program. Now I know why it gets such great reviews. Would never set up another aquarium without one! BRS Rocks!
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Best deal around By Stephen on 1/25/12
Stephen would recommend this product to a friend
Everything worked out of the box. Took off a star because this, and everything from Digital Aquatics has horrible documentation available with it. Its a crap shoot to figure everything out, and going on the forums and asking other owners is the best way to learn how to do that. To me, this constitutes a poor effort of QC on the part of DA. The product does work great. On a side note, if I had to do everything all over again, I would have opted out of the SL1 included, and instead got an SL2, since I do not does ozone, so do not need to monitor it, but would prefer the salinity monitor that comes with the SL2. An RJ-11 (6 prong) splitter is a must if you wish to have it constantly hooked to the computer. DA does not have any, but you can locate them online if you search for them.
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love it By Frank on 11/23/11
Frank would recommend this product to a friend
nice and easy
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Great Product for the Money.. By Brandon on 10/25/11
Brandon would recommend this product to a friend
Great product for the money, i was originally put off by using a controller because it seemed so complicated to program. Then i learned that the RK can be hooked up to a laptop to program each outlet very easily, i was sold. Works great price isnt bad either
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BAD Design! By James on 10/22/11
James wouldn't recommend this product to a friend
I wish I handn't wasted my time and money on this controller. It almost killed all my coral twice and the suport for this controller is a waste of time. After asking you what you did wrong and asking you to reprogram it three or four times you might get to mail it back at your own expence just to get the same thing you had to start with. Mine had lost of things that didnt work with it.To save time Here is a list of thing that might not work with this controller.
T5s
LEDs
Fans
Heaters
and more or less anything else with a plug.
Do a search on RKL outlet not working and read on
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Save $$$$$$ on Equipment and Disaters By Adam on 10/20/11
Adam would recommend this product to a friend
I had No idea how valuable controllers were until I installed them. This not only prevents problems from happening in your tank but saves hundreds in single purpose controllers, timers, undertank clutter and test kits. The only 2 problem I have now are a box of about $400 of equipment I don't need anymore and I get to play in my tank less...Great product for beginner to advanced reefers!
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good controler By Keith on 10/16/11
Keith would recommend this product to a friend
can be a little overwhelming at first but once you get the hang of how this controler works you will love it
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Amazing controller and can't beat the price! By Aaron on 9/30/11
Aaron would recommend this product to a friend
It's amazing how much the RKL can do, and now its hard to imagine how i ever managed without it. My only complaint would be the 4 module limit on the rkl, I only have one module on it right now, but i do plan to add more in the future, and it would be nice to have more expandability without having to get the elite.
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Easy to Use By Tom on 9/17/11
Tom would recommend this product to a friend
The RKL is a great product. It is easily expandable and simple to set up. I have mine hooked up to my 75g system. Right now im just running all my lights and heater of the system. I also added the net module which was a little hard to get set up but provide great functionality if you need to check on you tank if your out of town etc. Overall I think this is a great starter controller. My recommendation would be spend the extra cash and get the mid level package.
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Does its job By Jim on 9/4/11
Jim would recommend this product to a friend
Right now I'm using it to control the heaters, fans, and ato. Before I had the RKL on my tank my temperatures would fluctuate between 78* and 81*, now that I have the RKL on my tank the temperatures stay within 1/2 of a degree of 77.9*. Also topping off my tank was a nightmare due to loosing around a gallon a day from evaporation, now I just fill up the bucket every 3-4 days. It does its job really well and its also the cheapest controller on the market other than making an arduino diy controller. There's only one thing that bugged me when I got my RKL and that was the serious lack of an instruction manual.
Pros.
Cheap
Controls your stuff
Expandability
Can protect your tank from heater malfunction
Cons.
No instruction manual
Nothing else yet