[Poseidon]

I'd add a couple of the extra outlets.... OR you can reduce your lighting to 2 outlets, instead of 4.

If you are using a pH controller, then the RK will just be a monitor, so no worries there. (Are you using a Ca Reactor on this?)

[Samper]

Yes Ca and Kalk reactors are on their way from MRC.

[Samper]

Originally Posted by Reefland

As for the pH controller, can't you just add 2 outlets to the one outlet on the controller to handle both devices?

The RK2 only has one place a ph probe can plug into it. I don't see how that can be split and run both controllers that I need. If not then I guess that one port will serve as one of my ph controllers and I just buy the other milwaukee to serve as the reverse controller.

I'm learning about these so I'm not sure if that will work.

[DonW]

Lets see if I have this right. You want to monitor the tank. If the ph goes to high then you want to shut down the ato. If the ph goes to low then you want to shut down the co2.

This is a simple task with the use of one probe in the tank if you are using controlled outlets like the dc4 or 8 for the rk2. Your just coding the logic into the rk2.

Don

[Samper]

Don I need the expanded elementary version of that statement please. The RK2 is well within the budget.

[Samper]

Here is the finished sump.

[Samper]

And the rest.

[kgeorge]

It looks good man. I like the idea of painting it black to hide the baffles. I may end up doing that as well...

[scubadude]

Originally Posted by Samper

Rocky...I need to get ahold of Rick. Email hasn't worked. Any ideas?

I been trying to get in touch w/him too.....His mailbox on RC is full, and I lost his phone number. and he hasnt responded to PM here on RL.

[charlie]

What type of paint did you use??

Things are looking pretty good!

[DonW]

Originally Posted by Samper

Don I need the expanded elementary version of that statement please. The RK2 is well within the budget.

The Dc 4 or 8 are relay controled outlets for the RK. It uses simple logic to switch the outlets off and on.

If ph is < ?? Then turn off/on a particular outlet. You just have to be careful with what you want to control. The RK is more prone to failure of temp and ph probes. Dont let it make important decisions without a redundant back-up.


Don

[Samper]

Paint used was Krylon Fusion. It's for plastic but works well on glass. I went over the outside with a very rough sandpaper before painting but I don't think that's necessary.

Don, so even though there is only one connection on the controller for a ph probe that one reading can be used to operate equipment running on 4 and 8?

So here is the scenario. Auto top off is running through the Kalk reactor. It somehow gets stuck on and the ph goes up to say 8.45. The RK2 kills power to the aatoc closing the solenoid and stopping the problem before it becomes one. The safety lies on the reeftek atoc because it has two floats. If one fails the other also will kill the flow through it. Since the level will be strictly maintained at a certain point via the first float even if it fails there shouldn't be a huge overdose of kalk due to the second one...and it's positioned about 2" above the first but if for some reason that second float fails the RK2 can kill power to the atoc all together. Also I think the the RK2 can only be programmed to run at a minimum of 30 seconds when operating the kalk reactor. The MRC that I've ordered has the timers on it that can be set to dose at a minimum of 15 seconds so that should be a safety too right? Only 15 second bursts of limewater doses.

Also is there going to be a pressure or leakage problem if the float is telling the atoc to run but the reactor is closed at the moment?



The Ca reactor I'm not so much worried about. I may just set it and test regularly like I've done with mine at home since I'll already have a ph reading to go by.

[DonW]

Correct. Do you have a link to the kalk reactor? I would never allow the output of a kalk reactor or ca reactor to be controlled. Controlling the input is the only way I would do it. I know a few people that have exploded kalk and calcium reactors due to pluged outlets or failed solenoids. Rodi pressure is enough to break a kalk reactor and co2 bottle pressure is enough to blow up a carx. You may have to do a little experimenting with the probe placement also depending on the amount of the actual top off it may shut the kalk reactor off prematurly.

Don

[Samper]

Here is a link to the reactor

MRC--Nilsen Reactors

[DonW]

Originally Posted by Samper

Here is a link to the reactor

MRC--Nilsen Reactors

By the looks of it the reactor doesnt actually close the outlet. It just has a interval timer controlling mix time and duration so I dont think there will be a conflict with your plan.

Don

[Samper]

Don thank you very much. I'm still not 100% sure I want the rk2 and if anyone can make an argument against it I'm willing to hear it.

[DonW]

Originally Posted by Samper

Don thank you very much. I'm still not 100% sure I want the rk2 and if anyone can make an argument against it I'm willing to hear it.

My argument is that its not needed and will over complicate things. They are prone to fauilure of both the ph and temp probes. I tend not to put all my eggs in one basket when it comes to controlling my tank. I cant think of anything my current system cant do on its own but in reality its very complicated and could easily get by with just a good ato and lighting tmer.

Don

[Samper]

I've never ran one on any of my tanks and they look great but I'm around every day. This aquarium will be on its own during the weekends when the building is closed. I don't absolutely need one and I may just put the money towards livestock.

What sort of digital monitoring and controllers do you use?

This is what came in today.

[charlie]

Look at all the new toys, it's like Christmas in Sept.

[DonW]

Originally Posted by Samper

What sort of digital monitoring and controllers do you use?

You dont want to get me started on automation and control systems. I use a Ocelot controller that is sort of a hybrid plc but much more versital. My tank knows pretty much everthing all the time. It does wierd unheard of in this hobby type automation.
My new system will not do anything but what I have learned is truely needed. This definatly excludes any controllers. Its nice but I'm getting old.

Don