RKE or RKE w/NEt

Mr.Ghostly

Mr.Ghostly

New member
Can anyone tell me the difference between ReefKeeper Elite w/ Net - Digital Aquatics, and the ReefKeeper Elite V2 - Digital Aquatics. I mean i see that the one w/Net has 6ft USB cord and the w/Net one is roughly 100 bucks more expensive. But is that 100 bucks more just the 6ft USB cable or is the something else it offers?
 
The difference is one is wifi and one is not. The NET module allows more access, mobile access to your systems info. I personally didn't think it was necessary, but some have. I have the RKE and it does everything I need and more, super easy to use, and rather cost effective. The NET feature is pretty cool, but not required really.
 
^^^^ Ben beat me by 3 seconds:)

The ReefKeeper Elite V2 does not bring the net module which is needed if you want to connect from outside your house and the Elite w/net bring that module.
 
Well, I have an apex controller and being able to monitor/control it from my phone is the best part.
 
Well it's not WIFI really. You would need a wireless bridge or a LAN connection to make it access able thru your home network. I have a Wireless bridge/Game adapter so that I would not have to run more cable thru the house. Which would be a pain since I have my modem and WAN upstairs in the living room.
 
RedDevil.258 said:
Well it's not WIFI really. You would need a wireless bridge or a LAN connection to make it access able thru your home network. I have a Wireless bridge/Game adapter so that I would not have to run more cable thru the house. Which would be a pain since I have my modem and WAN upstairs in the living room.
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So what you are saying is that if I have a Modem/router near by to it I could hook it up and it would out put the samething as a the w/Net?
 
Oh man its the greatest thing ever.
I can go on for hours about it, but I'll write a quick review.....tomorrow. :)
 
lol, I guess I'm just not hardcore enough to want to see my tanks stats all the time. Then again, my wife stays at home, so she's able to keep an eye on things for me.
 
yogoshio said:
lol, I guess I'm just not hardcore enough to want to see my tanks stats all the time. Then again, my wife stays at home, so she's able to keep an eye on things for me.
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I'm like the only one that pays attention to it parents are like ohhh pretty lol so a little accesability would be nice if its not too big of price tag
 
Mr.Ghostly said:
So what you are saying is that if I have a Modem/router near by to it I could hook it up and it would out put the samething as a the w/Net?
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No in order to see any activity on a computer you would need the NET module. The NET mod allows you to program and moniter your RKE via your PC, at home on your wireless network or if you have it setup properly outside your home network ie office computer. You would make this possible by connecting the NET mod directly to you home modem with an ordinary ethernet cable OR a wireless bridge/game adapter(which is how I have it set up). Once this link is established you can mointer and control your tank on your PC/smartphone. If you purchased the RKE with out the NET mod you could still program it with a PC but only with a direct link using the USB on your computer and the bus connector on the RKE. The special connector is included in your system. All the programs are available on the Digital Aquatics forum and the third party programs for smartphones are located at their prospective app stores. Hope this helps.
 
If seeing everything on your smartphone is worth $100, then do it. It personally wouldn't make a difference to me, because I can't always just leave work and come home if I see an issue. Without the NET, using the USB, you still get all computer functionality, just not on your smartphone.
 
yogoshio said:
If seeing everything on your smartphone is worth $100, then do it. It personally wouldn't make a difference to me, because I can't always just leave work and come home if I see an issue. Without the NET, using the USB, you still get all computer functionality, just not on your smartphone.
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Oh it is!! it's just that little piece of mind. I also have a simple water spillage senor attached to my RKE to monitor the sump and surrounding area around the DT. That way even if I am home and not around the tank I will be covered. Plus threres the bragging rights and the WOW factor. Plus if your like me and already have soo much invested in the system whats another $100 bucks! It has really allowed me to enjoy my reef tank more and not have to do more maintenace, testing and worring.
 
If you have an iPhone, I would definitely get the Apex. Neptune (Apex) has an official app for the iPhone. It's awesome. Before, a random person made their app (Aquanotes), but the official one that came out is so much better. In app history, live monitoring graphs, controling outlets, programming outlets/profiles, and pretty much everything else you need.

I recommend the Apex unit, but both the Apex Jr. and Apex Lite come with the same network capabilities. There is an ethernet port on the controller. You can run an ethernet cable to your router, but I just use a tiny Netgear wireless adapter and it works great.

I keep quite a bit of money invested in sps corals, and if something is wrong, I would leave work immediately because the amount of money I would lose from a tank crash is far worse than any repercutions from leaving early. I have never had to leave though because the controller is programmed with failsafes just incase something extreme would happen. If anything is wrong with my tank, I immediately get both an email and a text message stating what the issue is, which is a great feature.

I love all the modules you can buy. I control my AI LEDs and Vortech MP40s straight from my phone because there are modules for them. My Apex controls: Vortech MP40s, AI LEDs, heater, kalk stirrer, fans, calcium reactor (Contols output of CO2 tank, makes sure I have the exact pH in my calcium reactor that I want), refugium LEDs, skimmer, AutoTopOff, feed cycles, ect.
I have 2 pH probes, one for tank, one for calcium reactor, Salinity probe, ORP probe, and 2 temp probes.

Float switches for ATO are very easy to connect/program as is everything else. It's not cheap, but is probably one of the best investments I have made.

Here's a picture inside my stand:
Note: My salinity is not this high. It is at 34 ppm. When I upgraded tanks, this probe was taken out of water and needs to be recalibrated. I have a bunch of pH calibration fluid, but ran out of salinity. You do need to calibrate every probe (except temp) when you switch tanks and the probe leaves water. pH is nighttime pH I just took the picture and lights do not come on for another 30min. pH is my tank pH. pH2 is my reactors pH. The display is nice and all and makes it easy to calibrate and setup network settings, but I monitor/control everything from my iPhone.

View attachment 3287
 
+1 Thats whats up!! Apex has been doing it for a few more years than Digital Aquatics and they certainly have the support down! DA is the more affordable ones but have horrible customer services.

Greg how do you like the WXM? I would sell my entire DA rig just to restart with AQ Apex! DA is so stubborn they say that there is no intrest in that mod. I have over $800 invested in RKE and RKL!! What a bunch of jerks!
 
Well, I use it for feed mode. I am going to have it programmed to run on 80% Reef Crest Mode for most of the day, and throw in a couple short cycles of Nutrient export mode every day just for kicks (all sps tank). You can make it switch modes/speeds at certain times like quieter/lower at night if its in your bedroom. Its a pretty cool module, but its only for people who want to mess with the modes.
Most of the time my 2 MP40s are on 80% Reef Crest Mode. I can program a thunderstorm with my AI LEDs and make my vortechs go nuts, but I don't really bother with any of that.

From my experience Neptune has always had great support.
 
Greg said:
If you have an iPhone, I would definitely get the Apex. Neptune (Apex) has an official app for the iPhone. It's awesome. Before, a random person made their app (Aquanotes), but the official one that came out is so much better. In app history, live monitoring graphs, controling outlets, programming outlets/profiles, and pretty much everything else you need.

I recommend the Apex unit, but both the Apex Jr. and Apex Lite come with the same network capabilities. There is an ethernet port on the controller. You can run an ethernet cable to your router, but I just use a tiny Netgear wireless adapter and it works great.

I keep quite a bit of money invested in sps corals, and if something is wrong, I would leave work immediately because the amount of money I would lose from a tank crash is far worse than any repercutions from leaving early. I have never had to leave though because the controller is programmed with failsafes just incase something extreme would happen. If anything is wrong with my tank, I immediately get both an email and a text message stating what the issue is, which is a great feature.

I love all the modules you can buy. I control my AI LEDs and Vortech MP40s straight from my phone because there are modules for them. My Apex controls: Vortech MP40s, AI LEDs, heater, kalk stirrer, fans, calcium reactor (Contols output of CO2 tank, makes sure I have the exact pH in my calcium reactor that I want), refugium LEDs, skimmer, AutoTopOff, feed cycles, ect.
I have 2 pH probes, one for tank, one for calcium reactor, Salinity probe, ORP probe, and 2 temp probes.

Float switches for ATO are very easy to connect/program as is everything else. It's not cheap, but is probably one of the best investments I have made.

Here's a picture inside my stand:
Note: My salinity is not this high. It is at 34 ppm. When I upgraded tanks, this probe was taken out of water and needs to be recalibrated. I have a bunch of pH calibration fluid, but ran out of salinity. You do need to calibrate every probe (except temp) when you switch tanks and the probe leaves water. pH is nighttime pH I just took the picture and lights do not come on for another 30min. pH is my tank pH. pH2 is my reactors pH. The display is nice and all and makes it easy to calibrate and setup network settings, but I monitor/control everything from my iPhone.

View attachment 3287
Click to expand...

Thanks for your review on it, I will prob end up buying it later tonight online or what not. The way I think about this is that its an investment into the hobby. If its like 40 more than why not
 
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