Features
- Total Aquarium Control
- Automate Lighting
- Wave Timing for Powerheads
- Temperature control - Heaters, Fans, Chiller etc.
- pH Monitoring and Control
- Data Logging
- Night Mode
- Feed Mode
- and more!
Description
ReefKeeper 2
Control, monitor and automate your aquarium with the Reefkeeper 2.
Also great for planted freshwater aquariums!
pH Monitoring and Control – New!
The ReefKeeper’s pH feature allows the user to monitor pH to 0.01 resolution.
A channel can be linked to the pH measurement to control devices that raise
and lower pH. All common pH probes are supported and an easy calibration will
ensure an accurate reading. Purchase the pH probe separately on our online
store.
Upgradeable Firmware with Free PC Cable Adapter – New!
Customers will be able to update their unit when new software features are
released. The serial cable adapter is included with the RK2 system and the
firmware update program will be available for free download whenever new software
is released. To perform an update you simply press the "Go" button
on the firmware update program. Then the program auto-detects the serial port
and performs the upload, it's that easy!

BLUE Backlight LCD & LEDs (with dimming!) – New!
The ReefKeeper 2 now comes with an even sleeker design employing a blue backlit
LCD, blue status LEDs and a black overlay background all standard. Users can
set the brightness to 25%, 50%, 75% & 100% as desired.

Manual Override – New!
Each channel has a manual override to allow for quickly turning on/off channels
when working with your tank or if you just need to activate your lights for
an unexpected visitor.
Digital Light Timer
A light timer can programmed with an on and off time in 15 minute increments.
Some or all of the channels can be programmed to be a timer. New! –
Lights can now be programmed to turn off when the temperature exceeds a set
value.
Night Mode - Independently Programmable – New!
Night mode can be configured independent of your light configuration so that
moonlights can be configured to be on at night. You can also disable night
mode altogether if desired.
General Purpose Timers – New!
General purpose timers allow for a single channel to turn on/off multiple
times in a day, or provide an oscillate feature for things like top-off, etc.
that you might want to turn on every so often throughout the day (independent
of wavemaking).
Wavemaker (with softstart)
There are 3 wavemaker cycles in the ReefKeeper, cycles A, B and C. When a
channel is designated as a powerhead a cycle must be chosen for that channel.
Cycles A/B alternate opposite each other, while cycle C alternates on and
off independently. Under the wavemaker setup you choose how long you want
each cycle time to be by dialing an A/B cycle time and a C cycle time. In
normal operation an ‘A’, ‘B’ and/or ‘C’
is displayed on the LCD to indicate which cycle is on. During night mode the
cycle times double creating a calmer environment. You can also program individual
channels to be off during night mode if desired.
Softstart
Softstart is a much debated issue in the aquarium community; many argue about
whether or not it even exists. The reality is that both camps are right in
some way. Softstart does exist, however, it isn’t practical or cost-
effective to implement perfectly. Digital Aquatics does implement “softer-start”
for all channels. This is done to reduce the “clanking” of the
impeller when a powerhead is turned on. Put Digital Aquatics to the test!
The way to judge a product’s softstart capability is to listen to the
pump when it turns on; there is always some clanking, but the goal is to reduce
it as much as possible. Digital Aquatics tested many other products and has
implemented what it feels is the best performing softstart available. Also,
powerhead design is improving over time and pumps like the MaxiJet brand last
much longer than some others.
Standby/Feed mode
Standby mode can be programmed to be from 1 to 99 minutes long. When the “Standby”
(top) button is pressed the ReefKeeper turns off the powerheads and sump pumps
that are programmed to be off during standby mode for the set time or until
“Standby” is pressed again. Standby/Feed mode helps reduce the
bio load on the tank by maximizing the food eaten by fish and corrals and
minimizing waist. 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.
Digital thermometer & dual-stage temp control (temp probe included)
The ReefKeepers digital thermometer is a reliable temperature sensor that
is digitally filtered to provide accurate readings. Using the temperature
measured the ReefKeeper controls one or more heaters and fan/chillers. The
thermometer can be calibrated by the user so that near perfect (0.1 degree
resolution) accuracy can be achieved from year to year.
Fan/Chiller control
The ReefKeeper turns on chillers and/or fans when the temperature in the tank
exceeds a limit. Most aquarists don’t want to listen to their hood fans
when then don’t need to. The ReefKeeper allows the fans to be off unless
they are needed to keep the water temperature down. This way you only have
your fans on when you absolutely need them. A temperature limit can be chosen
for the fan/chiller in 0.1 degree increments.
Metal halide “sure-on”
Metal halides lights are notorious for not turning back on after a power interruption.
This is because they cannot be lit when they are still hot. The ReefKeeper’s
Sure-On feature detects power interruptions and allows a metal halide bulb
to cool before turning back on. Since the ReefKeeper has an internal battery
it will always be able to keep time and settings despite power interruptions
of any length. If a metal halide channel is being held off by Sure-on after
a power interruption, the LED associated to that channel will blink until
the metal halide channel is turned on again.
8 programmable channels (No need for separate X-10 devices)
The 8 controlled outlets are built into the ReefKeeper making it easy to install
and setup. No separate X-10 devices are needed to be purchased and setup,
which saves aquarists time, space and money. The power controller is very
compact for an 8 channel controller and mounting is very easy.

New! - 2 of the 8 channels (Ch 4 & 8) are traditional
relays best used for light ballasts. Some ballasts do not light reliably with
triacs (switches used in most controller products). This provides users with
maximum flexibilty
New! - Channels 1 & 5 are offset to provide space that
supports wall power adapters that sometimes come with fans. This avoids the
need to run extra extension cords around your system which keeps you wiring
clean.
Easier Fuse accessibility
The 15A fuse is now accessible without taking off the cover off the device.
It is also a standard easy to find size ? x 1 ? inch.
Resistive or inductive loads
The ReefKeeper can control resistive (heaters) or inductive (pumps and ballasts)
loads and still supply 6A of power.
Microprocessor design
The ReefKeeper has an embedded microprocessor to enable advanced features
like softstart, night mode, “Sure-On” and temperature functions
on different types of channels, plus much more. It drives the LCD menu system
for easy setup. It also reads water temperature, digitally filtering it to
provide stable and accurate readings.
Display box can mount flush to cabinet for professional look
The display unit has two 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. The outlet
box mounts to a flat surface.
High power design: 15A total power, 6A per channel
A maximum of 15A can be supplied by the ReefKeeper, and each of the 8 channels
can supply 6A (as long as the total current is less than 15A). A heavy duty
power cord and a fused supply provides the safety that is needed for home
use.
User optically isolated from AC power
The power switches use optically isolated controllers to provide the highest
level of safety in a water environment.
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. The battery also allows power interruptions to have little
effect on the system which is especially important when you are gone for days
at a time. A power outage will not require the adjustments that to 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
to meet your specific needs. The 3 buttons to the right of the display are
used to navigate through the menu for setting up which features you want to
link to which outlets and other setup.