reef keeper 2

saltynuts · #1 03-25-2009, 04:09 PM

ed looking to go high tek.
reef keeper 2 info can anyone help me find the link.
i want to read up on them and get input from fellow canreefers.
and if you have one for sale pm me! lol
thanks for the time!

digital-audiophile · #2 03-25-2009, 04:12 PM

I have a reefkeeper 2 and it is a great little unit. I use it to monitor PH/temp and for simple control. Timer for my lights make it very accurate and I love the temp control.

Everything else, skimmer return pump are on always on but it is easy to turn them off for water changes and maintenance. (much better than unplugging every time.

The only thing now is that the RK2 has been discontinued becuase of the release of the reef keeper lite.

If you can find one used or in stock somewhere you should be able to get a decent price, if not take a peek at the RKL

Pescador · #3 03-25-2009, 04:48 PM

+1 for the RK2 I just got mine running the webserver with a serial to Bluetooth adapter.
Now I need a wireless webcam to keep an eye on things when we're away.
You can see it here
http://macreef.dyndns.org/index.html

saltynuts · #4 03-25-2009, 04:52 PM

that is very cool.

digital-audiophile · #5 03-25-2009, 04:58 PM

Can you give me more detail on how you ran that? You have the serial in the RK2 and then into a wireless unit to your PC?

I would love to do the same.. but not being the sharpest guy I have no idea how to do it

Pescador · #6 03-25-2009, 07:41 PM

Sure I'll try to give it a shot.
First I guess you have to update your firmware to 2.5 if you haven't already and run the driver file.
http://www.forum.digitalaquatics.com....php?f=37&t=33
You have to use the serial adapter and the 3' cord that was included with your RK2.

Then I used the splitter from DA so you can use the serial connection and the temp probe at the same time.
It looks the same as a regular RJ12 splitter buts it's wired differently.
If by chance your computer is within 50 feet of your RK2 you can hardwire it with a data cord.

Mine was too far so I used the IOGear serial to Bluetooth adapter from Dell.

There are a few threads on RC using the same one so that's the one I used.
My computer already had a Logitech mouse and keyboard and it worked fine with the adapter.

If your still game at this point, I have to know if you have a router what kind it is and who your ISP is. I'm on Shaw and they use a Dynamic IP which changes occasionally so you would lose your connection. To get around that there is a free service that lets you create a domain name so you can run the server without having a static IP.
This page explains some of the setup.(It looks more complicated than it is)

After that it's just setting up your router and software. If I haven't scared you off yet.
End of part 1

Note: Make sure the myreef software runs ok on your PC. Check that you can enter info into the file and email fields on the setup page. The PC I was originally going to use would not work properly.