Jewel link said:
I downloaded it to my wifes computer, I guess I've gotta decide what i'm hooking up and where before I programme it, and where i'm gonna place everything. Lots of fun,
I've actually found the Reefkeeper pretty easy to use. I don't use the net module or whatever, I just use the interface. The manual it comes with is the best place to start, it is actually pretty well written as far as manuals go.
The main thing is to go into your main menu, and set the time. On a side note, my RK loses time, a few minutes a week anyway (I adjust the time about once a month). Once you have that, the main thing you need to use is the "Outputs" menu. Each output will be assigned to the corresponding outlet on your power bars. So Channel 1 will be the first thing you plug into the bar - they are pretty well labelled and you'll see the lights flashing to indicate what you're working with. Then you can set the output type - e.g. pump, light, skimmer, etc. If you set it to light, you can then adjust the start time and the off time. For skimmer, you can set delay or no delay when the power comes on, and set to standby (i.e. if you hit the standby button, your skimmer turns off for a pre-set amount of time, such as when feeding or dosing SPS foods). You can then set the output to on, off, or auto - for example, you'll want your lights to be on auto so they go on and off at the time you've set them to. For things like MJ pumps to drive reactors, don't assign a type and simply leave them as "on". If you are using the output, it will like be set to auto or on.
For things like dosers, you need to use the "timers" function from the main menu. I think the RK can store 16. I've got the first four set to drive my dosers - Timer 1 and Timer 2 is for Alk, and Timer 3 and Timer 4 is for Ca. Set it for how many minutes you want your device to be on, and then it is set. Then go back into your output menu, and select the timer you want - assign 1 and 2 to that output (i.e. calcium doser) and then on your next output, assign 3 and 4. I have mine set so that I dose calcium and alkalinity twice each during a 24-hour period to try and keep things stable. I think I'm at around 45 minutes for each timer.
In terms of inputs, your temp probe will be the main one. The manual I think is pretty easy to use to set this up (I'm not in front of my reef at the moment).
Once you get it up and running, it is pretty awesome. Definitely one of the best things I got for my tank.
