Reef Tank Update - Sand & Live Rock Coming In

Posted on June 12th, 2008 by Itay

OK- Progress at last. There was a slight delay in the delivery of the live rock, but it appears that I now have a guaranteed delivery of 350. lbs of Bali Alor live rock coming in around noon on Monday - YAY!

I already have eight 40 lbs. bags of crushed coral sand waiting to go into the tank and make up the deep sand bed. It’s almost time and the excitement level is definitely going up…

Of the 350 lbs. I will most likely select around 150 lbs. of the better looking pieces, and add a slab for a shelf and begin aquascaping. My goal is to have the aquarium filled by Monday night (June 16th, 2008). I hope to keep to schedule. Should have it filled with about 50 gallons of saltwater from Sean’s tank (already with the bacteria and micro organisms in there) and about 130 gallons of freshly mixed water.

Oh - I’m also excited about the Reef Keeper Elite, computerized aquarium controller I purchased.

I usually don’t buy into the ‘pre-release hype’ of a product, but this successor to the Reek Keeper 2 promises to be a truly innovative and flexible system. I placed my order about 2 weeks ago in a ‘pre-order period’, where Digital Aquatics was filling 200 orders before releasing the controller to the market. Today I checked and the status had changed to ‘back ordered’ so I’m assuming the unit and kit will be on their way shortly.

Not much has been revealed as far as pictures of the system, but here is the unit and the specifications. Though the main purpose for this system is to monitor and log temperature and pH as well as monitor power supply and notify me of any failures, its built to manage and control the majority of the devices and apparatus that operate in the aquarium. Should be great!

Ethernet Capable
Wireless Communication
Upgradeability
Advanced 11 button CapSense interface
128 x 64 Graphical display (w/RGB backlight and 30 background colors)
More than 250 Programmable Channels
Multiple Mounting Options
Home Screen (w/easy to read icons and data)
Simple menu system for easy configuration
Night Mode - Independently Programmable
63 Alarms
Data Logging
Data Graphing
Metal Halide control with “Sure-On”
Light Timer with Weekday/Weekend schedules and safety temp cut off
Moon Light Controller
Multi-timer function
63 Dedicated Timers
2 Standby/Feed/Service modes
Control Functions
Sumps/Skimmers pump control
Wavemaker A/B and C/D pump control
Top-off pump control
Key Lock
Battery Backup
Audible Feedback
Splash-proof Faceplate
Upgradeable Firmware