APEX Controller vs Reef Keeper
- Thread starter zemuss
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DaveMorris
MACNA2016 Co-Chair
As Shred mentioned, the first thing to do is figure out what you need a controller to do. For the most part, all of the real players in the controller world can do the same or similar things. Yes some have features that others don't and some do things better than others. However, that isn't important yet. Figure out what you need to monitor, what you need to control, and be sure to think about those needs now as well as in the future. Are you running a 50g simple tank right now but plan on upgrading to a 500g tank next year? If so, I would buy the beginning setup of a controller that can expand into that 500g system. Write down your needs as well as wants and then look at each controller and see which one fits your list the best. You can then compare cost as well as reading reviews and make the best choice for your particular situation. Also remember that we all get very passionate about these things and you will find people who absolutely hate one company or the other. Read up on them and make your choice based on what you find. They all have pluses and minuses. I am partial to the Digital Aquatics products, but I have been a beta tester for them since 2008. I have such an in-depth knowledge of their products that I am most comfortable with them. If you really want an online system for programming and run Ecotech MP40's and/or Radion light fixtures that you want to control with it, then an Apex is the better choice today. Or perhaps you really feel that spending a little more for the very well known German engineering is what you want, then your choice would probably be a Profilux from GHL. It really comes down to figuring out what you want and then see who's product line fits your needs and budget the best. And lastly, keep in mind that it is changing every day, just like any electronic device. Improvements in hardware and software are constantly happening, which is a good thing for us.
Engloid
Valuable Member
From my experience, most of these controllers monitor the things I find easiest to keep relatively stable, are controlled elsewhere and/or are least important parameters. For example, temperature is pretty easy to control and least likely to cause a catastrophic disaster. Being able to control lights isn't important to me, since my radions are already controlled on their own. Powerheads also are controlled already (jebao and vortech).
I do see the advantage in being able to have alarms sent to your cell phone if there is a parameter that goes out of whack. What I would really like is something that would monitor things like alkalinity, ph, calcium, phosphate.... the typical stuff you buy test kits for. If it would do all that, it would pay for itself in savings from text kits.
I'm not bashing these products at all. I am really wanting to know more advantages of them. I have read their websites, and just cannot yet justify the need for one. Feel free to post up all the features and advantages you know of. I'd like to know more than what their websites say. I have never had one of these, so you may need to break stuff down in simple form for me.
I do see the advantage in being able to have alarms sent to your cell phone if there is a parameter that goes out of whack. What I would really like is something that would monitor things like alkalinity, ph, calcium, phosphate.... the typical stuff you buy test kits for. If it would do all that, it would pay for itself in savings from text kits.
I'm not bashing these products at all. I am really wanting to know more advantages of them. I have read their websites, and just cannot yet justify the need for one. Feel free to post up all the features and advantages you know of. I'd like to know more than what their websites say. I have never had one of these, so you may need to break stuff down in simple form for me.
Salty1962
Wrasse and SPS Lover
It depends on what/how you want to control. If you need to remotely control and make changes to your tank, APEX. If you just need to have basic control then the RK is good. I had a RKE for basic control but wanted to be able to monitor remotely and went with the APEX. Having used both though I would recommend the APEX. JME
Engloid
Valuable Member
So I could change what things remotely? Im thinking these units control and monitor. They control lights and pumps, and can do so remotely. They monitor parameters, with no ability to control them. Correct?
If thats yrue, all I really would be interested in is the monitoring and notifications on my phone if anything went wrong. What would be the best option?.
Salty1962
Wrasse and SPS Lover
You can control any component of your aquarium that's plugged into the APEX, lights, dosser, etc that you have the modules for. If you want reliable alerts and system monitoring sent to your phone, then the APEX is your best bet IMO.
n2585722
2500 Club Member
The Archon is complely controllable via internet. Once it is setup and you have the router setup. It is completly web base. So all you would need is a web browser on whatever device you want to use. I use the iPad at home. If I am out and about I use my android phone. Yes you can use almost any input to control an output. Example I have alarms setup so if the salinity get out of bounds either way it turn off my auto water change and sends an email alert. Also it will turn off the ATO if it is the low alarm. You can use a pH probe to control CO2 for a calcium reactor. I also use a temp probe to control my heater and fans. I also have the heaters themselves set a couple degrees above the setting on the Archon. That is just a few of the things that are controlled. It controls all the pumps and all the lighting also.
n2585722
2500 Club Member
Does the Apex send an email with the alarm name so you know what it is like this?
From: [email protected]
Date: February 13, 2017 at 2:13:18 PM CST
To: [email protected],[email protected]
Subject: Email Alarm Alert from your Archon Webserver
2017/02/13 14:13:14, id:13 - High Salinity.
Your alarm has triggered!
Custom body entered
d2mini
5000 Club Member
None of the above.
GHL Profilux.
GHL Profilux.
Bradley Crocker
Active Member
This is the text format.
FRM:Apex Fusion
SUBJ:Apex Fusion Alarm: apex
MSG
ate: 2017-02-12 15:40:02 (2017-02-12 22:40:02 UTC)Status: ON
Statement: If Temp < 75.0 Then ON (20.1 )
n2585722
2500 Club Member
You can send a text to your phone you just have to provide the correct address for the phone carrier with you phone number. The only thing I did to the email was blank out the to: email addresses with x's before posting it. I am not sure I understand that alarm message, but I am not familiar with the Apex.
n2585722
2500 Club Member
This is the alarm page. It does give values that triggered the alarm in the alarm log. 0 on the switch inputs are switch closed. 0 on an output is output off. The ones in red are alarms that are still active. Not all of my alarms are set to send emails.
Bradley Crocker
Active Member
It's just a simple one, my temp probe came out of the water when doing a wc, and it sent it to me. "Status" = alarm = on in this case. "Statement" is why it's on, temp fell below 75°.
I'm not promoting or saying apex is better by my post. You shared a sample of your alarm email and asked if the others could do it as well.
I honestly think that any of the "better" controllers (Neptune, DA, GHL) are more than capable of doing what they're intended for.
n2585722
2500 Club Member
So it sends the programming statement that triggers the alarm in the email. In this case it was because the temp went below the 75 set in the statement. Status: ON means the alarm is active. On the Archon All alarms can be named along with timers and standby's. That was a complaint with RKE so on the Archon they let you name almost everything. It displays the name in the email alarm. I guess they figured if you named it you would know what the alarm was when you received it.
Bradley Crocker
Active Member
I'm not sure if you can rename the alarms in the apex, but I think you can. Either way, I know it's not texting me to see how my day's going. I thought it was a pretty straight forward message. The fact that it's texting me tells me something is up, and the word "temp" and "75.0" pretty clearly say there's a temperature issue.
And the web based programming capability has been around for some time now. You can access any device on the same network by knowing its ip address and security credentials (routers, another pc, the original dashboard for apex). I'm sure DA had and has something similar. And fusion lets you do this from any network as well, so it's not really a feature anymore, it is a standard .
And the web based programming capability has been around for some time now. You can access any device on the same network by knowing its ip address and security credentials (routers, another pc, the original dashboard for apex). I'm sure DA had and has something similar. And fusion lets you do this from any network as well, so it's not really a feature anymore, it is a standard .
