I have a question I have the WiFi apex the $799 kit I got last year I honestly only use it to look at parameters here and there and temp yes I do I like the app deal but do I really need such a setup ? I’m seriously thinking on a reefkeeper can’t you use a app for that ? Idk if I should sell it or what to do ? I have the display for the cabinet the $99 add on
Apex do I really need ?
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I love the ability to be able to turn stuff on and off from my phone and do like being able to see PH ect as wel so I need to re ask the question,,
I understand we don’t need controllers the apex was a ton of cash for what I use it for so if y’all were in this situation would you just go with a cheaper option ? I’d prefer to put more funds into say gyres or better lights I’m just brain locked lol
I understand we don’t need controllers the apex was a ton of cash for what I use it for so if y’all were in this situation would you just go with a cheaper option ? I’d prefer to put more funds into say gyres or better lights I’m just brain locked lol
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RMS18
I keep water chemistry as my hobby
Agree with above you do not need it. My first 2 tanks did not have one. My current one does and i will never give up my apex now.... unless something better is introduced. ;Happy
You do not need it at all. If you want it, that is different - have fun.
I had a product better than the Apex and gave up on it. When used correctly, it is a monitor, which can be useful to some. The unit nor it's probes are reliable enough, IMO, to control anything.
I had a product better than the Apex and gave up on it. When used correctly, it is a monitor, which can be useful to some. The unit nor it's probes are reliable enough, IMO, to control anything.
Brad Miller
Valuable Member
Did that honey dipper at the top of the pic come with the Apex ?
I dint get one with mine...I feel so cheated
I dint get one with mine...I feel so cheated
ca1ore
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Certainly not necessary but perhaps helpful. I have a more complex set of modules than most but I use it mostly for monitoring and alerting. It partially controls my heating and ATO, but that’s it. Since I travel a lot, it is useful for me to be able to monitor things and direct my sons to take action if necessary. I think it most unwise to rely on hobby grade switches and probes to trigger actions unless you have at least double redundancy.
ca1ore
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Just as an addition .....
I keep track of alarms and warnings. Most of them are just warning for things like ‘doser is low’, ‘ATO container is low’, ‘skimmate container is full’. That is quite useful to me. Occasionally I get alarms for more serious things, the VAST MAJORITY of which are sensor/probe errors. Recently had an optical sensor go bad so the apex was telling me that the oveflow box was about to overflow .... in a bad way. But it wasn’t, it was a bad sensor. Or the salinity probe captures a few bubbles and suddenly triggers an alarm that the salinity is way low. In these cases, triggering an action would have turned a simple sensor failure into a major tank problem.
Key is to understand the limitations of the technology and use it within those limitations. If you ask apex to do too much, and the brain fries - your tank is borked. If my apex brain fried, it’d be irritating and mildly inconvenient, but it wouldn’t be tank termainal.
I keep track of alarms and warnings. Most of them are just warning for things like ‘doser is low’, ‘ATO container is low’, ‘skimmate container is full’. That is quite useful to me. Occasionally I get alarms for more serious things, the VAST MAJORITY of which are sensor/probe errors. Recently had an optical sensor go bad so the apex was telling me that the oveflow box was about to overflow .... in a bad way. But it wasn’t, it was a bad sensor. Or the salinity probe captures a few bubbles and suddenly triggers an alarm that the salinity is way low. In these cases, triggering an action would have turned a simple sensor failure into a major tank problem.
Key is to understand the limitations of the technology and use it within those limitations. If you ask apex to do too much, and the brain fries - your tank is borked. If my apex brain fried, it’d be irritating and mildly inconvenient, but it wouldn’t be tank termainal.
^ this is why I quit using mine. Even the stuff that i got alerted about was stuff that did not matter, or I would have seen anyways. I do like to have my eyes on the tank and the 15 second once-over every day is helpful to me.
I might reconsider if I was away for long lengths of time, but even being gone for two different one-month trips to Europe in 2017, nothing actually failed. I also might be more inclined if I used less reliable equipment.
I might reconsider if I was away for long lengths of time, but even being gone for two different one-month trips to Europe in 2017, nothing actually failed. I also might be more inclined if I used less reliable equipment.
Tastee
Valuable Member
Do you need it to run a successful tank? No.
Will it make your tank successful? No. It may help a bit but you are 100x more important to success than an Apex.
Do I have one? Yes.
Would I consider another tank without one? No.
Apex is great for automation to reduce manual effort to maintain your tank. They are also great for peace of mind and allow you to configure lots and lots of redundancy, checks and intervening actions. Most of which costs more money however.
I can afford it so would not consider running a tank without it. If you can’t afford it, or if you prefer to spend your coin on other items, then that’s also fine, and you can have a very successful tank. Almost certainly more successful than mine I am sure, since I am only 18 months into my own reefing journey!
Will it make your tank successful? No. It may help a bit but you are 100x more important to success than an Apex.
Do I have one? Yes.
Would I consider another tank without one? No.
Apex is great for automation to reduce manual effort to maintain your tank. They are also great for peace of mind and allow you to configure lots and lots of redundancy, checks and intervening actions. Most of which costs more money however.
I can afford it so would not consider running a tank without it. If you can’t afford it, or if you prefer to spend your coin on other items, then that’s also fine, and you can have a very successful tank. Almost certainly more successful than mine I am sure, since I am only 18 months into my own reefing journey!
hockeyhead019
Well-Known Member
I think the answer is really up to you. It's a hot discussion in the community whether they make things that much better/easier.
Personally the engineer in me loves them because data is fun to me. Need it? Nah. If you're looking to redirect some of that funding in livestock or something else you're looking to grab then you just have to weigh your options.
jtl
Well-Known Member
I am old school and prefer to do everything manually, however I do have an ato and timer on my lights but that is it. So far I have not had to dose supplements if and when I do maybe I will need to get a doser. Maybe not.
I am in the planning stages for my 120G, and will not use Apex. I just dont see the use for me personally, and can use that money on some more important things. With that said, i am most likely going to give reef-pi a go. It looks like a good project, and I can choose what features i would like to implement and control costs. Best of both worlds for me at least.
I agree with others that you don't need one but it is nice to have some control over certain things and being able to monitor things that are important to you.
The only issue I've had so far was last summer we had a really bad thunderstorm roll through and caused a lot of power browning and on-off-on instances. The power going from on to off back to on caused the LinkA to go crazy. It was telling me my sump was overfull and my PMUP was in a "stay on" mode. Luckily I was home and I just unplugged the PMUP and the LinkA for a reset. If I had been gone on vacation or the like, I would have been able to do this via the Apex app.
The only issue I've had so far was last summer we had a really bad thunderstorm roll through and caused a lot of power browning and on-off-on instances. The power going from on to off back to on caused the LinkA to go crazy. It was telling me my sump was overfull and my PMUP was in a "stay on" mode. Luckily I was home and I just unplugged the PMUP and the LinkA for a reset. If I had been gone on vacation or the like, I would have been able to do this via the Apex app.
doughboy
Well-Known Member
since you already have it, might as well keep it. I highly doubt you can get anywhere close to what you paid for it if you sell it.
say if you were deciding if you should get one, if you have to choose between paying bills or buying apex, then pay the bills.
say if you were deciding if you should get one, if you have to choose between paying bills or buying apex, then pay the bills.
saintsreturn
Well-Known Member
So much information has been shared and i agree with the others. Adding in on your other comments:
Digital Aquatics went out of business and their products are no longer supported. That is why i sold mine and only have the heart left for temp and heater control. I am currently building a reefpi for the same reason and then will sell the last of it off. I am also adding top off, which is something i think is critical and love, but upgraded to an unreliable unit that i then sold back off, hence reefpi exploration.
Using the Apex outside of that is personal preference. I personally will most likely never own one. I will also never talk someone out of it. To me its like arguing about the skimmate shut off switch. Sure you dont need it, but i like it shutting off without spilling back in my tank when i get a surge for some reason, or am just to lazy to check it in time.
I personally want an Apex or GHL for automatic water changes, but for the cost, its not worth it to me. I spend a lot more money in corals and building my new business. If i had the justification to spend the money, i would have already because they add so much opportunity for fun or control.
You already spent the coin, so its a sunk cost. Dont spend more to replace and do what it can do (DA RKL) because if you ever want to expand you will just spend more money. I would personally keep it, use it as desired and maybe learn a lesson about jumping into tech to early in your adventure. If you sell it and buy something else, you will most likely regret it as the new option will be far more limited and you will come far from breaking even on the money. Spend 800, sell for 600, spend 100 net gain $500 (maybe). Regret that you now have to buy another brand for ATO ($130) and Heater safety ($100) and you are down to netting $270 and you have multiple apps or buttons. Plus a good power switch... see where i am going?
Good luck bud!
Digital Aquatics went out of business and their products are no longer supported. That is why i sold mine and only have the heart left for temp and heater control. I am currently building a reefpi for the same reason and then will sell the last of it off. I am also adding top off, which is something i think is critical and love, but upgraded to an unreliable unit that i then sold back off, hence reefpi exploration.
Using the Apex outside of that is personal preference. I personally will most likely never own one. I will also never talk someone out of it. To me its like arguing about the skimmate shut off switch. Sure you dont need it, but i like it shutting off without spilling back in my tank when i get a surge for some reason, or am just to lazy to check it in time.
I personally want an Apex or GHL for automatic water changes, but for the cost, its not worth it to me. I spend a lot more money in corals and building my new business. If i had the justification to spend the money, i would have already because they add so much opportunity for fun or control.
You already spent the coin, so its a sunk cost. Dont spend more to replace and do what it can do (DA RKL) because if you ever want to expand you will just spend more money. I would personally keep it, use it as desired and maybe learn a lesson about jumping into tech to early in your adventure. If you sell it and buy something else, you will most likely regret it as the new option will be far more limited and you will come far from breaking even on the money. Spend 800, sell for 600, spend 100 net gain $500 (maybe). Regret that you now have to buy another brand for ATO ($130) and Heater safety ($100) and you are down to netting $270 and you have multiple apps or buttons. Plus a good power switch... see where i am going?
Good luck bud!
Dkeller_nc
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I'm in the "Is it absolutely necessary? No. Would I run a tank without it? No." camp. The Apex has saved my bacon on more than one occasion, so it's very much worth it to me for peace of mind. If you choose to go without, though, I'd strongly recommend getting a separate Ranco heater controller. Even extremely reliable tank heater brands occasionally fail in the "on" position, and that will kill everything in your tank in fairly short order if you don't correct the problem or aren't there to correct it.
