Are Neptune Apex systems helpful?

[Ken Williams]

Im considering getting an Neptune Apex system? Who advises for it and who is against it.....Please explain your answer!.....Enquiring mind wants to know!!!!!!

 

[rock_lobster]

haha yes they are pretty much essential part of a reef tank. At least some form of controller.

 

[Ken Williams]

Please tell me why?

 

[alyee5]

Here are some benefits
>Monitoring of some critical tank parameters like pH, temperature and salinity (conductivity) = less (tedious) testing
>Monitoring of some not so critical parameters like amps and ORP = good to know type things
>Monitoring/Alerting/Auto-response of potential issues with above parameters - in addition you can get leak detectors and float switches monitoring. For example, if your temperature gets to high you can have your lights shut off and a fan turn on automatically and have an email/text alert
>Remote control of individual equipment through mobile device or computer = easier than turning things off manually
>Remote control of Feed and Maintenance...so you can shut down and restart various pieces of equipment sequentially or in parallel to perform feeding or maintenance = easier than turning things off manually (and potentially forgetting to turn it back on)
>If you don't have a stand alone doser, you can control dosing pumps thru APEX and have the pH feedback to alert of a potential dosing issue
There plenty more probably, but I'm still new to the game!

 

[ReefRocker]

Controllers in general are super helpful in maintaining and monitoring the condition of your tank. Once you have one, it becomes a question of why you didn't get one sooner. Their are several options out there, get one that has the best record of reliability and least issues with product failiures.

Take a look at the GHL Profilux controller. The setup process uses drop down boxes instead of coding and is a very well built piece of hardware that performs a huge list of functions including the above mentioned features.

 

[pugcrush]

What does it not do? The possibilities are endless - you monitor plenty as mentioned above. That allows you to go on vacation with a peace of mind. Automation, get rid of timers, etc. Also, this time of year, I'm sure folks hook up their Christmas tree & lights to it!

 

[filbie70]

Not a good night to be asking me. They are helpful when they work. But, I would describe them as finicky. I've mine keeps losing communication and crashes or needs to be reset.
This has been 4-5 times in the last month. I'm being told I have to remove it from Reeftronics now to keep that from happening. My Radions won't reconnect after a calibrated them and I've been exchanging emails with Neptune for the past month and it still isn't fixed.

 

[Elementalj]

I've been using a reefkeeper elite for several months and I couldn't be happier with what it's able to do. The interface on the laptop leaves a little to be desired, but it's been pretty reliable. I like the ability to get urgent info from the net module (PITA!!!), and for it to control temperature and alkalinity with the probes. I spent the better part of a month trying to decide either DA or Apex, and chose DA because it was priced right. They both have issues with support, but things have improved for both companies as of late.

I'd say, if you've got the money for an Apex, go for it. It'll be frustrating at first, but there are discussion boards just like this one with tons of information and support. With them acquiring the rights to the alkalinity monitor we just saw at MACNA, I could kick myself for getting the reefkeeper. That is until I have a heater act stupid, and the reefkeeper keeps my critters from turning into soup.

Best of luck with your choice! Keep us posted!

 

[saltyhog]

I wouldn't operate a reef tank without one (or it's equivalent). All the above reasons. The alerts and monitoring have saved my bacon several times.

It can save money in some other ways. No need for expensive dosers.....simple BRS dosers controlled by Apex. No need for heater controller IMO. Set a max temp and if your heater sticks in the on position the controller will turn it off. I also have one of my heaters in the overflow. If something happens to empty the over flow the Apex will turn the heater off if the temp probe is exposed to room air (temp drops below 72).

You can set alarms for anything that might go wrong. Apex will text or email you and let you know.

 

[Salty1962]

It depends on what you want to do and how you want to do it For basic controllers, heaters, ATO and lights(on/off), DA is had to beat pretty bullet proof. APEX will give you a whole new level of control. I've been amazed at all of the things I can do with an APEX, formally 10+ yrs. DA, with the remote access anywhere I go. I never thought about the control until I stated working with it over my laptop, tablet and Android phone. I would greatly miss it if I were to lose it.

 

[bevo5]

When I bought my first biocube a couple years ago I couldn't believe spending that kind of money on a glorified timer. BUT - uh - it's the best purchase I've made for the tank....hands down. I've still got a jr unit on my biocube and then a full (classic) version on my 200g.

I'm a basic, basic APEX user but it's great having all the monitors and controls and alarms etc. Plus, I've got a bunch of various float valves that let me know when I need to refill ATO etc. It's super handy.

 

[pelphrey]

I'll start off by saying for me it was the tech part that got me. Like it was mentioned above I didn't know what I was missing and now that I have one it would be hard to have a tank without a controller. I am running the Apex classic and I love it!

Here are my main points -

• No longer need a controller for my Kessil lights - Using Apex VDM (Saves me $100 on the Kessil Controller)
• No need for a heater controller or two (Again cost savings)
• The ability to program my skimmer to delay startup when I start up my return pump. This one was huge, it allows me sump to level out and no overflow my skimmer. (No need to buy a $50 dollar delay timer for the skimmer).
• Virtual Outlets (I can setup as many as I want/need). Setting a Maintenance VO allows me to swipe the outlet off and it shuts down any equipment I need off for water change/maintenance.
• Float switches - Adding High & Low sump level floats with the Break Out Box. If the high float is triggered my skimmer shuts off. If the low float is triggered my skimmer/return pumps and heaters shut off. Also wiring a safety switch hidden behind the cabinet. This is crucial since my wife doesn't know anything about the tank. If for whatever reason there is a failure and she notices something she can shut the entire system down.
• Alerts - Now this can go either way. This can ruin your day or vacation but at the same time notify you when things go bad. On the other hand my ATO container was shipped yesterday and I had a float switch holder installed in it. IF I get lazy and don't look in the stand at my ATO top off water the Apex will notify me when there are 2 gallons left and that I need to refill.
• Alerts - Being notified when your tank reaches a high/low temp, your return pump is off, your skimmer is off or any other notification you want to create.
• Real-time graphs - The graphs will allow you to track temps and make adjustments as needed. In Kentucky the summers are hot and humid and the winters are cold. I know exactly when my heaters kick on and off by looking at the graph and can adjust the heaters accordingly.
• Real-time graphs - I always thought that testing or keeping track of PH was a waste of time. If you decide to dose these graphs can assist you in making sure there are no large PH swings.
• Updated Fusion - I walked into the Apex with the new version of Fusion. It is amazing. From what I understand simple tasks like setting up alerts with older versions of fusion was a pain in the rear. With the new version you add remove email and phone number from the dashboard settings. If ever there was a time to jump on board it is now, Neptune has done a fantastic job with the fusion interface and I believe it is more user friendly.
• Redundancy - I have the ability to "grant" others access to my Apex. I can give them Read only rights which means they can only view my configurations and not make any changes. On the flip side I can also grant users admin access, this gives them the access needed to modify my system.

I'll ramble on about my Redundancy bullet point for a minute. The majority of us never think about how life can switch gears, if/when something ever happens to me I know I have a local buddy who has a reef tank that can take the burden off of my wife. As stated her knowledge on this system is at zero! If I get into a car crash this afternoon and my system fails tomorrow my buddy will get spammed with alerts from my system. If I don't respond he knows to text my wife to find out what is going on. Of course the tank is the least of anyone's concerns at this point, but a failed system can cause a lot of problems for our significant others. He would now know that I can't take care of the system and he'll get my livestock, drain my system and shut everything off.

I could estimate that I saved roughly $200 alone by not needing a light controller, heater controller and skimmer delay timer. With that $200 that nearly paid for my Apex, I bought mine used. The real only downside that I have input on is the version of the Apex that I have. If I had $700 I would have jumped on the new Apex version simply because it has a ton of more built in features (Probes, 1 Link). But mainly because you can update the firmware with the new version over WIFI. With the classic I have to drag a 75 foot network cable out and run it from my switch to the Apex.

 

[reefwiser]

As someone who does PLC programming for industrial equipment. When I look at all the things I want to do to make my life easier a controller is needed.
I have used both Apex and GHL. AN GHL is more to what I am use to using in my field of work with PLC computers. I like that the are all in one box without boxes and wires hanging everywhere. Having meet the owner at MACNA's over the years I know how serious he is about quality of the equipment he makes and it is on another level in quality of construction. We are coming to a point in the next year where we will be able to monitor alk and adjust to maintain a level. So monitoring will become really important in the future.

 

[alyee5]

Not a good night to be asking me. They are helpful when they work. But, I would describe them as finicky. I've mine keeps losing communication and crashes or needs to be reset.
This has been 4-5 times in the last month. I'm being told I have to remove it from Reeftronics now to keep that from happening. My Radions won't reconnect after a calibrated them and I've been exchanging emails with Neptune for the past month and it still isn't fixed.

Well it's good to share the CON side of controllers too. Hope you can work it out with Neptune.

One other resource to hear is Mr Saltwater Tank's 2016 MACNA talk on automation.

 

[Elementalj]

Well it's good to share the CON side of controllers too. Hope you can work it out with Neptune.

One other resource to hear is Mr Saltwater Tank's 2016 MACNA talk on automation.

He's a pretty smart guy in general. Could've been a great teacher.

 

[saltyhog]

I forgot to add that Fusion has a great log for you parameter testing results. You can look at it in graph or table form.

 

[SoCoFlyFisher]

I have been using my Apex for the last month and it definitely makes monitoring the tank while traveling great. With Apex Fusion I am able to check the key tank parameters (pH, salinity, temperature) while away from home and notify someone if something is not right. I was in Dubai in November for a week and was able to monitor the tank; I noticed the salinity was a little high and my wife confirmed the ATO needed more water.

Please note I still check pH and salinity using test kits and a refractometer, but very infrequently and as a way to confirm what the APEX probes are reporting.

 

[bif24701]

Helpful!? I wouldn't have a coral tank with out one!

For me they are critical to the stability of a system for long term success with keeping corals.

Take the leap and you will never look back.

 

[bif24701]

Not a good night to be asking me. They are helpful when they work. But, I would describe them as finicky. I've mine keeps losing communication and crashes or needs to be reset.
This has been 4-5 times in the last month. I'm being told I have to remove it from Reeftronics now to keep that from happening. My Radions won't reconnect after a calibrated them and I've been exchanging emails with Neptune for the past month and it still isn't fixed.

Reeftronics is a third party service not directly supported with Neptune.

As with any technology that has to function with third party hardware/software (Reeftronics/Ecotech) there can and will be some issues.
I'm sure the core systems function correctly and reliably.

 

[filbie70]

Reeftronics is a third party service not directly supported with Neptune.

As with any technology that has to function with third party hardware/software (Reeftronics/Ecotech) there can and will be some issues.
I'm sure the core systems function correctly and reliably.

I agree. I'm being told that my Apex is crashing because of the connection to Reeflink.