Controller - do I really need one? Not liking the Apex reviews

[reefndude]

I chose the reef keeper. It has the features that I need and none that I don't. Handles my lights, heaters, fans, dosing pumps, and moniters ph. Good enough for me.

 

[ca1ore]

The other thing that I always keep in mind when buying something substantial like an aquarium controller is future support and innovation. Obviously it is not possible to know the precise future of any company, but I tend to go with those products from companies that have adequate size and market share to persist; both in terms of continuing innovation and technical support. I've got many thousands of dollars of 'orphan' audio equipment at home that when it breaks it becomes expensive paper weights. Trying to avoid that with my reef tank equipment.

 

[Blue Carbon Reefing]

Ok, I think you guys have convinced. I’m keeping apex in the budget although I do anticipate running my mp40’s and radions through reef link. Maybe the return pump too. That way a system failure does shut down the tank until Neptune can send me a new unit.

I am confident you won't regret it. Just keep it simple and Good luck!

 

[nhlives]

I'm a bit curious about that... I've heard several people talk about network problems with Apex. I was expecting that I might have an issue when I installed my Apex last month. Apex Classic, mounted where there are no available network ports. I didn't want to run a cable, so I hooked up a 10 year old Amped wifi extender I had. Used to use it on one of my kids video game systems. So... Incoming internet, through my home router, then to a wifi AP, wifi to the Amped device, and cabled to my Apex. Worked great the minute I hooked it up, and according to Fusion, hasn't lost connection since. TCP/IP routing is transparent to the end device... The Apex 'calls home', so you don't need it to be accessible from outside... I'm curious why people have so many problems with Apex connections?

I use a over-house-wiring bridge. If you have a reasonably new home, the newer versions of these work very well. D-Link Powerline. Works very well.

 

[mdrobc13]

I have an Apex and its great for what you need from monitoring to full control. I have mine hooked up nicely to monitor most of my equipment and its nice to be able to turn off the ATO cause its empty and/or lights to keep a newly acclimated fish from getting stressed from afar especially. Mostly its nice to see that my temp and salinity and ph are within parameters and nothing has swung too far out of wack. Also most importantly to know if something has failed...at least it lets me know whether I am in front of the tank or not!

Took each his own though.

 

[c2l2parker]

As many have said, I love my Apex. I travel so I would lose my sanity without a controller. It does seem that the unhappy customers get the most airtime, so thus the reason you see bad reviews. As for customer support, I had one issue about 4 years ago, and they sent me a whole new “brain”. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

 

[2CC's]

Don't have any input on other brands but love my Apex. Had the Jr, now the classic. Once in 7 years I went online for help troubleshooting a blank display and it was back and forth over the course of a couple of hours and issue was resolved (Firmware upgrade). I appreciate the backwards compatibility (mostly). Being a DIY I find the Apex community fantastic. Made my own breakout boxes, dimming LED's, now runs my Kessil. Mine is hard wired for network connectivity through a switch.
There are enough things that can go south quick - a lot of them can be intercepted with an early alarm.
I even run some home monitoring through the apex (basement sump high water level), temp probe in my wine cellar .
I would not do without a controller

 

[gcrawford]

What an excellent idea! Now I want to make a wine cellar...... I’ve always wondered what things could be automated with these other than just reef tanks....

 

[HawaiianReef]

Just wanted to add my opinion on the op's title of if you need a controller or not. I would say absolutely not. So many people have had successful tanks running decades without the help of a controller, but.....
I read a while back that seasoned aquarist control their water, not the aqurium. So we do our testing for salinity, and ph, and nitrates and so on. But after 2,3, 5 or 10 years later, how often do we test these? If the tank "looks" fine, usually not that often. Having the controller monitor some parameters helps us "look" at the tank better. So if something like the ph changes, we can start checking for reasons why early on. For me, just being able to monitor temp and automate accordingly if a heater fails is worth the time and investment of any controller.
So a controller isn't a necessity to be successful, but since they give you the ability to look how your water is prefoming every minute in real-time, it's the biggest advantage there is to help you be successful.

 

[BigGuyLeo]

For those that like automation, is the energy bar 832 worth it? Now that the head unit can be brought separately, I am thinking about buying that and use the widely available Apple homekit or Alexa enabled power plug instead of the energy bar. Any specific integration the energy bar provides that you found wanting?

 

[TinyChocobo]

I wasn’t aware that HomeKit or Alexa power plugs worked with the apex ... is that new?

 

[BigGuyLeo]

I wasn’t aware that HomeKit or Alexa power plugs worked with the apex ... is that new?

It does not. Just wonder if there are specific integration of the energy bar that I can get with apex besides controlling on/off.

 

[nhlives]

I have alerts set for power and current for the skimmer and main pump. If they stop I get an alert

 

[marcus aurelius]

One thing to keep in mind (and this goes for a lot of products/reviews) is that you get a lot higher percentage of people posting bad reviews than good. People happy with the product may or may not go post a review saying so. People mad at a product get mad and want to tell the world how terrible the product is. So reviews generally skew towards the bad (same for movies, and amazon, etc).

FWIW, I've had Apex for about a year now, and love it. Very few issues (most user error or wifi issues, not Apex issues). The stability and awareness it has is worth every penny for me. I love knowing that my temp is correct, or that the water is flowing through the returns, or that no water is in the emergency drain, etc at any given time.

Yes I completely agree with saf1 about how people write reviews on a product.
With that said I’ve had my apex for almost a year. Yes I have had some trouble with it. But I do love it. My WiFi has worked fine. About 5 months ago the whole main apex stopped working. Yes customer service was a pain. But they did make it right and sent me a new one. But I still think it’s a good product. “ it just makes it easier especially when on vacation”

 

[Servillius]

I’ve been a long time proponent of Reefkeeper. I had terrible experiences with Apex. At one point I had three full systems running, they sent through an update that blew up my control and it took two weeks to get someone on the phone. I’m just not putting all my eggs in one basket like that again.

Sadly Reefkeeper is out of business, so I decided to try another option. I’m going to run my tank using my HomeKit.

First thing I discovered is that I was actually doing way less with the controller than I thought I was. They sort of advertise their doing all these tasks that it turns out they’re just telling you about. Combine that with the fact most of the equipment I want to run has a built in controller (for instance my GHL doser, ATI lights and most power heads) and I started thinking the controller was a bit of anachronism.

I went with Elgato Eve switches because they come with WiFi and Bluetooth and track power consumption which allows me to track usage and make sure my programming is working correctly. They also come with the benefit of having a really big support system since you’ll use HomeKit or Alexa or whatever to manage them rather than a niche developer.

I haven’t finished wiring and it’s only been two weeks, so ask me if I made the right choice in six months, but so far, love it!

Getting rid of the controller feels like freedom!

 

[mdc860]

Any updates on your decision to go with the Eve switches? I am gradually working my system onto Homekit- I see the Inkbird temp control- Any other monitoring devices?

 

[Servillius]

Hey, thanks for asking! Its actually going great. The only problem I've run into is that occasionally an Apple update requires going back and resetting some stuff. If I had to do it all over again, I'd consider stupider timers but I'm not really sure which way I'd go. It hasn't been a problem and I'm happy with what I have.

It's just been a revelation to me how little I actually needed an aquarium controller. As for other controllers, I use the Inkbird which works great. I have a salinity monitor in the tank, and I run a pH controller to control my calcium reactor.

 

[Greybeard]

Coralview Hydros seems to be taking up the Reefkeeper spot. Haven't tried one, but it'd be worth a shot.

I'm expecting EcoTech to come out with a controller soon. Their dosing pumps make it practically a sure thing.

Hopefully, we'll have some choice in controllers before long. Me? I'm pretty heavily invested in Apex, but even there, competition is a good thing. In a competitive environment, Apex will have to get better.

 

[HawaiianReef]

I’ve been a long time proponent of Reefkeeper. I had terrible experiences with Apex. At one point I had three full systems running, they sent through an update that blew up my control and it took two weeks to get someone on the phone. I’m just not putting all my eggs in one basket like that again.

Sadly Reefkeeper is out of business, so I decided to try another option. I’m going to run my tank using my HomeKit.

First thing I discovered is that I was actually doing way less with the controller than I thought I was. They sort of advertise their doing all these tasks that it turns out they’re just telling you about. Combine that with the fact most of the equipment I want to run has a built in controller (for instance my GHL doser, ATI lights and most power heads) and I started thinking the controller was a bit of anachronism.

I went with Elgato Eve switches because they come with WiFi and Bluetooth and track power consumption which allows me to track usage and make sure my programming is working correctly. They also come with the benefit of having a really big support system since you’ll use HomeKit or Alexa or whatever to manage them rather than a niche developer.

I haven’t finished wiring and it’s only been two weeks, so ask me if I made the right choice in six months, but so far, love it!

Getting rid of the controller feels like freedom!

I agree. I'm weighing more towards stand alone units for the very reason you had with being completely shut down with a failure of a complete controller.
I'm really excited about the mindstream monitor. I think that would be the way to go once they have proven themselves. A full monitoring system and independent controllers With, as you've experienced the contrary, a satisfactory customer support/service department.