How important is an Apex? And what do you really need?

[Nano101]

Within the next six months, I want a new Red Sea tank. Still debating between a reefer delux and an emax. Anyhow, I’m not sure what to do with an Apex. I understand what they can do, but the cost is more than the tank. I was looking at the full blown Neptune setup with dosing and wavemakers includes. $3k. Is it worth it? Or just get the monitoring side of the system and do 3rd party dosing and wavemakers. I really like jeboa products, and have their wavemakers presently and am quite happy. I would by again, not just because of price, but because of features. Was also thinking a jeboa doser. Return pump (if went with reefer) is still in research mode. I like the idea of a submersible dc controllable pump. No idea what I’d do for a skimmer if I went with the reefer. Anyone think the skimmer on the E series is any good? I’m a big fan of the hydra 26hd Lights, so that part has me sold. Feel free to ring in. I’m
Mostly interested in the Apex feedback. It’s a lot of money. This will be my last and primary tank in this house (45-70g considering)

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

It can take a lot of work out of maintaining and monitoring a tank, but there are a ton of successful reefs out there that don't run with them. I personally think that while they can provide peace of mind, they add several points of failure to an already complicated system.

I live by the KISS (Keep It Simple Sir) principle in most aspects of my life and I like a simple aquarium and simple tools that don't cost an arm and a leg, so I may be a bit biased in saying all of this

 

[blkhwkz]

I got my first Apex when I got my Red Sea Reefer XL425. Got the new Apex and the WAV pumps. I have since added on a DOS and DDR, though the DDR is really not necessary, an ATK and a COR-20 return pump and still it has not cost me anywhere near $3k. I liked it so much I have added Apex (classics though) onto 2 of my 3 other tanks. Really depends on your needs. I used to travel a lot more for work than I do now, but I like being able to monitor things from wherever I am. When I am out of town I can check on things and make sure things are normal. My kid likes it since she only has to hit one button to feed when I am gone instead of flipping switches. I don't do a ton of the super fancy things some people do with the Apex, but for what I use it for, it has been worth it for me.

 

[penguin_free]

I recently picked up a neptune apex, but I do my dosing manually. I like the continuous monitoring of temp and ph, and the programmable outlets to make my CO2 scrubber ph controlled via 2 solenoids. It's also nice to use as a light controller; easier to manage light cycle times than my old timer setup.

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

I got my first Apex when I got my Red Sea Reefer XL425. Got the new Apex and the WAV pumps. I have since added on a DOS and DDR, though the DDR is really not necessary, an ATK and a COR-20 return pump and still it has not cost me anywhere near $3k. I liked it so much I have added Apex (classics though) onto 2 of my 3 other tanks. Really depends on your needs. I used to travel a lot more for work than I do now, but I like being able to monitor things from wherever I am. When I am out of town I can check on things and make sure things are normal. My kid likes it since she only has to hit one button to feed when I am gone instead of flipping switches. I don't do a ton of the super fancy things some people do with the Apex, but for what I use it for, it has been worth it for me.

Sorry to threadjack, but how are you liking the WAV pumps?

 

[MaddyP]

It can take a lot of work out of maintaining and monitoring a tank, but there are a ton of successful reefs out there that don't run with them.

Completely agree. However, I fall into the pro-Apex category. I ran reefs for several years without any fancy tech and had success, but the automation and knowledge that comes with using a system like the Apex is invaluable to me. My Apex does everything from monitoring chemical values to controlling nearly everything electrical on my tank (and mixing station). I would be a less efficient, more frustrated and worried reefer without it.

 

[blkhwkz]

Sorry to threadjack, but how are you liking the WAV pumps?

I like them a lot, they are very strong and can provide a lot of flow. I have Jebao on one tank and Ecotech on 2 others and these are probably my favorite.

 

[XNavyDiver]

Do ya need one? Nope. But I have to admit I love mine. The amount of control of the lights, the DOS and the WAV's is just really, cool. And when they release the Trident... oh my.

 

[atoll]

There are 2 things in this hobby needs and wants. Guess which category this falls into

 

[Bj’s Reef]

If you get one, you will always want one on your tank.

 

[XNavyDiver]

Just to add on, the part of the apex system I use the most, every day really, is the Fusion website. The amount of progression notes I've written and all the water testing that's instantly put into charts, is really an awesome tool to really see what's happening in your tank, and seeing the effects of changes. I like that when entering in water test results, it gives you a choice of which tests you are using and makes the appropriate changes, i.e. when using the Hanna ULR Phosphorous Checker, I just enter in the number on the checker and it makes the conversion automatically to ppm. No breaking out a calculator.
Again, none of this is needed, but it may just be the best purchase I've made as far as reefing toys are concerned.