Is a controller WORTH it for me?

Bruce Burnett · Nov 27, 2015

thenanoreef said:
Thank you everyone for your information. I was thinking of adding the salinity probe because I have never owned a refractometer only a swing arm hydrometer. I figure monitoring salinity isn't something I regularly do, so having it always available would be really nice. I would like an apex but I'm looking at at least $150 more for the ph probe package, then whatever it would cost to add on the salinity probe (like another $125) . I agree that good equipment is better than a controller, but I only run a heater and lights along with a retun pump and RW-4 nothing could really go wrong other than the heater failing. I am looking at this more for monitoring than control. And this would offer the little bit of redundancy I need and connect my data to the web (rather than buying multiple pinpoint individual monitors). Those are my thoughts currently although I'm going to need to pull the trigger by the end of the weekend if this is actually going to happen. I'm just fighting myself, playing devils advocate saying "do I really need this? At what point is it all TOO much?"

Thanks

Thenanoreef

For salinity a digital refractometer is great, I have had floating hygrometer, swing arm, hand held refratometer and pinpoint monitor but I will take my Milwaukee digital over all the others. Good testing kits are more important than a controller as you have to still have a way to verify and double check and calibrate the reading from any controller.

Harry_Y · Nov 27, 2015

chessplayer86 said:
are all APEX controllers the same on any package?

As far as I know On the full systems Yes, The JR is different though.
Personally I'd buy the full Apex as it allows for more future expansion.
(it comes in handy to be able to easily add outlets)

I would be led to believe that the The Apex has the largest number
of users of any controller (at least in the US), and a great forum.

Now to throw a curve into the mix Others have raved about
the Puratek Insight 24/7 but I have no experience on that one.
(and I believe it bay be at more of a premium price)

As an FYI: I did have a Profilux, and while nice I believe the Apex is more flexible.
I also have (but no longer use a Reefkeeper Lite and a Reefkeeper Elete, Niether is in
the same class as the Apex (and the support from the manufacture has been very poor).

For salinity I just use a refractometer, There is typically no need to monitor it 24/7.

BTW: Take a look at APEX Fusion, it truly is pretty slick.
I'm an IT guy (computer) by trade and it makes it so simple even for non IT
people to get it hooked up and able to control and use from the internet.
As far as I know nobody else has that same capability, sure you can log into their
controller (the apex also does that as well) but the fusion takes it to a whole new level.

My #1 advice is to research each one you consider and look at their service and support track record.

In the grand scheme the controller is a minor cost (compared to the aquarium life).
Choose one, and even then make sure that you build in some fail safes.

You are on the right path ask lots of questions, then choose.

thenanoreef · Nov 27, 2015

Wow, so in an interesting turn of events, I am now considering the APEX jr. With one other add on. The reason for my switch is the overwehelming "go Neptune" voice. Many people have said many negative things about DA's customer service. Bad service is not something I want to deal with and I would prefer Neptune systems anyways. The issue is that to stay under $400, I need to choose between monitoring PH or Salinity. The former would drop the overall price to $327 ish, the latter puts me right at $399. Neither are parameter I really pay attention to, but I think I would like to look at the salinity of the tank (it being a nano which can fluctuate) more than ph. Does this make sense? Any thoughts?

chefjpaul · Nov 27, 2015

I haven't checked ph in over a year and use a refractometer for salinity, probes suck after a few weeks.

thenanoreef · Nov 28, 2015

chefjpaul said:
I haven't checked ph in over a year and use a refractometer for salinity, probes suck after a few weeks.

Could you elaborate on what "probes suck after a few weeks" means

chefjpaul · Nov 28, 2015

That salinity and ph just need to be recalibrated so often i just gave up doing it.

Just me.

chessplayer86 · Nov 29, 2015

thenanoreef said:
Wow, so in an interesting turn of events, I am now considering the APEX jr. With one other add on. The reason for my switch is the overwehelming "go Neptune" voice. Many people have said many negative things about DA's customer service. Bad service is not something I want to deal with and I would prefer Neptune systems anyways. The issue is that to stay under $400, I need to choose between monitoring PH or Salinity. The former would drop the overall price to $327 ish, the latter puts me right at $399. Neither are parameter I really pay attention to, but I think I would like to look at the salinity of the tank (it being a nano which can fluctuate) more than ph. Does this make sense? Any thoughts?

for $472.49 you get the APEX at BRS I would go for that one.

bevo5 · Nov 29, 2015

Y'all are crazy. A controller is absolutely awesome to have. Do you need it? Of course not! But you also don't need timers or ato's. All of these things are just ways to improve the experience through removing some of the tedious chores that go along with the tanks.

I love my two Apexes and would never set up a tank without some sort of controller again. With all the money I spend on equipment and livestock another few hundred is well worth it. Even if it's not absolutely mandatory.

But it's not absolutely mandatory at all. People ran and run beautiful setups without these computers. I've had tanks for 25 years and only recently got into apex. So it's personal voice.

Harry_Y · Nov 29, 2015

chessplayer86 said:
for $472.49 you get the APEX at BRS I would go for that one.

That's what I'd go with as well

Eckolancer · Nov 29, 2015

This thread is a year old.

thenanoreef · Nov 29, 2015

@Eckolancer Umm, I started this thread this past week. I don't know where you see its a year old

Anyways I pulled the trigger and got the Jr. Sorry for my guys who said the full version, but quite honestly the full version was overkill for what I needed. Super happy! Thanks for everyones info!!!

Thenanoreef

bevo5 · Nov 29, 2015

You'll enjoy it. The only reason to get the full used to be that the Jr limited the number of modules you could add. The new software update lets you add as many as you want to the jr so you're good to go. Now you can add stuff as you want. And the salinity probe is ok but a refractometer is the same and cheaper

chessplayer86 · Nov 29, 2015

thenanoreef said:
@Eckolancer Umm, I started this thread this past week. I don't know where you see its a year old

Anyways I pulled the trigger and got the Jr. Sorry for my guys who said the full version, but quite honestly the full version was overkill for what I needed. Super happy! Thanks for everyones info!!!

Thenanoreef

the xenforum always has bugs with dates, it shows you posted on 2014 lol

thenanoreef · Nov 30, 2015

chessplayer86 said:
the xenforum always has bugs with dates, it shows you posted on 2014 lol

LOL, Nope posted this just last week with all the BRS sales going on

chessplayer86 · Nov 30, 2015

oh your right the confusion is your JOINED date haha

thenanoreef · Nov 30, 2015

I was going to say... Thats more than a bug if its showing a year off. Yeah the date on the side below names is the date joined. The date or time in the blue bar above a post is the posted date for that response

Bruce Burnett · Nov 30, 2015

bevo5 said:
Y'all are crazy. A controller is absolutely awesome to have. Do you need it? Of course not! But you also don't need timers or ato's. All of these things are just ways to improve the experience through removing some of the tedious chores that go along with the tanks.

I love my two Apexes and would never set up a tank without some sort of controller again. With all the money I spend on equipment and livestock another few hundred is well worth it. Even if it's not absolutely mandatory.

But it's not absolutely mandatory at all. People ran and run beautiful setups without these computers. I've had tanks for 25 years and only recently got into apex. So it's personal voice.

Just curious what chores does the controller reduce if it really reduces the amount of things to be done or reduces cost.

chessplayer86 · Nov 30, 2015

@Bruce Burnett think about it as an investment for reducing risk

when you automate any process and make it easy to read, understand and detect it reduces the risk of waiting for something to happen to actually do something about it.

I have not bought mine yet haha

Harry_Y · Dec 1, 2015

Bruce Burnett said:
Just curious what chores does the controller reduce if it really reduces the amount of things to be done or reduces cost.

It comes in very handy on larger systems.

You can have it: Act as your top off, Light timer, Pump controller, Calcium Reactor Controller

And even more complex task such as: Have it add Lime water (kalkwasser) only if the pH is below a certain point.

It can even e-mail , or text you if an error occurs such as a Leak, Poweroutage, etc