Is it worth it?

[F.Q]

Hello my friends. I have a new 30 gallon tank. I don't have a test kit and I'm wondering if this item is worth it. I can't afford a really fancy one. This one i's $100. What are your thoughts?
Apex
Neptune Systems AquaController Apex Display Module

 

[Bob Escher]

Apex is a monitoring package it doesn't test anything. Do you need it? No not really. I would save up your money for test kits if you are going to have a saltwater tank.
There are many different brands but the a good one to start is this one
https://www.amazon.com/API-Saltwate...sr=8-1&keywords=api+master+saltwater+test+kit

But no you really don't need a monitoring controller nice but ther is also cheaper one as well then a APEX but if your only paying hundred dollars for a used one hmm maybe

 

[F.Q]

Thanks Bob this helps a lot!! [emoji38]

 

[Bob Escher]

Thanks Bob this helps a lot!! [emoji38]

No problem just research and ask and ask and don't worry if you get different answers. No tank is the same so everyone may have a slight difference in what's going on
I used to add up all the different remarks with similar and then take the number of like ( the most of the same answer) and use that nor (NOT)

This a great place to research and learn

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

After having spent around 2,000$ on an apex when I first got into the hobby and then having the opportunity to return it since a couple years went by without adding functionality to "supported" products, I returned it.
Went with a Reef Angel after that for a fraction of the price.

Know what I learned? As long as you have something to control your dosers and then do weekly water changes that happen over a day or two, eliminates the need to monitor anything.
Then once every month or two you can adjust levels if you like by testing, but it's still not entirely necessary.

I think there's too much doom and fear used by the companies to get you to buy their stuff.

If you need to control other things, then get the plugins, but simple on/off controls most things. For power outages just get yourself a battery array and an inverter/charger with an automatic switch. That's more dependable than an alert.

 

[cb684]

That is only the display module, not the controller. The controller costs $ 800
If it is worth it? It depends on what you will do with it. I would say it is, but I use it to control lights, dosers, salt mix station, ATO, AWC, as a second layer of protection agains heaters failure, chiller, and in the past used to control a calcium reactor. It also allows me to know in real time when there is a power outage, or if temperature, pH, ORP are out of the ranges I believe are normal. It tests some of the parameters (temperature, pH, ORP, dissolved oxygen, conductivity) but not NO3, NH4, PO4, ALK, Ca. It is not a substitute for the test kits.