is the new apex user friendly?

[Toomnymods]

I'm starting to buy all the hardware for my 220 gallon reef build. I had the old style apex which I hated with a passion. It took a degree of computer engineering to set it, calibrate it, and to keep it going. with the new version is the software finally on a computer where u can just type in the amount of seconds you want each outlet active? I want something easy to configure. Not a nightmare like the old version.

 

[rich nyc]

the new one comes with preset programs. I havent changed much but was pretty user friendly.

 

[m0jjen]

Id say so, got mine about 3 weeks ago and havent had any problems so far (besides a busted probe which i got replaced)

 

[Toomnymods]

does it have preset programs for feeding, kalk stirrer (stir 2-3 mins every hr), wave scenerios, etc? my radions I plan on buying should be able to handle the lighting schedules.
I also remember having a plethora of problems trying to get the original apex to be friendly to my other networking items in my house. it was constantly having conflicts. I don't know anything about networking so if this is still something that happens i'll probably look for another controller brand. I can physically hardwire this apex into my network if that will help the networking issues? I have a 100 gigabit switch located right in my living room for my movies to download for my 4k tv.

 

[m0jjen]

I have not experianced any networking issues so far atleast, im using wifi exclusivly. Regarding the kalk stirrer its not to hard to code.

For the ecotech products you need an WMX module (or what its called). I currently use the reeflink since i already had it.

 

[Toomnymods]

I also plan on buying the controllable eco-tech return pump, since it's capable of 2100gph and can be turned down by ecotechs software, hate wasting electricity, but like having more power incase I have to add a chiller later. What is the benefit of having the Neptune control my eco-tech radion gen 4 pros, my mp40's, and my return pump over using the ecotech software? I've been out of the saltwater game for a while and don't know why youd want something controlling something that always has control if you know what I mean?

 

[m0jjen]

Id say none. Im not going to buy the module anytime soon. There are some nice presets in the reeflink which I doubt the WXM module has. Apart from that the controllability is identical id say.

 

[GoVols]

I'm starting to buy all the hardware for my 220 gallon reef build. I had the old style apex which I hated with a passion. It took a degree of computer engineering to set it, calibrate it, and to keep it going. with the new version is the software finally on a computer where u can just type in the amount of seconds you want each outlet active? I want something easy to configure. Not a nightmare like the old version.

When your had the old style did you ever use the Apex Fusion cloud?

 

[aquaman30k]

I also plan on buying the controllable eco-tech return pump, since it's capable of 2100gph and can be turned down by ecotechs software, hate wasting electricity, but like having more power incase I have to add a chiller later. What is the benefit of having the Neptune control my eco-tech radion gen 4 pros, my mp40's, and my return pump over using the ecotech software? I've been out of the saltwater game for a while and don't know why youd want something controlling something that always has control if you know what I mean?

From what I understand, the WXM won't control the Ecotech Vectra's. I use the reeflink for the Vectra's and will be using a WXM eventually to control everything else Ecotech.

 

[Toomnymods]

When your had the old style did you ever use the Apex Fusion cloud?

no that wasn't out in 2012

 

[GoVols]

no that wasn't out in 2012

Well, Have a watch and see if you'd like it better than your old with no Fusion.

 

[GoVols]

I'm starting to buy all the hardware for my 220 gallon reef build. I had the old style apex which I hated with a passion. It took a degree of computer engineering to set it, calibrate it, and to keep it going. with the new version is the software finally on a computer where u can just type in the amount of seconds you want each outlet active? I want something easy to configure. Not a nightmare like the old version.

Toomnymods,
I use the Apex DOS pumps. Watch below.

 

[d2mini]

If you want easy to configure, also look into the GHL Profilux. They just came out with an updated version, too.
You just open up the software and pick from menus or directly input numbers like "79" for your temp control for example.
They've always been the easiest to program since there is no programming language to learn. And they are uber stable/reliable.

 

[dragon99]

Some things have a easy to use, click through interface (where the line code programming is hidden), but I find that I'm frequently having to search google for more advanced configurations and modifying the line code to do what I want. A perfect example is dosing pumps (non-Neptune). There's no wizard in Apex or Fusion that calculates the on/off times and duration for you, but a quick search on Google will give you a website that spits out the code needed.

So, it's better, but they still have room to improve.