Rfl or apex

[patfat]

Well want to get a controller but need help on which is more of an ideal choice..So have a 24g tank..mp10, finnex titanium heater with ink bird(wanting to get rid of ink bird as the prob looks to be starting to rust), micro ATO, AI Prime HD, fuge light...nothing else will be ran on this tank..pretty basic set up..won’t be going to a larger tank for quite some time...wants some honest opinions on which way to go...

So the prime runs it self and won’t be putting that on the controller.

Thinking about putting the ATO on the controller

Fuge light on controller

Mp10 on controller

Heater on controller

Gonna be going on holiday soon and no one to watch the tank..so just want an extra bit of security and piece of mind..I know the system can run itself with out any problem but again piece of mind

I know the apex can send emails

I know the rkl emailing/web module sucks from what everyone says..

Won’t be doing any ph/orp modules

Might get a second bar just to put the return pump and light on it for the heck of it

Price point I can get a rkl pretty cheap on here and apex even if second hand is still deep pockets..but willing to go which ever way is more worth it

Is it even worth getting a controller or just leave things as it is?

Will need a replacement for the ink bird any ways

Any ideas on which way is better to go? Or any better questions I should think of to choose either road to go down

 

[lbacha]

I have both, the RKL is ok but you have to get modules and probes if you want anything but temp monitoring and control. As you stated the .net module is lacking and adds to the cost.

My apex 2016 has every bell and whistle out of the box plus some. I love the fusion interface and find myself checking it all the time. The power monitoring is a good reason to put things on the power bar as I can watch my lights ramp up and down with it as well as confirm all my pumps and powerheads are running. I can even confirm that the vortechs are switching modes by looking at the power consumption.

That being said I paid $100 used (with an extra power bar) and $720 new for the apex so their is a big price difference to consider.

 

[[Cameron]]

My suggestion, pick up an RKL ($120) as a backup to your heaters and to cycle your fuge light. Get an Ecotech Battery Backup for your MP10 ($165) or an Icecap Battery Backup ($100). Lastly install a webcam pointed toward your tank. Wyze Labs makes a great cheap camera to do just this ($25). Check said webcam occasionally when you are away. If something happens, call your best LFS and they can usually sort it out remotely.

You could go with the Apex Jr ($240) with a wave controller ($125) which gives you control over your MP10 but you can get that with the Reeflink much cheaper ($100). The advantage of an Apex is the ability to expand and the company behind Apex is solid.

I wrote interface software for Neptune (now Apex) once upon a time. What I learned is don't put anything critical on them and don't trust them. The hardware is all consumer grade, not encapsulated (you would think they would encase the electronics in epoxy) and live near fairly harsh conditions. Controllers are good for tinkering and general backup to other systems such as heaters.

 

[Darryl]

I have both, the RKL is ok but you have to get modules and probes if you want anything but temp monitoring and control. As you stated the .net module is lacking and adds to the cost.

My apex 2016 has every bell and whistle out of the box plus some. I love the fusion interface and find myself checking it all the time. The power monitoring is a good reason to put things on the power bar as I can watch my lights ramp up and down with it as well as confirm all my pumps and powerheads are running. I can even confirm that the vortechs are switching modes by looking at the power consumption.

That being said I paid $100 used (with an extra power bar) and $720 new for the apex so their is a big price difference to consider.

The new Archon is what you want to get from DigitalAquatics . works great heave 3 on the many tanks i have and they run flawlessly all wireless go to the digital aquatics site and take a look .

 

[Jeepguy242]

Apex.


My reefkeeper was a pain to program and it won’t work with a MacBook.

Their support sucks and no web based interface

Plus apex is a sponsor here

 

[315wall]

I vote Apex I have 2 and upgraded from an AC3. The programming is very simple and the number of controllable accessories continues to grow. You have most of what you need right out of the box I would add a salinity monitor.

 

[Darryl]

Apex.


My reefkeeper was a pain to program and it won’t work with a MacBook.

Their support sucks and no web based interface

Plus apex is a sponsor here

the archon works great with mac and is web based interface ! thats all i use ,and the reef keeper is so simple to use. customer service is great as well
and as for apex being a sponsor here great! so what.