Seeking Alternatives to Apex

[.Zion]

Hi All,

I have been looking more and more into Apex and while I like it's concept, I have some reservations about it. Firstly their lack of attention to the UK market and the inflated price it has received. But more importantly. Is seems Apex has been designed to be displayed as a show piece and not with functionality in mind. What I mean here is, if we look at power strips they have a slim and long profile designed to require minimal amount of space being required, while the Apex Power Banks require a significant more amount of valuable space.

With this in mind I have been trying to look at alternative options but there really does not seem to be much choice that I can find, certainly within the UK market. Is anyone able to guide me to alternative options I could look into?

Regards,

Zion.

 

[GoVols]

Zion,
Can you get Reef Angel Controllers and support in the UK?

(lol)
I like my Apex, but looks like you want to go another direction.

I'd stay away from GHL... ;Stop unless the bugs have been worked out. (lol) Not paying a company to be a beta user...

Hope other's will come along and chime in...

 

[.Zion]

Hi GoVols,

Many thanks for the reply, just did a Google search and unfortunately nothing came up for anything this side of the Atlantic.

As I say I do like the Apex but I feel flamboyancy was priortised over practical placement and space awareness, also prices are in the UK are excessive. To give you an example the price you would pay for the Leak Detector Kit is the same price I would pay just for the module and then again the same price for the sensors, so it's twice the price and that is just one part of it.

Also they have zero interest in bring the new power bar here which again means having to spend more money on modules to be able to use the powerlink cables.

If anyone else has some other suggestions please let me know

Regards,

Zion

 

[Bob Escher]

If you want you could still use the EB4 or the EB8, on the new APEX2016, yes you lose some functionality
Such as losing monitoring energy consumption and a extra 24v outlet, and 1link.
But you have modules to replace those.
So you do have those options.
I am running one EB8 myself on my APEX2016 and actually on the EB you have more aquabus ports than on the EB832 by the way

 

[Mortie31]

Just go GHL, they cater properly for the rest of the world...

 

[NS Mike D]

if you have some DIY skills, @Ranjib has done a fantastic job with the reefpi projects. the basic modules have step by step writes ups and the folks in the thread are talented problem solvers. you can customize your powerstrips with UK receptacles.
I was going to go that route until I was able to pick up a used apex classic on the cheap and my needs were basic. My lights are wifi controlled and I already had a DIY ATO, so the stock temp, Ph and power strip did the trick for me.

Check out the DIY forum for the reefpi threads

 

[GoVols]

Just go GHL, they cater properly for the rest of the world...

Has GHL worked out all the known bugs?

Lol
I'm not paying top dollar to have to program / trouble shoot like a software engineer

 

[Saveafish]

Just go GHL, they cater properly for the rest of the world...

That what I'm leaning to. Seems they are rock solid.

 

[daelie]

Has GHL worked out all the known bugs?

Lol
I'm not paying top dollar to have to program / trouble shoot like a software engineer

GHL is known for being rock solid with actual quality materials, which matters more to most people than a pretty interface.

I’ve had zero issues with their software either.

OP should be getting a GHL.

 

[GoVols]

GHL is known for being rock solid with actual quality materials, which matters more to most people than a pretty interface.

I’ve had zero issues with their software either.

OP should be getting a GHL.

Good to know, but there sure where big time issues and I will let an OP know, to do their own research.

The last time I looked they had very well known bugs and fireware issues too.

But... That was about a year back.

Could careless about a pretty interface.

OP needs to buy what he's comfortable with.

 

[Mortie31]

Has GHL worked out all the known bugs?

Lol
I'm not paying top dollar to have to program / trouble shoot like a software engineer

What bugs? .. mine works fine

 

[GoVols]

What bugs? .. mine works fine

I could call a good friend in here, but I'm not going to do that.

The OP needs to do his own research and hitting the GHL sponor forum would be a good thought too.

Things may have improved.

 

[.Zion]

Hi Mike,

DIY skills? Yes, I have those, programming skills on the other hand... unfortunately those are something I am lacking.

Mortis and GoVols, sorry I didn't meant to stir up debate hahaha. I have seen the GHL although seems intense, but in fairness I have not really looked into it. I am have a look into the Tunze controller, which seems pretty simple and limited more to the point it's limited to just Tunze products.. unless I am mistaken?

I will look into both in more detail, I'm not really sure what I want from a controller and what I want it to do, which is not helping!

Regards,

Zion

 

[Matt Carden]

Another option is build your own
reef-pi. Alot of reefers on here doing it so there's alot of support.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...tank-controller-based-on-raspberry-pi.289256/

 

[reefwiser]

I could call a good friend in here, but I'm not going to do that.

The OP needs to do his own research and hitting the GHL sponor forum would be a good thought too.

Things may have improved.

No issues with GHL or Apex. If over seas Apex has not updated their power bars for the U.K.
I would also look at WiFi power strips. If your goal is just controlling pumps and lights easily. They do everything a controller does in that reguard

I use a KASA power strips on my planted aquariums.

Kasa Smart Power Strip 6 WiFi Outlets by TP-Link - Surge Protection, Control from Anywhere, Energy Monitoring, 3 USB Ports, No Hub Required, Works with Alexa Echo & Google Assistant (HS300) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G95FFN3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_nI5oCb9ERMY85

I use all controllers as that is what I have done for a living for 45 years now.

 

[Mortie31]

I could call a good friend in here, but I'm not going to do that.

The OP needs to do his own research and hitting the GHL sponor forum would be a good thought too.

Things may have improved.

They must be much improved as I have no computer skills at all and I run mine ok lol. My idea of being technical is if something goes wrong turn it off and then back on.. GHL like most of these controllers has its foibles that you need to get to know, but they now have dozens of how to videos on YouTube that are really good

 

[griff500]

I've just gone from Apex to GHL for my new tank. I'm at the early stages of getting it set up but I can say that it's great quality and so far I'm really pleased with it.

 

[.Zion]

The more I think on this, I think I really want a decent monitor rather than controller for the most part, problem is there does not really seem to be a decent monitor on the market. The Seneye Reef is good but I don't really feel it caters completely and is not expandable to add things like salinity. I run one on my tropical tank and it does the job there, but I just think it would be too limited on a reef tank.

Does anyone have any other suggestions.

Regards,

Zion