Which is a Better Controller?

n2585722 · Jul 14, 2015

As cheap as tablets are these days you can always mount one at the tank. If you are one of the ones that upgraded they are working on firmware for the RKL or RKE head unit to make them into a remote display for the Archon.

Tayloreefer · Jul 14, 2015

Ri for sure but do yourself a favor and get the extra pc4

Shep · Jul 14, 2015

Tayloreefer · Jul 14, 2015

RK sorry auto correct

swk · Jul 15, 2015

Reef Angel guy here - love it.

hybridazn · Jul 15, 2015

I recommend getting a apex lite. It will do the very basic functions you want but gives you the option to expand in the future

Shep · Jul 15, 2015

Is the apex lite the same as the jr?

Virtualbasil · Jul 15, 2015

I have a apex jr and I have never got the APP to work on my phone apparently I have to setup port forwarding on my router which time warner wont let me do.

AquamanE · Jul 15, 2015

I love my Apex, but hear Puretek is making some good affordable units.

The Apex auto feeder has quickly become one of my favorite gadgets.

evolved · Jul 16, 2015

hybridazn said:
I recommend getting a apex lite. It will do the very basic functions you want but gives you the option to expand in the future

Lite is no longer in production.

Shep said:
Is the apex lite the same as the jr?

No; big difference there.

Daytonareefing · Jul 16, 2015

I went with Apex because of the reviews on the RK to many people having trouble with it. I didn't like the cost of Apex but I love it now. I do wish they explain how to use it better in the manual. It took a lot of guessing and playing around with it to figure it out. The manual says check the forum in some places instead of explaining the basics and I hate to say a lot of people on there forum say things like look in the manual like you didn't think of that already. But I do love it now that I figured it out and they keep adding more options which I like. I was thinking of getting a reef angel cause its cheap and has good reviews but I like online setup of the Apex better.

n2585722 · Jul 16, 2015

Would it not be better to compare the Archon with the Apex than the Reefkeepers with the Apex?

Gamma · Jul 16, 2015

Very satisfied with my reefkeeper lite...just added a 2nd Controller strip for more lights and powerheads.

mtswaneya · Jul 16, 2015

d2mini said:
Me too!

Mounted my Profilux Touch in the wall next to the tank.

Nice built in.

CoralClark · Jul 16, 2015

Shep said:
Have been looking into controllers and it looks like the two best are APEX and Reefkeeper. Of these two, which do you think is better? Is APEX worth the price?

I've had both and I personally like the apex much more. Just a better piece of equipment in my opinion.

00ninja00 · Jul 16, 2015

both controllers will do the job fine, either apex or rke will do what you need, and then some. But the best contoller on the market, if we are just saying what's best, it's gotta be the GHL profilux 3.1nex ultimate. Nothing compares. And by far the easiest to program, if you can click/check boxes then you can program this controller. I vote Profilux. But if your choices are apex or RK, Id go with apex over RK, better supoort and more products. Resell value is better too.

shred5 · Jul 16, 2015

n2585722 said:
As cheap as tablets are these days you can always mount one at the tank. If you are one of the ones that upgraded they are working on firmware for the RKL or RKE head unit to make them into a remote display for the Archon.

Thats what I do.. They have more data and easier to control with than a head unit..
I bought a Samsung tablet for 80.00 and mounted too the side of the stand...

I have also been keeping a eye on the Archon and it is starting to look stable... It has a huge potential if they can keep going on it.

debby · Jul 17, 2015

whatever you think you need now, buy something with some 'headroom'

Up2no6ood · Jul 17, 2015

Have a rkl and love it!

Ginu · Jul 24, 2015

Profilux>Apex>ReefKeeper>ReefAngel>others

While the Profilux is awesome, its lacking support which is a main thing when it comes to conrollers. I had a RKE and switched to Apex which I'm very happy with so I just bought a second one for the office Tank

RK is limited to the number of modules and unless you upgrade to archon, you will eventually want internet capability and more than 4 plugs... most likely you will need two outlets for dossers (Ca and Alk) and 1 or 2 for lights and circulation pumps... Cant control the heater, fan and so on in my opinion, so I say go with a Apex.

Also since the most popular controller is Apex, it will retain its value in-case you will look into selling.