Controller info

stewmiester · 06/30/2014, 11:09 AM

Hello everyone! I've been in the hobby going on 5 years. Currently setting up a new larger tank. I am interested in a controller for my aquarium. I've looked around and I feel that apex is the way to go. Any opinions / experience on them? I have a 265 gallon with 55 gallon sump. Nothing's running at the moment just wanting to get everything figured out. Possibly upgrade to a 125 gallon sump or make a refugium out of it. I'm wanting a good controller, that will make my job easier and my tank more stable. Definitely want ph and temp probes. What all would you recommend getting? I'm sure you will want more info about my system so I'll do my best to answer. Thanks for your time.

Hudzon · 06/30/2014, 11:34 AM

It is more about you than your tank, I would consider three different ones
1: ProfiLux Controller - the Bently of the controller market
2: Apex - popular, easy to use easy to get support, many plug and play modules available
3: Reef Angel - a favorite among DIYers, requires coding for most modules and features but allows for a lot of customization.
There is a 4th but I would never recommend it over any of the above.

So if you have the money and want the best go for a ProfiLux , if you don't mind coding your modules Reef Angel is the way to go, if you want mainsteam plug and play Apex is for you.

stewmiester · 06/30/2014, 11:38 AM

Ok I'm definitely not tech friendly so I'm assuming the 3rd choice would be to complicated for me if you have to do coding and stuff.

I'm assuming the first two will do the same tasks? I'll definitely look into the ProfiLux. Is that what you have?

Donkeykong · 06/30/2014, 01:42 PM

Apex has my vote, the customer service from Neptune systems is top notch and with the apex being so popular there is a huge community and no matter what you are trying to do with the controller some one else has already tried and perfected it and most likely willing to look over your code to help you out.

stewmiester · 06/30/2014, 01:45 PM

I'm leaning towards apex. It's reasonably priced, and it seems easy to operate. Just wondering what unit I should get exactly?

hkgar · 06/30/2014, 02:05 PM

Get the full Apex. That is what I got originally and run temp, CA reactor, skimmer, t5 lights, refugium light, ATO, return, monitor tank ph. I have since added nmodules for water alarms, Echotech pumps, AI LEDs (Hydra52).

stewmiester · 06/30/2014, 02:10 PM

So that's just apex, what is apex gold?

hkgar · 06/30/2014, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewmiester

So that's just apex, what is apex gold?

Yes, just Apex, Gold is not something I have heard of. Maybe it is new?

stewmiester · 06/30/2014, 02:27 PM

Apex is 524$ and apex gold was 799 from what I've seen

hkgar · 06/30/2014, 02:56 PM

Wow, I wonder what it does that the Apex cannot do to justify an additional $275?

Someone out there must know.

hkgar · 06/30/2014, 03:00 PM

OK I found it.
Includes Apex Base Unit Controller, Apex Display Module, Long-life Temperature Probe, Energy Bar 8, Lab Grade pH, ORP and Conductivity Probes as well as the PM2 Salinity Module

It is the base unit with Ph, ORP and conductivity probes plus the salinity module. If you don't want salinity (conductivity probe), I see no reason to get it. The base unit (Apex) comes with a temp probe, temp probe, energy bar and display module.

stewmiester · 06/30/2014, 03:19 PM

So the only difference would be salinity? Would it be beneficial? Could it be added to the base unit later on?

hkgar · 06/30/2014, 04:18 PM

you could add it later. I think that having a refractometer on hand to check salinity once every week or so is just fine.

stewmiester · 06/30/2014, 05:46 PM

Yeah then I don't see the point in gold.

SeedlessOne · 06/30/2014, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewmiester

Ok I'm definitely not tech friendly so I'm assuming the 3rd choice would be to complicated for me if you have to do coding and stuff.

I'm assuming the first two will do the same tasks? I'll definitely look into the ProfiLux. Is that what you have?

Not at all. The reefangel is just as easy to setup as the rest. No coding of any sort is needed to do what most want to do.

Not sure why that follows the reefangel. Everyone thinks you need to be some wiz kid.

stewmiester · 06/30/2014, 06:04 PM

Well now I'll have to give them a look too.

06/30/2014, 11:09 AM	#1
stewmiester Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 55	Controller info Hello everyone! I've been in the hobby going on 5 years. Currently setting up a new larger tank. I am interested in a controller for my aquarium. I've looked around and I feel that apex is the way to go. Any opinions / experience on them? I have a 265 gallon with 55 gallon sump. Nothing's running at the moment just wanting to get everything figured out. Possibly upgrade to a 125 gallon sump or make a refugium out of it. I'm wanting a good controller, that will make my job easier and my tank more stable. Definitely want ph and temp probes. What all would you recommend getting? I'm sure you will want more info about my system so I'll do my best to answer. Thanks for your time.

06/30/2014, 02:05 PM	#6
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Get the full Apex. That is what I got originally and run temp, CA reactor, skimmer, t5 lights, refugium light, ATO, return, monitor tank ph. I have since added nmodules for water alarms, Echotech pumps, AI LEDs (Hydra52). __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

06/30/2014, 02:56 PM	#10
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Wow, I wonder what it does that the Apex cannot do to justify an additional $275? Someone out there must know. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

06/30/2014, 03:00 PM	#11
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	OK I found it. Includes Apex Base Unit Controller, Apex Display Module, Long-life Temperature Probe, Energy Bar 8, Lab Grade pH, ORP and Conductivity Probes as well as the PM2 Salinity Module It is the base unit with Ph, ORP and conductivity probes plus the salinity module. If you don't want salinity (conductivity probe), I see no reason to get it. The base unit (Apex) comes with a temp probe, temp probe, energy bar and display module. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

06/30/2014, 04:18 PM	#13
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	you could add it later. I think that having a refractometer on hand to check salinity once every week or so is just fine. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

06/30/2014, 11:34 AM	#2
Hudzon Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 267	It is more about you than your tank, I would consider three different ones 1: ProfiLux Controller - the Bently of the controller market 2: Apex - popular, easy to use easy to get support, many plug and play modules available 3: Reef Angel - a favorite among DIYers, requires coding for most modules and features but allows for a lot of customization. There is a 4th but I would never recommend it over any of the above. So if you have the money and want the best go for a ProfiLux , if you don't mind coding your modules Reef Angel is the way to go, if you want mainsteam plug and play Apex is for you.

06/30/2014, 11:38 AM	#3
stewmiester Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 55	Ok I'm definitely not tech friendly so I'm assuming the 3rd choice would be to complicated for me if you have to do coding and stuff. I'm assuming the first two will do the same tasks? I'll definitely look into the ProfiLux. Is that what you have?

06/30/2014, 01:42 PM	#4
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	Apex has my vote, the customer service from Neptune systems is top notch and with the apex being so popular there is a huge community and no matter what you are trying to do with the controller some one else has already tried and perfected it and most likely willing to look over your code to help you out.

06/30/2014, 01:45 PM	#5
stewmiester Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 55	I'm leaning towards apex. It's reasonably priced, and it seems easy to operate. Just wondering what unit I should get exactly?

06/30/2014, 02:10 PM	#7
stewmiester Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 55	So that's just apex, what is apex gold?

06/30/2014, 02:27 PM	#9
stewmiester Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 55	Apex is 524$ and apex gold was 799 from what I've seen

06/30/2014, 03:19 PM	#12
stewmiester Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 55	So the only difference would be salinity? Would it be beneficial? Could it be added to the base unit later on?

06/30/2014, 05:46 PM	#14
stewmiester Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 55	Yeah then I don't see the point in gold.

06/30/2014, 06:04 PM	#16
stewmiester Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 55	Well now I'll have to give them a look too.