Apex Wifi vs. Reef keeper Elite

FishD@ddy · 07/26/2017, 08:21 AM

Lot of people say "you get what you pay for". But these are 2 different companies and I am new to hobby. My interest is to monitor pH, salinity, temperature. I have a JBJ 45 and plan is for mixed reef. So with the huge difference of 799$ vs. 369$ my head is

What amazes me is the data driven approach in this hobby. No guess work when you know what is happening in your tank all the time. You feel the sense of connection. So please share your experiences with either of the systems and why you chose them. Ease of use, Budget, Expansion, maintenance etc.

Thank you all for your input and help.

Cheapreef · 07/26/2017, 09:11 AM

I ran a RKE for awhile then got a great deal on a Apex Gold, they should not even be sold as a compeating product. The Apex is far easier to use/setup and expand.

tinfoilsoldier · 07/26/2017, 09:29 AM

I have both, and while the Apex isn't perfect, it is far more programmable and easy to do advanced programming on the Apex than is possible on the RKE.

My Apex never false alarms.
My RKE has false alarms weekly.

miktrav · 07/26/2017, 11:40 AM

I purchased a used Apex, it hasn't even arrived yet, after doing tons of research. Everything I have read during my pre purchase research says they are great and provide peace of mind. After my purchase I began to research the negative side of the Apex and while there are a lot of complaints if you look the majority of people and articles I have read highly recommend the Apex over anything else. A lot of people in the Apex complaints thread I have read seem to prefer the GHL Profilux.

FishD@ddy · 07/26/2017, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheapreef

I ran a RKE for awhile then got a great deal on a Apex Gold, they should not even be sold as a compeating product. The Apex is far easier to use/setup and expand.

Thanks Cheapreef. Not even competing product then. Understood.

FishD@ddy · 07/26/2017, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinfoilsoldier

I have both, and while the Apex isn't perfect, it is far more programmable and easy to do advanced programming on the Apex than is possible on the RKE.

My Apex never false alarms.
My RKE has false alarms weekly.

Thank you tinfoilsoldier. I plan to program my Kessil, ATO, Wavemakers and dosing pumps. Not copy paste but do work on logic. So Apex is easier then.

FishD@ddy · 07/26/2017, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miktrav

I purchased a used Apex, it hasn't even arrived yet, after doing tons of research. Everything I have read during my pre purchase research says they are great and provide peace of mind. After my purchase I began to research the negative side of the Apex and while there are a lot of complaints if you look the majority of people and articles I have read highly recommend the Apex over anything else. A lot of people in the Apex complaints thread I have read seem to prefer the GHL Profilux.

Thank you for the reply miktrav. Now these negative reviews are because something malfunctioned? I guess as long as we dont mess around so much and or know what you want these should function rite? I am always a bit nervous with used equipment, but then hey they all work. I will check with you again on this Apex. I have 2-3 months before I get one. I just started my tank cycling.

miktrav · 07/28/2017, 08:38 PM

I got my used unit today. It is only a few months old, the prior owner sent me a photo of the receipt, still under warranty, and saved me about $200. I am very happy about my decision to purchase used so far.

Cheapreef · 07/29/2017, 09:46 AM

Make sure when you set it up you use the "Heartbeat" monitor feature, it's turned off by default.

saf1 · 07/29/2017, 07:08 PM

May have been a good idea to list your requirements. Not brands. Several equal footing controllers out there to include open source. For example I had an original Neptune back in 2000 that used the x-10 outlets. I thought it was great and it served me well until my GSD decided it was a chew toy

Good customer support, reliable, lots of options, and easy to program.

I replaced it with the reefangel open source controller. Similar product offering to start with but more difficult to program in compared to neptunes. Anyway it wasn't difficult to set up and get the basic functionality going. Over time I started to include weather, storms, lightning strikes, etc. Fun but not necessary, right? Well, added WiFi, then another dimming expansion. Price started to add up a bit. Still going strong but I need a bit more and I am tired of unplugging the WiFi to update via the same cable connection (I don't want to buy the Bluetooth expansion).

So in with a tank upgrade I decided that maybe it is time to upgrade the controller. I have a list of options I'm looking for to start with based on the components I'm going to monitor. Apex is one. ProfiLux is another one I was looking at. Or, keep the current controller and buy the Bluetooth expansion (cheaper anyway). Because I want a network jack (I am not a fan of WiFi) that ruled out the ProfiLux. Similar price, similar package. Lacking a requirement, well, it is removed. So while I like the looks of the ProfiLux 100 x better I am going with the Apex...go figure.

Edit for vote. Between the two you listed it is a no brainer decision. Apex. For so many reasons.

FishD@ddy · 08/25/2017, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miktrav

I got my used unit today. It is only a few months old, the prior owner sent me a photo of the receipt, still under warranty, and saved me about $200. I am very happy about my decision to purchase used so far.

miktrav I got my APEX on Wednesday. Picked up from a local sale for 625$. Very happy with it. Thank you!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

FishD@ddy · 08/25/2017, 03:48 PM

Thank you everyone for recommending APEX. My tank needs are basic at this point and I'm sure this will help me expand as I progress along. I got my unit from a local sale for 625$. Used for 4-5 months. In process of calibrating probes and connecting my Lights and wavemakers etx. Thanks again!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

View Poll Results: Apex vs. Reef keeper
Apex Fusion	16	100.00%
Reef Keeper Elite	0	0%
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

07/26/2017, 08:21 AM	#1
FishD@ddy Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 56	Apex Wifi vs. Reef keeper Elite Lot of people say "you get what you pay for". But these are 2 different companies and I am new to hobby. My interest is to monitor pH, salinity, temperature. I have a JBJ 45 and plan is for mixed reef. So with the huge difference of 799$ vs. 369$ my head is What amazes me is the data driven approach in this hobby. No guess work when you know what is happening in your tank all the time. You feel the sense of connection. So please share your experiences with either of the systems and why you chose them. Ease of use, Budget, Expansion, maintenance etc. Thank you all for your input and help.

07/26/2017, 09:29 AM	#3
tinfoilsoldier Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 54	I have both, and while the Apex isn't perfect, it is far more programmable and easy to do advanced programming on the Apex than is possible on the RKE. My Apex never false alarms. My RKE has false alarms weekly. __________________ 180G+sump with Apex, RSM250+basement sump with Reefkeeper Elite. Automation and monitoring FTW. Mostly soft corals, with some euphylia, trumpets, and acans Current Tank Info: 180G at work, and RSM250 with basement sump at home

07/26/2017, 11:40 AM	#4
miktrav Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 245	I purchased a used Apex, it hasn't even arrived yet, after doing tons of research. Everything I have read during my pre purchase research says they are great and provide peace of mind. After my purchase I began to research the negative side of the Apex and while there are a lot of complaints if you look the majority of people and articles I have read highly recommend the Apex over anything else. A lot of people in the Apex complaints thread I have read seem to prefer the GHL Profilux. __________________ THE ULTIMATE MEASURE OF A MAN IS NOT WHERE HE STANDS IN MOMENTS OF COMFORT, BUT WHERE HE STANDS AT TIMES OF CHALLENGE AND CONTROVERSY. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon RR, LPS, Softies, ASM Skimmer, Mag 9 Return Pump

07/28/2017, 08:38 PM	#8
miktrav Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 245	I got my used unit today. It is only a few months old, the prior owner sent me a photo of the receipt, still under warranty, and saved me about $200. I am very happy about my decision to purchase used so far. __________________ THE ULTIMATE MEASURE OF A MAN IS NOT WHERE HE STANDS IN MOMENTS OF COMFORT, BUT WHERE HE STANDS AT TIMES OF CHALLENGE AND CONTROVERSY. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon RR, LPS, Softies, ASM Skimmer, Mag 9 Return Pump

07/26/2017, 09:11 AM	#2
Cheapreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,076	I ran a RKE for awhile then got a great deal on a Apex Gold, they should not even be sold as a compeating product. The Apex is far easier to use/setup and expand.

07/29/2017, 09:46 AM	#9
Cheapreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,076	Make sure when you set it up you use the "Heartbeat" monitor feature, it's turned off by default.

07/29/2017, 07:08 PM	#10
saf1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: California Posts: 2,259	May have been a good idea to list your requirements. Not brands. Several equal footing controllers out there to include open source. For example I had an original Neptune back in 2000 that used the x-10 outlets. I thought it was great and it served me well until my GSD decided it was a chew toy Good customer support, reliable, lots of options, and easy to program. I replaced it with the reefangel open source controller. Similar product offering to start with but more difficult to program in compared to neptunes. Anyway it wasn't difficult to set up and get the basic functionality going. Over time I started to include weather, storms, lightning strikes, etc. Fun but not necessary, right? Well, added WiFi, then another dimming expansion. Price started to add up a bit. Still going strong but I need a bit more and I am tired of unplugging the WiFi to update via the same cable connection (I don't want to buy the Bluetooth expansion). So in with a tank upgrade I decided that maybe it is time to upgrade the controller. I have a list of options I'm looking for to start with based on the components I'm going to monitor. Apex is one. ProfiLux is another one I was looking at. Or, keep the current controller and buy the Bluetooth expansion (cheaper anyway). Because I want a network jack (I am not a fan of WiFi) that ruled out the ProfiLux. Similar price, similar package. Lacking a requirement, well, it is removed. So while I like the looks of the ProfiLux 100 x better I am going with the Apex...go figure. Edit for vote. Between the two you listed it is a no brainer decision. Apex. For so many reasons. __________________ -saf1 Current Tank Info: 210 gallon mixed reef Last edited by saf1; 07/29/2017 at 07:10 PM. Reason: Edit: voted...

08/25/2017, 03:48 PM	#12
FishD@ddy Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 56	Thank you everyone for recommending APEX. My tank needs are basic at this point and I'm sure this will help me expand as I progress along. I got my unit from a local sale for 625$. Used for 4-5 months. In process of calibrating probes and connecting my Lights and wavemakers etx. Thanks again!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk