I chose the Apex because of the support out there and the fact that I could monitor and control my tank from anywhere either by phone or Internet. The Apex also allows you to receive alerts both by text messages to your cell and emails. Another reason that I went with the Apex was they already had stuff built into their controllers that DA had been promising for a year and still not delivered.

Network access has been handy to remotely monitor and control temp, lights, powerheads, doser :). Also you need the net module to get email alerts which is nice. Can I live without it, yea. Of all the "needless" add ins tho that one is the most "useful".

The nice feature about my controller has nothing to do with any of the probes. My controller is used to interface with my lights (halides, actinics, moon), powerheads (programable tunzes), and doser. All of these things need to be programmed and controlled so it is nice to do all of that in one place. The alternative would be separate controller/timer for lights, dedicated tunze pump controller, stand alone doser or timers for dosing pumps. Being able to control any power socket is handy too. I can remotely cut power to any component (skimmer, return pump, reactors, etc).


I would assume the big 3 controllers can all do those things as well. Not 100% on that tho, might want to research if any of those extra controlling features are useful to you.

Temp probe is a must

Ph proble is also good because it saved my tank once time when i do something to my tank and forgot to turn replug my power head and return bump. So guess what, my ph dropped like crazy so i got an alarm tell me something is wrong with the tank.

You can program so that the light auto shut off if temp is too high. Thing that i like to do over network is

1) Feed and watch my fish when i am away. I have a camera in front of my tank and i can control my feeder :-)

2) If i forgot to turn off something when i left the house, i can still do it when i am away from home

3) It works like a TV remote control. I can control the outlets without has to go near the tank, I can use the Apex display but I found iphone UI app is much easier to use

4) Also, not happen to me yet but what if one day you are out of town and get a phone call from your wife saying" water is on the floor" because a snail got into the return line . I would want to able to shut off just the return pump remotely and leave powerhead on. I am sure most of our wives would not know which power to unplug :-)

Oh My God!! This is exaqctly why I wanted a controller in the first place!!


OK... how do you have control over your feeder? I've been trying to figure out a way to do that. What kind of feeder? Also... how do you have the camera set up? I would LOVE this! Only down side to the camera is that I love coming home after 4 days at work and looking for new gowth... camera might ruin that! lol

I used Rena feeder where it will rotate the drum when on. So I turn off then on to make it rotate. I used a network camera and there is iPhone app to control it

Still up in the air on what brand I want to go with, keep the experience with your controller's flowing every bit of info will help us all.

I will respond to all the input as soon as I get some of the new goodies I picked up in Calgary in my tank.

Thanks to one and all for your input, much appreciated. :biggrin:

Tai, you have the feeder plugged into the power outlets that are controlled by your APEX and when you want to feed the controller turns the power on, drum turns and then the controller turn off the power. Is that how it works??

I know for a fact my wife would have no idea what plug to pull even with them all labeled like I have them. Another reason I want a controller.:biggrin:

The RFE has a module called NET that does the same thing and now comes with both the RKE and the RKL packages.

I have had my Reefkeeper for close to 4yrs. now. Not a problem except a temp probe failure. I now keep them on hand and replace as needed, every year or so, just in case. Also had nothing but great customer support from them.

I would have no problem going with one of the newer RK models but if I had a large tank and was doing it all again may choose the Profilux models sold by several of our sponsors.

So I think I am leaning towards the Reef Keeper Elite, here is what I would get:

ReefKeeper Elite (NET)
Package Contents:
1 x ReefKeeper Elite Head Unit (GC1)
2 x RKM-PC4 (total of 8 outlets)
1 x RKM-SL1 (Inputs: pH, ORP, Temperature, 2 x Switch Ports)
1 x RKM-NET
1 x Temperature probe
1 x Digital Aquatics pH probe
1 x SID - System Interface Device
1 x 6' USB Cable
1 x 6' Bus Cable
2 x 3' Bus Cable
2 x 1' Bus Cable
1 x 7' CAT5 Ethernet Cable
10x Mounting Screws

SL2
Package Contents:
1 x RKM-SL2 module
1 x 3' Bus cable
2 x Mounting Screws

I would also get a double float switch and when available the new version probe for conductivity.

I've got the profilux and am quite happy with it. I would consider the controller as an investment... consider all the things you'd love to do to the tank and buy the controller that will grow with you.

With a tank your size, I would NOT buy the cheapest one that will "work for now". It should facilitate your add-on goals, not limit them.

I hear ya Chris, I really don't for see any more major add-on to this tank. I am almost happy with the way it is and the RKE has a lot more that I could add down the road. I just like the simple set-up factor, I have talked to a few people with both APEX and RKE and most say RK is a little easier to set-up and run. As my wife will have to be show how it work to it has to be a little easier.:lol:

Don't know what the other two you are looking at cost but this is a good deal on a profilux

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...threadid=70598

Hey Chris I just looked into the link you sent me and I can get everything I want for about $100 more. With the start up kit I would have to add about $400 more for the add on mods and probes.

I have the Neptune Apex bud.. and I cant say I have tried the others! but i love the Apex! (Not the Lite) The light only has 1 PH port! and no Digital Inputs for float switches! But from what I have seen the Apex kicks some ass! And you do not need to buy additional Addons for it to be used on a network! its a All in one unit! But like I said I have not tried the others at all! But my experience so far is awesome! and the iphone app kicks some serious ass!. IMO they all do the same thing! but soe do it cheaper and easier! Im NO programming master But this thing was soo easy to setup! and even easier to use! The shitty thing is that I do need to buy the breakout box for the condictivity and then I will be happy! BUT on a word of caution! do not order factory direct they are kind of dumb! I ordered mine from then cuz they said it would come with a ph probe! for the same price that JL has it on there site! so i thought what the hell! Well. when I got it, the PH probe was not there... and when I looked at the invoice they knocked off 40 bucks! I was like Hell yeas! but that wasnt the case! They took out the PH probe and shipped it to me without informing me that they were Taking the ph probe out.. Then AFTER we were all said and done they wouldnt admit fault! or ship a ph probe! they offed $10 off the probe tho! But i had to pay shipping again.. Was kinda Effed up!! I just thought someone would like to know that!!!