Talk me into a Apex!!!

[daniella3d]

support? There is no best support than the Reef Angel support.

I ask in the RA forum about a program to trigger the feed mode so that my neighbourg would be able to trigger it from just one click on my small notebook when I leave for vacations. Problem is that my notebook is just a small thing with bearely any power or memory, so I needed a small application that would run without too much ressources. They suggested me a small Java application but it was lacking the feed mode.

So I go ahead and ask in the forum if it was possible to have one with the feed more and water change mode, and the programmer did it the same day and in the evening I had my program ready to download and to use with all the features I wanted. Now that some serious support!!

I now have a very small application in java that control my tank, show me the stats and send me email and text message alerts. The beauty of the RA is that anything can be done. It is not limited to what the company's programmers decided to do, you're in full control. I have absolutely zero knowledge in programmation either.

Apex is great but so much more expensive and even if you buy the full thing at full price (499$) you still are lacking the wifi connectivity and the ATO, you need to pay even more for those.

The RA is supported by a large community that is not so much aimed at profit (many are doing it for free) and the cost of development for the product and software is much lower than with a company that MUST hire programmers to produce their software for a lot of $$$$. So probably Apex must charge so much to compensate the cost of development which is pretty much free with the RA and its community.

But above all, the RA is FUN! I am always on the look out for some new things to make it do.

Originally Posted by Aquattro

The reef angel may or may not be a decent piece of equipment, but I like the Apex support. The company itself is great, and there are hundreds of users ready and willing to help with any config question you have, and you'll have many. It's not always about saving a few bucks. It's about saving grief trying to get it all figured out.

[banditpowdercoat]

Ohh my cart has a Apex in it on JL site. But if I got it this morn Wonder if the mail would get it here Friday. I'm only 4.5hrs drive away. in 100 Mile House...

[Lexy]

Originally Posted by banditpowdercoat

Ohh my cart has a Apex in it on JL site. But if I got it this morn Wonder if the mail would get it here Friday. I'm only 4.5hrs drive away. in 100 Mile House...

I got mine from Ray at reefsupplies.ca . I think he can ship it over night. Great product and service.

[BMW Rider]

Another happy Apex owner here. I replaced my Aquatronica controller with an Apex last year after it died. The Apex is leaps and bounds ahead of the Aquatronica. I'm hardly even scratching the surface of the possibilities with the Apex. It does have a bit of a steep learning curve at first to figure out the programming, but once it's set up, it runs flawlessly. I have a wireless connection to mine, but still have not configured the remote access as I've not had much need or purpose for that. I do have plans to expand on it at some point. One of the nice things about it is that you can use alternately sourced input switches for many functions using the breakout box. I reused the float switch from my Aquatronica, minus the adapter module, and used a micro switch on the cabinet door to turn on the refuge light when doing maintenance.

[FitoPharmer]

My apex cost more then the my entire 20G setup, and it is worth every penny.

[cblair]

Yup another apex vote! It's awesome to be able o monitor and control your tank while your at work or away on a trip. Definitely worth every cent.

[moppy]

LOVE my apex...

Don't really know how I ran a tank without one. (OK, I do but it really does help A LOT!)

[Midway]

Apex all the way here too. Everything about maintenance of my tank is so much easier now with this controller, since water changes to shut off pumps, skimmer, return pumps, etc, etc, etc. Feed mode, email alerts, love it!. Really piece of mind about temp issues. If one of my heaters act up and fails at the on position, my tank would NOT be fried. If temp goes higher than I programmed it, please SHUT IT OFF!! yayyyyy
And everything I do it straight from my iPhone at home or away. Worth every single penny.

[aquatechy]

Why you should get an apex:

-Good build quality
-Best rate for dollar/controllable outlet (an energy bar 8 is close to the price of digital aquatic's 4-socket power bar.... hinthinthinthint...)
-Iphone/android app
remote monitoring
-AMAZEBALLLS customer service
-VDM module (built in if you buy pro) - good for controlling tunze pumps, lights, or DIY LEDS
-data logging + graphing
-has I/O breakout to run switches, auto-top off
-can interface with Ecotech Vortech pumps (and radions too,in the future I hear?)
-the APEX has it's own programming language, which is easily mastered. you can use this to design programming. for example, i have a special calcium reactor program, that keeps my calcium reactor pH between 6.4 and 6.6, but also monitors my tank pH to ensure it stays above 7.90. If it goes below 7.90, the reactor is shut off, no matter what.
-email alerts! (the APEX can be programmed to email you when things go awry with your tank)
-sound alarm (the same as email alerts, but this works well if you're at home)
- with the newly released leak detection module, the APEX can also protect your home with some strategically placed water sensors (can monitor floors, carpet, skimmer cup)
-ease of access to parts (J&L, MarineDepot, and Neptune systems are readily accessible to get parts and accessories)