Help picking an Apex controller

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by habs247

I also meant to ask a question about my auto top off unit - can this be controlled by any of the apex units or do they have a built in function for ato. In which case I guess I would sell my ato.

No, you would need to configure floats or switches, depending on your ATO setup.
A big question, and one that is hard to answer, is what are you going to need next year? You really want a display, it helps if you need to troubleshoot connectivity issues. A VDM is a variable speed/dimming module, so lots of LED and pumps will use this feature. The add-on VDM is about $120. Will you ever use a Ca Reactor, and need pH? Maybe.
At a bare minimum, I'd go with the Lite model, but if you need VDM, you've just paid more than the full package. Although, if you are ever considering AI Sol lights, you'll need the add-on VDM anyway.
The junior, while looking good price-wise, would probably just have you wishing you spent more and got the Lite.

[whatcaneyedo]

Legacy support means that you can use all of the old Neptune equipment on it like the old power bars and the breakout box. For those of us who used to have an AquaController this was a great feature because it meant we could continue to use as much of our old stuff as we wanted. To use the Apex to control your ATO you'll need to buy or make a breakout box and some individual float switches.

[habs247]

Ok gotcha. I had hoped it would be built in. Might be better just to keep my existing ato which works well instead of fiddling with a new system.

[habs247]

Thanks everyone. I don't doubt I'll be back with questions re: getting it going!

[gregzz4]

Nothing worse than buying something new and finding out it's not expandable enough to meet your needs ...

I bought a different brand beginner level unit. Before I even took it off the LR rubbermaid it was running, I realized it would not handle all the modules I would need
I ended up buying the top level unit before I even had my DT ready to run

Add up what it will cost you to add all the things you'll need later ...

Nothing like spending it all now and not regretting it down the road

[habs247]

Thanks everyone. Now debating between the Lite and the full blown unit.

[Enigma]

You'll have to do the math to decide at this point. If you want a VDM at some point in time, it might be a couple of bucks cheaper for you to get the Apex: unless you're planning on using the AI Sols, as you'll need the actual VDM module for those and you can get the Lite.

At least three of the forum sponsors have very good pricing on them: Red Coral (I just got their last one), J&L (only has the full Apex in stock last time I checked), and Go Reef (don't remember what their stock is like). I've found that the pH probes are an extra cost for either the Lite or the Apex. The standard pH probe was originally included in the Apex packages, but it looks like that has changed. So, if you want the pH probe you're paying for it either way.

If you want to run two pH probes right off the bat, the Apex can do that without an additional module. So, if you want VDM and a second pH probe, go with the Apex as then you will save money (unless you still need to purchase the VDM module for AI Sols . . . then you'll break even or save a couple of bucks).

You'll have lots of options for expandability and few (if any) limitations with either unit, so even if you just base your purchase on what is in stock and readily available you can't really go wrong (though you may pay a bit more in the end).

[tinman]

if you go full blown apex you can do top off and tunze 6055 pumps or any tunze controllable units with the cables supplied by neptune or add the wireless unit for the vortech all work very well for me
if you go apex lite you need to add the vdm for the tunze and any 0-10 volt control but you can still do top off with a float switch or 2 depending on how you set it up.

[habs247]

Originally Posted by tinman

if you go full blown apex you can do top off and tunze 6055 pumps or any tunze controllable units with the cables supplied by neptune or add the wireless unit for the vortech all work very well for me
if you go apex lite you need to add the vdm for the tunze and any 0-10 volt control but you can still do top off with a float switch or 2 depending on how you set it up.

This has me thinking. Would this mean i would be able to control my existing tunze ATO with the Neptune?

[tinman]

Originally Posted by habs247

This has me thinking. Would this mean i would be able to control my existing tunze ATO with the Neptune?

nope....well you could turn it on and off at certain times i guess. what i meant is you can control the 6055 and other controllable tunze circulation pumps with the 0-10 volt and make all your profiles . for me i dont run a tunze topoff system i just installed a float switch in my sump connected to the apex and just plugged my ato pump into the appropriate socket and with alittle programing and a virtual outlet or 2 you have an ato. i use one float switch in my ato water container so i dont run the pump dry and one in the sump to look after the sump level, when my ato container gets too low, apex shuts down the socket the pump is plugged into and sends me a message to my phone and wont do anything till i fill the container. this system has worked very well for me, it may not be useful for everyone, just my 2 cents, and if you are real crafty you can program the apex to perform water changes as well, this feature i really love!