cerious how many use apex or reefkeepers

[lockrookie]

I have the apex lite and love it

[gregzz4]

Couldn't vote as there is a Reefkeeper Lite with variants, and the Elite with variants

Guess I'm in the minority so far. I use a Reefkeeper Elite.
From what I can tell from posts mine is much easier to program and has all the bell and whistle add-ons like Apex with a brand twist;
Apex supports the Ecotech MP/QD series while DA supports Tunze

DA also has additional modules like Apex;
Moonlights, dc pump controllers, dc light controllers, net modules etc etc ...

I went DA for the price and PC programmability
My unit supports up to 63 modules, and the new Archon supports up to 255 modules

[intarsiabox]

I used to run a ReefKeeper Elite. It was 1/2 price during a boxing day sale through Digital Aquatics directly . It did everything I needed it to with zero issues for much cheaper than an Apex. I sold it awhile back though as I now just have a FOWLR tank that uses a power and timer just fine. I'll admit though that after paying the long dollar for Ecotech lights with their own built in controls, wave makers with their own built in controls and ATO with it's own controls, having a very expensive controller was less appealing.

[rishu_pepper]

Another one here for full Apex, gonna run it on my new tank.

I think in a smaller tank with less stuff to mess with, you can get away with it. But for peace of mind and insurance for thousands of dollars of livestock and even your home, a good controller is a worthwhile investment Imo.

[reef-keeper]

I use an apex jr.

[garwood]

Im new to the reef scene and i dont understand why the need. My lights are fully programmable, my wavemakers are synced with controllers, my return pump /skimmer stay on 24/7. truthfully the only thing i can see to need a controller for is the heaters and that would be for safety incase heaters break down. I have had tanks all my life and never needed a email to tell me how my tank is doin...pls what am i missing?

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by garwood

Im new to the reef scene and i dont understand why the need. My lights are fully programmable, my wavemakers are synced with controllers, my return pump /skimmer stay on 24/7. truthfully the only thing i can see to need a controller for is the heaters and that would be for safety incase heaters break down. I have had tanks all my life and never needed a email to tell me how my tank is doin...pls what am i missing?

My heaters have a controller on them too. I have one set at 78 and then a back up set at 76 that has never come on. According to my thermometer my tank never varies by more than about 1/2 a degree. A controller comes in handy if you are controlling PH or doing something that effects it. An email saying that there is water on the floor or the power has gone out is nice to have as well. Turning off all the pumps for feeding with one button is handy but I have all my pumps on a single power bar so I can do this already without a controller. Being able to see all your tank parameters at once and log any rise and fall cycles can be done with a controller although this also leads to a lot of people constantly messing around with their tanks every time they see a change which can be bad as well. Some people have set up automatic water changes with their controllers as well. So I wouldn't say a controller is a requirement as all the equipment you buy is designed to run just fine by itself but some people just need it for peace of mind and if a hobby isn't relaxing what's the point?

[Myka]

I don't run a controller on my tanks, but many of my clients have them. From my experiences and talking with my clients, it seems the Reef Angel and Reefkeeper are the most user friendly to set up, the Apex is more challenging, and the Profilux is a damn nightmare. My personal pick would be Apex.

[The Codfather]

I have a profilux, I've never run an apex or rk, but I'm sure they're all relatively close to functionality. I do however like a controller that will allow me to mod my equipment for control.

Originally Posted by Myka

From my experiences and talking with my clients, it seems the Reef Angel and Reefkeeper are the most user friendly to set up, the Apex is more challenging, and the Profilux is a damn nightmare.

Running the profilux with the new control center is very straight forward.

[whatcaneyedo]

Full Apex here.
1. Turns the lights on and off according to a schedule and also if the tank gets too warm.
2. Shuts the return pump off if there is a flood or if the water level within the display tank raises too high.
3. Turns cooling fan and heater on and off as required to keep the temperature relatively steady (I need another cooling fan).
4. With a couple float switches and a maxi-jet pump it is my ATO.
5. Turns a solenoid on and off twice a week to replenish the evaporation top off RO/DI water reservoir.
6. Controls the flow pattern of two Tunzes.
7. Turns a CO2 solenoid on and off to maintain a steady pH in the Calcium Reactor.
8. Turns the mixing pump on and off for the Kalkwasser Reactor several times a day.
9. Sounds an alarm or sends me a text/email if one of the pH readings isn't right, or if the tank is too warm, or if its flooding etc.
10. Allows me to shut anything off or turn anything on from an internet connection.
11. Enables me to shut the pumps or skimmer down for a few minutes during feeding or maintenance at the touch of a button, then starts those back up again automatically.

All this within one handy handy controller for a modest cost... as opposed to having 10 or more individual devices that are not cross integrated. On the downside I do have 'all of my eggs in one basket', but after 5(?) years of operation I have have only had one problem and it was my own fault for getting the module wet.