which controller?

danrobberg · 11/05/2009, 05:24 PM

i am looking into buying a controller and am wondering what everyone suggests. im thinking of either a reefkeeper elite or an aquacontroller apex i think its called. i like the elite because it is reasonably priced and comes with everything you need. but which one is better?

BigAirHarper · 11/05/2009, 08:34 PM

I would be interested in some responses too. I am highly interested in the Apex Lite and I've been following the development of the Apex. However, I'd also like to hear from people who use the RKE. I have an iPhone so compatibility with that is a must

Captain · 11/06/2009, 08:29 PM

Customer support from Curt at Neptune is second to none. I am a believer!!!

Av8bluewater · 11/06/2009, 09:37 PM

I've had both.. Ended up with the Reefkeeper. I kinda liked the Apex a tad bit better but I got a bad one I sent back twice. Got frustrated and got a Reefkeeper.
There's a thread on reef central comparing the two.

Av8bluewater · 11/06/2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain

Customer support from Curt at Neptune is second to none. I am a believer!!!

I agree when you call there a guy picks up the phone. No press this and that to get to a real person.

James77 · 11/06/2009, 09:56 PM

The Apex is a little higher priced, but you get a few more usefule feature that cost/will cost more on the RKE. You get Tunze control and computer networking included. The RKE would cost an additional ~$275 for those features.

I owned the RKE, and just got the Apex yesterday after selling the RKE. I went with the Apex because:
1. Tunze control, less clutter without the 7095 controller/wires.
2. Naming the outlets, coming supposedly EOY for RKE, but unbelievable that it has taken them as long as it has to give that feature. This goes the same for the RKEs inability to name its timers. Using a cheat sheet to operate your $500 controller grows old really fast.
3. 2 pH probes. I use a calcium reactor and monitor both the reactior and tank. Apex's ORP can be used as an additional ph probe, you'd need to buy an additional module for the RKE to have 2 probes
4. computer/internet control. Apex has it built in. RKE cannot yet, another thing coming at the end of year.

As for the head unit itself. I preferred the RKE screen display and its color/contrast setting. However, the Apex is sleeker looking being smaller and shiny. I have no regrets as of yet switching from the RKE to the Apex.

Connecting everything on the Apex went very well, and everything worked right away(networking,email).

James77 · 11/06/2009, 10:00 PM

To add another thing, updating firmware was a snap with the Apex. You download the file and it updates everything automatically.

With the RKE, I had to disconnect each module and bring it to my computer and program each individually. I believe its another thing they will finally be addressing with the myReef software announced for the end of this year.

rbnice1 · 11/06/2009, 10:05 PM

I think either unit will be good for you. I went with the apex for 2 reasons.

1. I owned a AC Jr. so this is just a upgrade for the same system. Plus my old equipment worked with it.

2. I was travelking like 95% of the time and the internet conection and email alerts were important to me.

danrobberg · 11/06/2009, 10:43 PM

thanks alot for all the input guys. any idea when all the new features will be available for the rke. i really like the way it looks and and the screen color and everything.

James77 · 11/06/2009, 10:48 PM

Tunze control was announced but no date given. They say myreef will be the end of this year.

DaveMorris · 11/07/2009, 12:36 AM

The 2.0 firmware and myReef will put in place the necessary software support for future modules, such as the Tunze module. Both 2.0 firmware and myReef are slated to be released before the end of the year.

danrobberg · 11/07/2009, 12:50 AM

im not really concerned with the tunze controll part because i run a vortech. but what kind of features does the myreef have?

DaveMorris · 11/08/2009, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danrobberg

im not really concerned with the tunze controll part because i run a vortech. but what kind of features does the myreef have?

That has not been fully disclosed yet, but you can go to the DA support forum and download the current version of myReef for the RK2. The new version of myReef will be that and tons more. It will include the ability to monitor and control the system remotely. It should be out in a month or two.

11/05/2009, 05:24 PM	#1
danrobberg Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 962	which controller? i am looking into buying a controller and am wondering what everyone suggests. im thinking of either a reefkeeper elite or an aquacontroller apex i think its called. i like the elite because it is reasonably priced and comes with everything you need. but which one is better?

11/06/2009, 08:29 PM	#3
Captain Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 105	Apex Customer support from Curt at Neptune is second to none. I am a believer!!! __________________ The Captain Current Tank Info: 400 gal

11/06/2009, 09:56 PM	#6
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	The Apex is a little higher priced, but you get a few more usefule feature that cost/will cost more on the RKE. You get Tunze control and computer networking included. The RKE would cost an additional ~$275 for those features. I owned the RKE, and just got the Apex yesterday after selling the RKE. I went with the Apex because: 1. Tunze control, less clutter without the 7095 controller/wires. 2. Naming the outlets, coming supposedly EOY for RKE, but unbelievable that it has taken them as long as it has to give that feature. This goes the same for the RKEs inability to name its timers. Using a cheat sheet to operate your $500 controller grows old really fast. 3. 2 pH probes. I use a calcium reactor and monitor both the reactior and tank. Apex's ORP can be used as an additional ph probe, you'd need to buy an additional module for the RKE to have 2 probes 4. computer/internet control. Apex has it built in. RKE cannot yet, another thing coming at the end of year. As for the head unit itself. I preferred the RKE screen display and its color/contrast setting. However, the Apex is sleeker looking being smaller and shiny. I have no regrets as of yet switching from the RKE to the Apex. Connecting everything on the Apex went very well, and everything worked right away(networking,email). __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater Last edited by James77; 11/06/2009 at 10:08 PM.

11/06/2009, 10:00 PM	#7
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	To add another thing, updating firmware was a snap with the Apex. You download the file and it updates everything automatically. With the RKE, I had to disconnect each module and bring it to my computer and program each individually. I believe its another thing they will finally be addressing with the myReef software announced for the end of this year. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

11/06/2009, 10:48 PM	#10
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Tunze control was announced but no date given. They say myreef will be the end of this year. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

11/05/2009, 08:34 PM	#2
BigAirHarper Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Destin, Florida Posts: 513	I would be interested in some responses too. I am highly interested in the Apex Lite and I've been following the development of the Apex. However, I'd also like to hear from people who use the RKE. I have an iPhone so compatibility with that is a must

11/06/2009, 09:37 PM	#4
Av8bluewater Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 763	I've had both.. Ended up with the Reefkeeper. I kinda liked the Apex a tad bit better but I got a bad one I sent back twice. Got frustrated and got a Reefkeeper. There's a thread on reef central comparing the two.

11/06/2009, 10:05 PM	#8
rbnice1 Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cedar Hill Posts: 3,905	I think either unit will be good for you. I went with the apex for 2 reasons. 1. I owned a AC Jr. so this is just a upgrade for the same system. Plus my old equipment worked with it. 2. I was travelking like 95% of the time and the internet conection and email alerts were important to me.

11/06/2009, 10:43 PM	#9
danrobberg Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 962	thanks alot for all the input guys. any idea when all the new features will be available for the rke. i really like the way it looks and and the screen color and everything.

11/07/2009, 12:36 AM	#11
DaveMorris VP, SDMAS Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny San Diego, CA Posts: 1,309	The 2.0 firmware and myReef will put in place the necessary software support for future modules, such as the Tunze module. Both 2.0 firmware and myReef are slated to be released before the end of the year. __________________ Dave My 130g tank: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2387989 Current Tank Info: 130g build in progress

11/07/2009, 12:50 AM	#12
danrobberg Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 962	im not really concerned with the tunze controll part because i run a vortech. but what kind of features does the myreef have?