Apex help?

[AndysReef]

I'm posting here because I got no replies in equipment.
right now I have a 55 gallon reef tank with a 30 gallon sump. Someday I want to get a controller to allow more automation. Which do you think would be best, the Apex, Apex lite, or Apex Jr? I want to be able to control most of my tank like when I'm gone and stuff. I also don't want to spend $500 on the apex if I would be fine with the apex lite or the jr. How hard are these to program/setup? I'm pretty good with tech stuff but I want to know how easy these are to use.
Thanks

[NTP66]

Personally, if you want to control everything, I'd just go straight to the Lite or full Apex, depending on your needs. I have an Apex Jr., because I figured I'd only care about a few things. One year later, I regret not getting the full Apex for the added ports and features.

[dapozer]

I just got a lite and have used it more than I thought. I was on the fence also but so happy I went with the Lite. JR is too small and upgrading/Adding can be costly. You will use all of the lite. cool units

[AndysReef]

Ok, and how easy are they to program/setup/control? Like I said I'm pretty good with the tech stuff but just wondering. Thanks ��

[Mark Bianco]

For 90% of everything you will setup you can just use the wizards, all you need to do is answer a few questions Like say for a lighting timer you enter Start time. and Stop time. Done! Yes that's is the very most basic, but as you learn you will be comfortable with the advance programming lanague. If I can do it anyone can...

Mark

[rldcpa]

I did not think I needed a controller when I first designed my tank...I thought what a waste of $500. Well now it controls my 2 heater, sump, pumps, LED's. Sump Light, water leakage sensors, PH, Temperature, skimmer, ATO, UV, UV pump and my Tunze programmable pumps.

Well, its not a waste and its not just to use remote control through your computer or cell phone. It warns me if something goes wrong and makes changes based on what is happening to my system.

For me, I got the full apex as I needed lots of sockets and wanted to add on...which I have. The full apex is worth it unless you know for sure you won't use the extra sockets and add-ons. I ran out of sockets quickly so got a second 8 socket bar.

Plan your tank properly and you will know which unit to get.

[NTP66]

Originally Posted by AndysReef

Ok, and how easy are they to program/setup/control? Like I said I'm pretty good with the tech stuff but just wondering. Thanks ��

Oops... forgot to answer this question. It's pretty easy to program for most things, IMO. The Comprehensive Guide that's on Neptune's site is a great reference manual, but this forum is probably the best resource for advanced programming. There are a lot of people here who know the system well and help out a lot (see the Neptune vendor forum).

[jokeefe727@aol.com]

This has been a nightmare since I first purchased it. The unit that was sent to me was defective. They tried for weeks to fix it and then decided it was the unit and they replaced it.Finally got it to work. worked for a couple of months. Now the same thing. It took a couple of I T guys to finally set it up on my computer and phone so I could program my lights and chiller. NOW here I go again. My tank is looking sad this is taking to long to get them to help me Holiday and weekend. PLEASE HELP OKeefes reef the fish and corals need HELP ASAP. Probably going to have to send it back or replace it again. Well over $500 invested. Think twice before you spend this kind of money for a controller. Week number 2 still not fixed .Apex is still trying to fix 1-5-14

[rldcpa]

Sorry you are having issues. Sometimes equipment of any type is defective.. Once they know its defective they should just send you a new one. I think they first want to be sure its the product that is defective and just not set up properly.

I have had no problems with mine but I did have to ask many questions on how to get it to work on the home computer, cell phone and also someone else's computer.

Let me say that once set up properly, its an amazing piece of equipment as it does everything from anywhere.

Also be sure to do the upgrades to the software and follow the instructions.

+1 for Apex

[DolphinzFan]

From personal experience. I would say get the Full Apex. I bought the Apex jr. and had to buy the WDM module to control my Kessil light. And to make things worse I added a MP10 now need to buy the VXM module. Which is all fine other than I can only have 1 more module as it only controls 5 total including itself. But I would sell my Jr. so I could get the full Apex. And last bad thing you only have 4 outlets. So 1 heater, 1 skimmer, 1 sump pump and 1 GFO reactor and it's full.

So after my little rant here buy the Full Apex!

[AndysReef]

So do you think I really need the full apex, or would the lite be just fine? Some say go with the full, others say the lite was fine. I would rather spend 370 bucks instead of 500 if I could, or if I didn't need the full apex.

[Grayhead]

If you have plans of expanding, then go full. BEtter price for what you get. IF you only want light and heater control, then get a lower tier model. If you are planning to monitor, top off, dose, any advanced funtions then the apex is the better choice. I just purchased mine recently. Definitely a learning curve but very doable

[NTP66]

Go to Bulk Reef Supply's site and look at the full details of the full Apex. It'll compare very single feature. The best thing to do is to plan ahead for future upgrades and see which model would work best and be most cost effective. There may be a feature in the full model that you need now (LED dimming ports, for instance).

[jokeefe727@aol.com]

2nd week with no apex to control my 240 gal. They have finally setup a phone fix for Monday . I pray that works. Corals not looking to good when you lose control.

[AndysReef]

Good luck!

[jokeefe727@aol.com]

Thanks from okeefes reef.

[rldcpa]

4 sockets is not enough...I use 15. Get the full apex.

[ElmoC]

When I was asking myself this question, I calculated out the full price of both units for what I wanted to do now and in the near future. The full apex was the better value. Yes, it does cost more at first, but it does save you more down the road. If you can afford the full unit to start with, that is probably the better one to go with.

[LobsterOfJustice]

The main difference is the presence of variable speed ports which are used for LED and DC pump dimming. If you KNOW you want 0-10v variable speed ports in order to control your pumps (tunze or jebao) or LED lighting, get the full. Otherwise you can get the lite and add a VDM later if you ever need variable speed ports (which is what I did).

FYI, they are discontinuing the lite, so you might want to order while you still can.

[jokeefe727@aol.com]

Update sent the unit back to Apex.

[Breadman03]

Originally Posted by AndysReef

So do you think I really need the full apex, or would the lite be just fine? Some say go with the full, others say the lite was fine. I would rather spend 370 bucks instead of 500 if I could, or if I didn't need the full apex.

I have DIY lights, which saved several hundred compared to a top tier light. As such, I need 3 plugs to control the lights. My skimmer and return take 2 more. My heater takes 1, but will soon be 2 plugs. My powerheads use 2 more. That's 9 plugs and my system is fairly basic. I also have a reactor and a sump light plugged into it just because the plugs are there, and have plans to add in some dosing equipment and a more failsafe ATO, both of which will require more plugs.

Yeah, the money adds up, but it's worth it for the freedom. I can now feel more comfortable taking a trip that lasts more than 2-3 days.

[jokeefe727@aol.com]

Update Apex is fixed still waiting on the unit to be returned going on 4 weeks without.