Best Controller- With Price in Mind!!!

IHaveCrabs

IHaveCrabs

Premium member
Looking for some suggestions on controllers to consider. Temp safegaurds, PH, and ATO are among the most important but I know I will get hooked and want more more more.

Let me know your thoughts!
 
From all the research i did apex wins over reefkeeper every time. If u want something simple and easy to use getthe reef keeper. If ur interested in crazy customization and can deal with programming then get the apex.

If u do the price comparison on the rkl with the internet module and the apex jr with screen (internet built in) the apex is cheaper by like $15. And that's comparing 2 similar set UPS.
 
Lil BamBam said:
Ok...here we go :D

Your spending price?
Do you want to control from phone?
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That is always the question. I guess I don't really need to control it from my phone but that sounds like an awesome feature. If the difference was $100, then definitely controlable via the phone... Pricewise, unsure yet.

Joe5688 said:
From all the research i did apex wins over reefkeeper every time. If u want something simple and easy to use getthe reef keeper. If ur interested in crazy customization and can deal with programming then get the apex.

If u do the price comparison on the rkl with the internet module and the apex jr with screen (internet built in) the apex is cheaper by like $15. And that's comparing 2 similar set UPS.
Click to expand...

What type of programming are we talking about here? Easy to learn or extremely complex?
 
Alex jr is controllable via phone/laptop with the base model. Reef keeper is not unless u get the net module.

U have to have an understanding of computer programming. I hear their manuals help a lot but a lot of people still have problems with it

As far as i know you can no longer get the apex jr without getting the screen.
 
this is gonna depend on how good you are with programming. For idiots like me i would much rather have a reefkeeper. it has an easy programming setup and if you get the right setup it will do what you need, but then again i dont care for web access or anything like that and i did sell off my previous controller.
 
+1 on the reefkeeper unless you want to go to APEX university. Once you get the degree the thing is great. Endless programability but complex and unnecesary for most. I had them both ,kept the Reefkeeper. This is one thing to consideer, if everything runs on 1 thing if it fails you are screwed. I use a seperate ATO, RKL controller does lights and temp. Mp40's control themselves in a slave master arrangement. The thing that sucks about the RKL is the PC4 costs $90 and the whole thing cost about $115. When I start dosing I will add another complete RKL which will add redundancy for temp control.
 
I am a plc programmer(not a very good one) and have used apex only to help people out(dont own one yet). Doesnt take much to steal someone elses code online and use it. I do the same at my job. Apex seems to keep bringing out updates for free and sticks by the product. I cannot comment on reef keeper.
 
zoomcorvette said:
+1 on the reefkeeper unless you want to go to APEX university. Once you get the degree the thing is great. Endless programability but complex and unnecesary for most. I had them both ,kept the Reefkeeper. This is one thing to consideer, if everything runs on 1 thing if it fails you are screwed. I use a seperate ATO, RKL controller does lights and temp. Mp40's control themselves in a slave master arrangement. The thing that sucks about the RKL is the PC4 costs $90 and the whole thing cost about $115. When I start dosing I will add another complete RKL which will add redundancy for temp control.
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Good point!!!
 
The apex may seem daunting at first, but once you read the manual, it's pretty easy. I bought an ATO that plugs right into it, took me all of five minutes how to figure out the programming. I'm by no means a programming wizard. IMO the hardest part is getting it networked. Once that's done, programming the outlets is fairly straightforward and the possibilities are endless as to what you can do with it.

The wizard even writes example code for you based on what you select, ie. pump, heater, reactor, etc. You can then go into advanced mode and edit the code that's generated for you. Plus you can call neptune and they will walk you through it from everything I read when I researched it. That would be handy if your not good with networking and going into your wireless routers home page to change stuff. I didn't need to call them, but it's nice that you have that option and everyone who has raved about how good their customer service is.
 
I have had experience with both, although not the newest RKE. I do agree with everyone, the RK interface is much simpler then Neptune's. But for my needs, the APEX does the job. And Neptune's interface is really not rocket science like many claim. In a sense, they are now both equalling out since neptune has been rolling out great updates (this applies to the newer APEX JR/APEX). Yes, the APEX is a bit more difficult especially if you want to do fancy things in advanced mode but i think it is a matter of dedication and patience which many of the stories i have heard fall short on.

Again, it will ultimately come down to what needs to be controlled, functions, and price but i will root for Neptune any day. I prefer the integration of functions, interface, and expandability compared to DA.

Now networking will stump most people regardless if it is DA or Neptune. With so many options for interent, routers, access devices, etc. it is a mess to get working for those that have never tackled it.

Keep asking questions, a quality controller makes a difference on one's tank. Good luck, Wiz.
 
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