Reefkeeper vs. Apex?

Neither. Check out www.reefangel.com OpenSource Andurino controller that costs half that of an APEX with same features. Can get desktop software for free on the forum that was built by the community. I dont own one but have always wanted to get one when I could afford it.

 

I think the Reefkeeper is a piece of crap. DA is about three years behind the curve, all the time. I had the RK2 and while it is true they have updated the unit, it was a piece of crap.

I'm not going to say the Apex is the greatest thing ever, but I do love mine. Most people that have a controller on GIRS seem to have the Apex. There is plenty of support from within the club.

 

The build quality is fine. I just think their products are old before they are even new. The customer support was horrible previously, not sure how it is now. I was hesitant to switch to the apex because it seemed so complicated but once you get it figured out it all makes sense and you understand why things are sold separately, and also why there are so many expansion modules.

I wanted to initially spend $500 on the Apex and I bet I am in well over $1000.00 at this point, but I did it willingly.

For me, I travel a lot so I need a controller I can access via the web, phone, etc. with little hassle. It has worked flawlessly in that regard. Any problems I have ever had has been taken care of via neptune customer service or via the neptune forum on RC.

You could always get the apex light.

 

Or the Apex Jr. which is only $150 Limited I/O but if you just need something to keep your temps more stable, turn your lights on/off, plus a couple other things it's a great piece of equipment. Plus you can always expand the system but would cost more in the long run. Only downfall is it doesn't come with a display but if you have a PC, laptop, smartphone, or tablet + an internet connection/home network the display is kind of useless anyhow.

 

If you really want to monitor your ph and control your Sol's your better off with the full version then. Start saving the pennies.

 

Apex all the way!

 

I can see why you are confused.

Yes you can control your sols with the AI controller like you are now. Or for $100 you could buy an expansion module and control your sols with your apex. I may buy the expansion module down the road, but the AI controller does just fine for me at this time. So you are correct in saying the Sols control themselves. The only reason to run them through the apex is so you can control them via the web or phone.

Apex display...no real reason for having it. Most people control the apex from the web, phone, tablet. But you can buy one for $90 if you want

If I were to advise someone I would tell them to get the regular apex system, not lite or jr. It will be around $500. That unit will give you everything you need, and allow you to expand down the road if you want.

 

I guess the display comes standard with all the systems

 

I have the reefkreeper lite and can say it was really easy to set up ,with only exception being the net module still trying to figure that out. I have it controlling my lights , 3 different settings throughout the day. Controlling my heaters, have 2 on a 90 gallon. Have 2 dosing pumps on different time schedules. and using it as a wavemaker. It monitors temp and ph but also can do salinity if decide to buy that probe. Like I said my only gripe is monitoring out of home network because I can not figure it out. But from what I am understanding is all controllers have to be set up same way for out of home monitoring so it is just me and not controllers fault. I checked in to all the controllers and found this one did everything I needed for a fair price . Under 400.00 on bulk reef with net module which I may end up selling anyway. It really just comes down to what you want it to do and what your price range is. Good luck but hope this helps.

 

I agree - it all depends on what you want it to do and how much you want to spend for it. I went the low end route and bought a reef keeper lite 2 years and am perfectly happy with it. I initially used it for controlling the lights (T5's) and for a heater and a fan. We keep our house at 78 in the summer - and I reallly like having the fan on one of the ports to turn on and off based on the temp. I recently added a 2nd power bar for 2 dosing pumps and to turn my return pump on/off while feeding. I had a ph monitor before I got the RKL, so didn't bother to buy the component to hook into the RKL. Not sure I'd use it if I did. I don't have it hooked up to the network - but that's not a big deal for me either - and my system is doing great (knock on wood.....) The two line interface is somewhat limiting, but once you take the time to understand it, its not that difficult to use. So, bottom line is I have the automation I need and want - and total cost was $150 (bought the 2nd power bar used) + $50 for my PH monitor.

 

Apex Full hands down. I went through what you are going thru and decided to go Apex. Craig will hook you up and you will not regret buying the full at all. where I think you will buying a Lite or Jr. Before you decide come swing by and i will let you see how it works and how great it is and easy once you get the programing part. This is the key with controllers and that is the programing part. Call me and you can take a look ok


Bam.. lol

 

I've had an RK2, an RKE and an APEX. APEX wins HANDS DOWN. and the Reef Angel, if you thought the apex programming looked difficult and complex that RA is a whole other animal....with little user support!

 

i got the apex full, no display, just the base unit, a ph expansion module that way I can run 2x ph probes (one to monitor my tank and one for my calcium reactor, AND my ORP) then I got 2 8 outlet power bars so I have 16 switchable outlets. I also use the v1/v2/v3/v4 outlets to controll the dimming on my DIY led's. I think i spent around 700 bucks.


Reefkeeper has NO customer support either btw. The programming language isn't nearly as versitile as the apex system.

 

I am heavilly invested in an Reef Keeper Elite. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a 7 for ease of use. I'm sure that every system has its quirks and limitations...but the RKE and RKL have more than I would expect. Some are related to the hardware design, some to firmware glitches, and some seem random. Programing is limited but you can get creative with timers and alarms. I have used the support forum and worked directly with DA support and I would give both good ratings. My RKE gets me by and I plan to stick with it...but in hindsight, I think I personnally would have been more satisfied with an Apex. That may not be fair to DA since I haven't used an Apex; I can only compare my intimate knowledge of the RKE to what I hear other people say about their Apex.

 

The Reef angel is more then just the controller.... It comes with the temp, ph probe, pwm for dimming control, 8 controllable outlets, auto top off floats and many more features idk what you were looking at...... There is a forum on the website and the people there are very helpful and they will tell you how to enter the codes and give you the codes to enter so its really not that complicated.

$220 gives you everything that a $500+ apex does

add $100 for the wifi and control it from your phone ect



IMO you might want to look again at what the Reef Angel comes with.....

Great controller, great forums and customer service and for 220 comes with more then any other controller comes with

 

Reef Angel ControllerReef Angel Controller

What can I do?

Monitor Temperature Monitor pH

Control Heater Control Lights

Wavemakers Auto Top Off

Control Chiller Control Fans

LED Dimming Delayed Start

Increase/Decrease Speed on Controllable Fans Increase/Decrease Flow on Controllable Tunzes

Check Low Water Level (RO/DI container) Check High Water Level (Display/Sump Overflow)

Control Powerheads Control Skimmer

Control Return Pump Control Calcium Reactors

Control Media Reactors Control Kalk Reactors


Head Unit

•ATMega328P microcontroller running at 16MHz

•32K Flash memory for coding

•128x128 Color LCD screen

•64K EEprom memory (2 banks of 32K)

•Real time clock

•Battery backup for clock settings

•Thumb joystick with center select push-button

•PH monitoring

•3 temperature probe ports

•2 float switch ports

•Serial TTL port



Relay Box

•8 independently controlled outlets

•AC Input: 85-265VAC

•Max Load: 10A

•Max Load per outlet: 5A

•Choice of Analog or PWM Dimming signal

•Analog Output: 0-10VDC

•PWM Output Frequency: 500Hz

•PWM Output Amplitude: 10VDC

•3 prong USA type socket/plug available for other countries)



Package Contents

•Head Unit (32K memory)

•Relay Box

•HDDB15 Communication Cable

•PH Probe

•Waterproof Temperature Probe

•2x Float Switch

•2x Float Switch Connectors

•USB-TTL converter cable


This is what you get for $220

WIFI $109

AI cable $15

and upgrades are much cheaper

So for $344 you can get a reef angel with AI cable and wifi that has unlimited codes or you can get a $500 apex that does the same thing maybe less and the upgrades are more expensive compared to the reef angel... IMO