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Ann_A 
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 Topic: Neptune vs. Digital Aquatics
Posted: October 25 2011 at 12:08pm |
I am looking into getting a controller for my tank, but am not sure which to go with. I want the following things/capabilities:
- Light Timers- lunar, daytime, fuge separate contols
- Pump control-powerheads, return pumps, etc.
- Temp. Control- heater, fans, etc.
- PH & Temp. Monitoring- Temp and PH probes
- Wireless Capabilities- Control wirelessly, through PC, handheld device, etc. (AquaNotes for Neptune, DA???)
- Exlpandability- add more probes, outlets, controls, multiple tanks, etc.
- Good Customer Service
I am on a budget of about $500, so I am looking at getting the APEX (not LITE version) or the ReefKeeper Elite packages. My main question is which one and why?
Edited by Ann_A - October 25 2011 at 12:08pm
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ReefdUp
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Posted: October 25 2011 at 12:32pm |
Go with the Neptune APEX...you will not be disappointed. They have everything you listed above. I was sure I wanted an Elite until I actually did the research. I do not consider DA a "good" company. They continuously had problems with the Elite, promised fixes, and then delivered some of the fixes like a year later than what they originally promised...and then the cycle continued. When I bought my APEX, there was pretty much no way to run the Elite wirelessly. With the Apex you'll need a (forget the correct term) game consol wireless adapter to run wirelessly (so that'll cost a bit more). I bought the moonlight package to control lunar cycles (which is really neat). You can buy a specific Vortech controller to add on, but I found no real reason for me to purchase that. The Vortech controller itself is good enough. Plus, there's just about no better service than through Neptune. About the only downside I've found is the owner's manual. It's horrid. Thankfully there are a ton of dedicated users out there who have made an "unofficial" amazing manual, apps, and all sorts of other stuff. And, if you want to go really dorky, you can get a static IP address, and host your web stats. You can then access your aquarium from ANYWHERE in the world where you have access to the internet (phone, etc). So, let's say the APEX sends me an alert that the temp is too high, and that it has already done all the emergency protocol that I've programmed in. I can then get online from China (or wherever), and turn off even more lights on the aquarium...check to make sure all heaters are off, turn on more pumps, or whatever else. P.S. I think Neptune retired AquaNotes for the APEX...not sure what they're calling it now (my site is down since my equipment is all down too.) Regardless, you still have a website that will track your parameters and give you all control of your tank remotely.
Edited by Reef'd Up - October 25 2011 at 12:32pm
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www.reefdup.com
Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
200g, 75g, & 15g Systems
PADI Advanced Open Water
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Laird
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Posted: October 25 2011 at 12:38pm |
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Get the apex for sure.
And you don't have to get the gaming adapter, you can just hardwire it to your router. Thats what I do.
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Indefinite hiatus from sw aquariums.
Once I have my glorious return I'll set back up the following.
50 Gallon rimless cube.
180 Gallons mixed reef paradise
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ReefdUp
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Posted: October 25 2011 at 2:13pm |
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We didn't have that option with the last house...and still don't at this house. Depends on your setup.
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www.reefdup.com
Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
200g, 75g, & 15g Systems
PADI Advanced Open Water
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Laird
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Posted: October 25 2011 at 2:16pm |
 Reef'd Up wrote:
We didn't have that option with the last house...and still don't at this house. Depends on your setup. |
?
You mean to plug it into the wall? Thats not what I meant.
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Indefinite hiatus from sw aquariums.
Once I have my glorious return I'll set back up the following.
50 Gallon rimless cube.
180 Gallons mixed reef paradise
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Sculpin
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Posted: October 25 2011 at 3:20pm |
I've owned the AC2 and then the AC Apex. They are great systems but my AC2 crapped out on me about a year ago. I did run for 3 years though with out a problem mind you. My Apex started having problems a month ago when the display module went black and the Energy-bar 8 started shutting outlets down or leaving them on all the time. This was not good because one of them was for my heaters and the tank got up to 85 degrees before I had a chance to noticed.
Getting in contact with the company for customer support was very difficult. They only have one line and no call waiting. Every time I called i got the busy signal. Finally I downloaded a redialing app and it just called and called and called until I got through. Once I got a hold of them they were helpful but they are sticklers to policy (one year warranty and you better have your receipt). We finally worked through the problem by reinstalling the firmware which was not an easy task mind you, but two hours later it was working normally again.
If there was something better I'd go for it but I've been told they are the best. I wouldn't call their interface or customer service user friendly.
I'm not trying to bash on them, this has been my experience.
Micah
Edited by Sculpin - October 25 2011 at 11:55pm
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Rara
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Posted: October 25 2011 at 3:47pm |
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I have an Apex Lite and would highly recommend it. There is also a very knowledgeable group of users over on Reefcentral.com and also the Unofficial Guide.
Is that $500 budget for the base unit and additional modules and probes?
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badfinger
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Posted: October 25 2011 at 4:17pm |
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Neptune all the way!.... I think their customer service is great. I have had them email till almost 10pm our time to get a problem fixed
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MIK3B
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Posted: October 25 2011 at 5:38pm |
I have the ReefKeeper and have had issues, but the customer support is great as well - email and phone support (they do answer the phone, I've called them 3 times and never was on hold for more than 3 minutes) and the forums are pretty good and responsive too, but I think the cost was the biggest factor for me - they are a bit less expensive although most would say that you get what you pay for.
The manual is also non existent and the programming isn't the most intuitive but with the help of phone and email support and the forums, it's nothing you can't get around.
I do love the NET module, it generates an RSS feed and web page that I can remote into or program from but also emails me if there's a parameter out of spec and there are also 2 free iPhone apps out there for the ReefKeeper systems and myReef PC computer control as well. No Mac support though. 
One thing I really do like is that if you get the Reefkeeper Lite (RKL) you can upgrade to the RKE by trading in your RKL and an additional $150. Not many other manufacturers offer that kind of trade in/upgrade path. The RKE will support unlimited modules, whereas the RKL only supports 4. I have 2 PC4 (power bars) and SL1 (monitors ORP, temp and pH) and the NET so I am maxed out and will upgrade to the RKE eventually, but funds are tight right now.
One thing I HATE about it is any time you have a problem or have to reset the modules (because of a glitch, error or fluke, which does happen) even if it's just to update the firmware, you have to reprogram everything. There is apparently no way to do a backup and restore of your settings, controls and timers. That boggles my mind...with as much as these controllers do, there's no way to do a backup that you can restore programming from?
Maybe Apex is the same way, I am not familiar with their setups, but they'll do pretty much all the same things - pH, salinity, ORP, Lunar/Storm modes, Advanced pump control and like the Vortech controls on the Apex, DA teamed up with Tunze to control their pumps or program wavemaker patterns. Very expandable and you can do the same wireless gaming adapter as you'd do on the Apex. I just ran an Ethernet cable and put an extra PC I had next to the tank cause I didn't want to fuss with yet another wireless device!
I've heard many say that the Apex is flat out better, and from the general consensus and comments here, I'd have to say that it seems to be the case although I am pretty happy with my setup up to this point, and I got a great deal on it and can upgrade when I am ready.
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ReefdUp
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Posted: October 25 2011 at 8:05pm |
Laird wrote:
Reef'd Up wrote:
We didn't have that option with the last house...and still don't at this house. Depends on your setup. |
?
You mean to plug it into the wall? Thats not what I meant. |
Our router is on a different floor than the tank, so we had to have the gaming adapter for wireless capability.
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www.reefdup.com
Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987
200g, 75g, & 15g Systems
PADI Advanced Open Water
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Corey Price
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Posted: November 02 2011 at 12:50pm |
MIK3B wrote:
No Mac support though.
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Well, that rules me out. Just bought my second Mac. First one went dead after I poured water in it (oops) but it was four years old and was about time.
I'm thinking of an Apex as well to upgrade our ACIII at work. The DC8 on our work tank has a bad socket and I'm tempted to upgrade. I'll just tag along on this thread...
Corey
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MIK3B
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Posted: November 02 2011 at 1:20pm |
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Ouch, yeah liquid doesn't mix well with electronics! I've worked with Macs (and PC's) for 20 years and I've seen a few survive water damage if they're powered off and the water is fairly pure, but not many.
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Ann_A
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Posted: November 03 2011 at 9:11am |
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Dang! That sucks... my brother dropped his iPhone in the lake when he was on a jet ski (heaven only knows why he was stupid enough to take it with him in the first place).
So the general consensus seems to be that Neptune Systems is better, right?
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Rara
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Posted: November 03 2011 at 10:07am |
Ann_A wrote:
Dang! That sucks... my brother dropped his iPhone in the lake when he was on a jet ski (heaven only knows why he was stupid enough to take it with him in the first place).
So the general consensus seems to be that Neptune Systems is better, right? |
That was my conclusion.
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Jeffatpm
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Posted: November 03 2011 at 10:35am |
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APEX ALL THE WAY
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210 Reef with loads of LEDS
Large Fishey Room
Located Near Jordan Landing in West Jordan.
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